Inch Per Gallon Rule

[faildeadly]

Is the Inch per Gallon rule still the way to work out how many fish a tank can hold? If so, is that Imperial or US Gallons? I'm not planning on stocking my new tank full at the start, just wanted to know it's potential limits (It's a 76 litre tank so roughly 17 Imp G and 20 US G).

Ta muchly.

 

[fluttermoth]

Well, it's not a rule, but it can be a useful guidleine.

Do remember that it applies only to small tropical fish and that you must use the eventual, adult size of the fish for your calculations and not the size they are when you buy them

There are many other considerations to be taken into account when stocking; swimming space for one. For example, zebra danios need a lot more length for swimming than something like glowlight danios do, even though they're a similar size.

It would be really helpful to post the dimensions of your tank when you're asking about stocking

 

[Salam]

+ 1 to what fluttermouth said.

Also, you need to consider where the fish usually stay in the tank. Cories are bottom dwellers for example, gouramis stay more on the top of the tank, platies, guppies etc. roam across the whole tank. Basically, try and get a good mix of each, so you have fish on all swimming levels.

 

[doresy]

Just to add, just because the 'rule' says that in your tank it's ok for 17" of fish it doesn't mean that, say, a 17" common pleco would be happy in it!

OK so that pretty obvious but you see what I am getting at

 

[Salam]

Just use common sense when it comes to stocking.

What are you thinking of adding anyway? Have you got any ideas yet?

 

[Moby-Krib]

The 1" per gallon rule is rubbish.Can be used if nothing other to base on but not a good rule at all.
Tank footprint + habits and size + social needs of fish+ filtration.
All is complicated really and no one size fits all solution exists .

Research is the only way, and still not fail safe. experience trumps all and still not a tell all.
We are practicing fish keepers, as no one person has ALL the answers in all situations or scenarios .

 

[faildeadly]

I really like the gold comet swordtails but not sure what else would work with it. A friend has a very small plec that she is going to gift to me but other than that I'm open to suggestions. I quite like guppys too, and green tiger barbs however wouldn't consider putting then in together.

 

[minnnt]

You need to find out what the 'small plec' is before you take it really. It could be a tank buster.

 

[Moby-Krib]

You need to find out what the 'small plec' is before you take it really. It could be a tank buster.

So true, identify the plec first, a dwarf bn ok. but a common and your done. difference between a 3-5inch fish and a 2 foot monster.

 

[faildeadly]

I think it may be a common plec, which would therefore make it unsuitable for my set up. The impression I got from my lfs (which has now closed down incidentally) was that plecs 'do the rounds' moving from tank to tank as they got larger...

 

[stu40]

The 1" per gallon rule is rubbish.

Flawed, yes.
Rubbish, no.
When you're a beginner, there's so much to learn & research, that i think having at least one constant defined, helps.
Till you learn better, and can then adjust.
Just an opinion

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

In a 76l tank I would start at a maximum of ~35cm of fish at their expected adult size, not the size of the babies you see in fish stores. For example, 6 Dwarf Chain Loaches.

Like stu40 wrote above, with positive experience you could add a bit more, but going crazy with abitious stocking levels early on in the hobby rarely ends well for the fish.

 

[Moby-Krib]

The 1" per gallon rule is rubbish.

Flawed, yes.
Rubbish, no.
When you're a beginner, there's so much to learn & research, that i think having at least one constant defined, helps.
Till you learn better, and can then adjust.
Just an opinion

Fair enough, I withdraw the term rubbish but stand that much more is involved after the introductory period.
research is key and experience is lesson never forgotten.

 

[stu40]

In a 76l tank I would start at a maximum of ~35cm of fish at their expected adult size, not the size of the babies you see in fish stores. For example, 6 Dwarf Chain Loaches.
Like stu40 wrote above, with positive experience you could add a bit more, but going crazy with abitious stocking levels early on in the hobby rarely ends well for the fish.

call me Stu

Fair enough, I withdraw the term rubbish but stand that much more is involved after the introductory period.
research is key and experience is lesson never forgotten.

defo