Can Someone Explain...

[Axyadbad]

Just a question I've pondered for a while but never thought to post. I don't mean to offend anyone, I'm just curious.
 
Why is it recommended that for zebra danios or rummy nose, that a three foot tank should be the minimum. These fish are only 2" long, admittedly they are active. In contrast, for a 1 foot fish like an oscar, a 6 foot tank is considered 'adequate. 
 
I'm not questioning people keeping larger fish, but the comparable area that the larger fish has is much smaller, in terms of length, height and depth than for smaller ones. I'm just wondering what the reasoning behind this is?
 
 
 

 

[DrRob]

A huge part of this is that you're comparing shoaling fish who don't cope well on their own with fish that do well on their own.

 

[Axyadbad]

How about a kribensis or a GBR for example. They require similar sized tank according to my research?

 

[fluttermoth]

Oscars aren't very fast swimmers; they're very manoeuvrable, but they don't need space to swim fast. Whereas zebra danios do like to dash about, so tank size has to take that into consideration.
 
What size tank recommendations are you seeing for kribs and rams?

 

[b3cca]

GBRs and Kribs are territorial so need a certain amount of space each to prevent aggression and stress.
 
10 schooling fish can easily live in close proximity to each other as that is natural to them whereas 10 individual territorial fish would each need to establish their own territories meaning they need far far more space and room.
You are judging everything purely on size of the fish and not taking into account the actual behaviour and individual needs of each different species.

 

[looking-glass]

GBRs and Kribs are territorial so need a certain amount of space each to prevent aggression and stress.
 
10 schooling fish can easily live in close proximity to each other as that is natural to them whereas 10 individual territorial fish would each need to establish their own territories meaning they need far far more space and room.
You are judging everything purely on size of the fish and not taking into account the actual behaviour and individual needs of each different species.

agreed

 

[Axyadbad]

Cool, thanks for the responses!