Too many fish?

texanstwoone

AC Members
Jul 9, 2007
220
0
0
houston
How do you know when a fish outgrows your tank are if there are to many fish in there?
 
you want few enough fish so that
1) they're comfortable, have enough room to swim, frolic, rest...
2) they're not outstripping the filtration system's ability to remove NH3 & poop
3) they're not feeling stressed
4) they can grow up and still meet all of the above conditions


I can't remember anyone asking "am I overstocked?" and the consensus being "no". So I always say, if you have to ask, you're probably overdoing it.
 
When water changes and your filters cannot keep up with the bio load you have too many fish. That's a sign that occurs too late.
 
that groupers gonna get HUGE too!!

i hear there great with a lil butter lime, and chillies! :lol:

its a real cool fish though.

as far as overstocking goes, theres the inch of fish tactic. (and thats the fish's full grown size, not current size)

but i just strive to understock.

i dont want to go riflein through yer busniess and such. but, based solely on yer avatar,

id say yer ready to loose the puffer, grouper, and i think thats an angel in the middle. (they're your biggest poop machines)
 
I'd say you're ready to lose quite a few. Tank size recommendations vary but as a general rule you need:

Bird Wrasse 70 -100 gal recommended
Emperor Snapper 180 - 200 gal recommended
Harlequin Tusk 50-55 gal recommended
Snowflake Eel 30-50 gal recommended
Sailfin Tang 125-135 gal recommended
Starry Puffer 300 gal recommended.

These are all minimum tank sizes stated which can be found in books and on various websites.
 
Yea, I think the puffer and Snapper will have to go soon. thanks
 
Yea, I think the puffer and Snapper will have to go soon. thanks

Haven't these guys been in this tank for a long time and been doing very well? You have been making vast improvments to the health of the system as well. I know that some of them should have larger tanks but if they have been doing good in a tank for a long long time is it necessary to remove them?
 
The Snapper and Bird Wrasse are about a month old. The others are about 8 - 14 months. I just didn't realize that the Snapper would get so big so fast. His tripled in size but all the fish have plenty of room. Yea, I couldnt get rid of any fish after all they been through. Unless the Snapper get's too big.
 
The Snapper and Bird Wrasse are about a month old. The others are about 8 - 14 months. I just didn't realize that the Snapper would get so big so fast. His tripled in size but all the fish have plenty of room. Yea, I couldnt get rid of any fish after all they been through. Unless the Snapper get's too big.


Ahhhh ok... I was mistaken then. I thought they had been in there much longer than that. Just see how it goes and have a exit plan if it's needed. It would be much better to plan on a peaceful exit plan rather than then running your bio load into the ground and/or them dieing due to stress.
 
AquariaCentral.com