How many fish for my 40 gallons tank?
- Thread starter BayBayBay
- Start date
What else is in there? Filtration, maintenance? Off hand--I'd say yes, overstocked. Possibly not in terms of filtration, but in terms of territory. Clowns that are established tend to be very unkind to additions, frequently killing them. And, different species have different needs and behaviors--what type of clowns and damsels are you dealing with?
Right now the clown and damsel is about 1.2 inches long. I have emperor 280 and a seaclone skimmer. no live rock. some lava rocks. I am thinking if I add them in early they will do OK. For water changes, I am thinking about 10% water change every 2 weeks. It is my first SW tanks. I have many FW tanks.
i agree with oriongirl. i think that 4 clowns and 2 damsels in a 40 gallon is asking for ripped fins and fighting fish.
I disagree that the tank would be overstocked. Your numbers for the six fish give about a .18 ratio of inches per gallon, which is extremely conservative.
Personally, I would probably dump the Damsel for a couple gobies or a Gramma, and maybe even add a dwarf angel. IMO, normal ratios for SW tanks can run easily to .3 inches per gallon if you have adequate filtration and compatible fish.
Personally, I would probably dump the Damsel for a couple gobies or a Gramma, and maybe even add a dwarf angel. IMO, normal ratios for SW tanks can run easily to .3 inches per gallon if you have adequate filtration and compatible fish.
Overstocking is subjective, but with the current fish in that tank, its going to start WW3 eventually even without new additions, eventually either the clown or the damsel will snap and attack one or the other.
inch per gallon ratios don't work for saltwater, it might seem like a good idea for small animals, but they wouldn't be true for say a large gropuer, trigger or larger fish. and they usually don't make sense.
im not saying 6 small fish is overstocked. im just saying that those particular 6 fish will more than likely not get along for very long. i think its just a tankmate problem.
Yes, being overstocked has a lot more to do with the temperaments of the fish. Clownfish are aggressive to fish that are similar to them. They are also territorial towards fish added after they are established. Damsels are mean little buggers and they are related to clownfish. I have 1 damsel in a 10 gallon tank and I won't put any other fish in there with him. Your clownfish probably will not tolerate any new clownfish in a tank that small. I plan on getting 1 or 2 clownfish for my 45 gallon tank, but I'm adding them last because they are by far the most aggressive fish that will be going in my tank.
If you want to round out you tank, maybe you could add a dwarf angel. Gobies are great for a tank that size, but if you add any, be sure to watch them closely. The clowns and damsel may bully them away from they food. Also, gobies require a tight-fitting lid, they are jumpers.
If you want to round out you tank, maybe you could add a dwarf angel. Gobies are great for a tank that size, but if you add any, be sure to watch them closely. The clowns and damsel may bully them away from they food. Also, gobies require a tight-fitting lid, they are jumpers.
Why would you say that ratio don't work?wastememphis said:
It's obviously more complicated than simple inches per gallon, but it's also hard to dispute that the ability of any system to support fish is clearly and directly related to the inches of fish in the tank.
IMO, ratios work espeically well in this case, because it's FO and you're obviously not looking at groupers, tangs or other large fish for a 40 gallon setup.
So, if you were shooting for a .25 (still conservative) ratio in a 40 gallon tank, you could look at something like 3 percs, Catalina and Clown gobies, a bicolor or flame angel and a Royal Gramma. That would give you about 10 inches of small fish, most likely compatible.
Ratios are one of the best tools that beginners can use to get a good start on a complicated and expensive hobby.