Confused As To How Many Fish

[Beemeeup]

i have seen a calc. that says i can have fish of 1 cm to every 12 sq cm. if the tank surface area is 3420 sq cm - does this mean i can have 70 fish averaging 4 cm long? - seems a lot!

the tank is 38.5 uk gallons - 175 litres

can any one help please?

 

[franyjayne]

There's loads of calculators under the tools section on here ... http/www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/home.php



You have to join up though. I found it really helpful when I first started!

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Most of these rules are just general guidelines, sort of rule of thumbs if you like, to help you narrow down your search for finding fish suitable for your tank. They are not an exact science- you will still need to thoroughly research your fish, and even if you do find a fish that can technically fit in your tank, other factors may make it unsuitable for your tank (like activity levels and social/habitat needs).

 

[Griz]

Better to tell us the size of the tank and what fish you are hoping to add to it. Generalized rules and these calculators are often not correct. There are just too many variables to take into account. They are no substitute for experience and specific research.

 

[Beemeeup]

Better to tell us the size of the tank and what fish you are hoping to add to it. Generalized rules and these calculators are often not correct. There are just too many variables to take into account. They are no substitute for experience and specific research.

thanks for advice - tank is 175 litres - 38.5 gallons

what about - corydoras trilineatus 5
platies 6
bristlenose 1
bolivian / dutch ram 2
siamese algae eater 1
dwarf gourami 2

 

[andywg]

I see no great problem with that, so long as the stocking is done over time and the filtration and water change regime are maintained correctly.

I laugh whenever I think of the 1" per gallon rules etc when looking at my tanks. Most are at least 2" per gallon, if not more.

As already pointed out by Toxis, they are guides meant to stop someone just stocking the tank to the gills.

 

[Beemeeup]

I see no great problem with that, so long as the stocking is done over time and the filtration and water change regime are maintained correctly.

I laugh whenever I think of the 1" per gallon rules etc when looking at my tanks. Most are at least 2" per gallon, if not more.

As already pointed out by Toxis, they are guides meant to stop someone just stocking the tank to the gills.

when the tank is fully cycled i will have to put in my full compliment of fish straight away as i need to maintain the amonia levels. i would like more fish but not sure which ones - i think i will drop the dwarf gourami as i understand they are shy fish , not use to noise in a living room and may be deklicate fish to maintain.

 

[dwarfgourami]

when the tank is fully cycled i will have to put in my full compliment of fish straight away as i need to maintain the amonia levels. i would like more fish but not sure which ones - i think i will drop the dwarf gourami as i understand they are shy fish , not use to noise in a living room and may be deklicate fish to maintain.

You don't have to put in absolutely every last fish, you can always hang fire on a few of the more sensitive ones. My fishlessly cycled tanks I have stocked at about 1/2 to 2/3 capacity after finishing the cycle, and then built up the rest slowly. Mainly because I wanted a couple of fish that are better in mature tanks (though come to think of it, I never got those dwarf gouramis!), partly because I wanted to leave room for fish to breed (they did!), partly because I wanted a bit of a margin with a new tank.

 

[Beemeeup]

when the tank is fully cycled i will have to put in my full compliment of fish straight away as i need to maintain the amonia levels. i would like more fish but not sure which ones - i think i will drop the dwarf gourami as i understand they are shy fish , not use to noise in a living room and may be deklicate fish to maintain.

You don't have to put in absolutely every last fish, you can always hang fire on a few of the more sensitive ones. My fishlessly cycled tanks I have stocked at about 1/2 to 2/3 capacity after finishing the cycle, and then built up the rest slowly. Mainly because I wanted a couple of fish that are better in mature tanks (though come to think of it, I never got those dwarf gouramis!), partly because I wanted to leave room for fish to breed (they did!), partly because I wanted a bit of a margin with a new tank.

i agree - my notes for some of the fish e.g. corys need a mature tank - i was a bit worried about keeping up ammonia levels for the bacteria