Just How Many Fish
- Thread starter Genesis
- Start date
It depends on what you want.
Your tank is about 11 US gallons, so techically you can have 11 inches.
But that reall depends on what fish you want.
See, if you had 2 dwarf gouramis, you could have 2, nothing else. Even though they only grow about 3 inches.
But say, with neon tetras, you could keep maybe 15.
Your tank is about 11 US gallons, so techically you can have 11 inches.
But that reall depends on what fish you want.
See, if you had 2 dwarf gouramis, you could have 2, nothing else. Even though they only grow about 3 inches.
But say, with neon tetras, you could keep maybe 15.
dwarfgourami
Fish Connoisseur
First there is the 1 inch/gallon rule, this only works for slimbodied fish (like small tetras or guppies). You should for instance be able to keep 5 female guppies (at 2 inches each) in a 11 gallon. Remember it is ADULT size that counts. Even if your CAE is only a few inches long now, he will grow up to 10 inches if properly cared for.
Then you need to research your individual fish, to get at the other rules. Some fish are:
territorial- you cannot keep 2 redtailed sharks in the same tank even if the inch/gallon rule seems to allow it, 2 male dwarf gouramis would also be a bad idea. Male bettas are likely to be aggressive not only to other male bettas but also to other fish with long flowing fins (like male guppies). Kribs can cause problems at breeding time as they want to take over a small tank and keep everybody else hemmed into a corner.
heavy waste producers- you need to allow a lot more room for a fish like a pleco, otherwise they will poison the tank with their waste
fast swimmers- it is cruel to keep danios in a 5 gallon, they need the room to move, at least 20 gallons
predatory- birchirs with small fish is not going to work (well, the birchir will be happy
), adult CAE's also cause problems
sexually aggressive- keeping livebearers in a ratio of less than 2 females per males can be very stressful, kribs are best in pairs
fin-nippers- e.g. lemon tetras or tiger barbs are not safe with longfinned tank mates
schoolers- fish that need to be kept in schools (e.g. danios, many barbs, most tetras, glass catfish, corys) will feel stressed out if this need is not satisfied; this can lead to them either getting very aggressive or timid and more prone to disease. moral: if you have not got the gallonage for a proper school, do not keep this type of fish.
heavy breeders- if you are going to keep livebearers, or a pair of kribs or convicts, it is a good idea to think through the implications of them breeding first. Livebearers (guppies, swordtails, platys, mollies) almost certainly will, convicts and kribs may. Have you got spare room for any fry, survival of the fittest is all very well, but they may not all be eaten, is there a contingency plan?
There, have I forgotten anything, folks?
Obviously, not all these factors are going to apply in your present tank, genesis, just thought I'd rattle it all off while I was at it. In your case, I would reserve that 11 gallons for either a pair of dwarf gouramis or a pair of kribs. You will need to be quite good about your water changes as dwarf gouramis in particular can be a little sensitive. If I understood you right, there may be a bigger tank coming for the rest (MTS, it happens to us all...). I would still see about getting the CAE rehomed. IMO lfs should not be selling this fish without a warning sign.
Then you need to research your individual fish, to get at the other rules. Some fish are:
territorial- you cannot keep 2 redtailed sharks in the same tank even if the inch/gallon rule seems to allow it, 2 male dwarf gouramis would also be a bad idea. Male bettas are likely to be aggressive not only to other male bettas but also to other fish with long flowing fins (like male guppies). Kribs can cause problems at breeding time as they want to take over a small tank and keep everybody else hemmed into a corner.
heavy waste producers- you need to allow a lot more room for a fish like a pleco, otherwise they will poison the tank with their waste
fast swimmers- it is cruel to keep danios in a 5 gallon, they need the room to move, at least 20 gallons
predatory- birchirs with small fish is not going to work (well, the birchir will be happy
), adult CAE's also cause problemssexually aggressive- keeping livebearers in a ratio of less than 2 females per males can be very stressful, kribs are best in pairs
fin-nippers- e.g. lemon tetras or tiger barbs are not safe with longfinned tank mates
schoolers- fish that need to be kept in schools (e.g. danios, many barbs, most tetras, glass catfish, corys) will feel stressed out if this need is not satisfied; this can lead to them either getting very aggressive or timid and more prone to disease. moral: if you have not got the gallonage for a proper school, do not keep this type of fish.
heavy breeders- if you are going to keep livebearers, or a pair of kribs or convicts, it is a good idea to think through the implications of them breeding first. Livebearers (guppies, swordtails, platys, mollies) almost certainly will, convicts and kribs may. Have you got spare room for any fry, survival of the fittest is all very well, but they may not all be eaten, is there a contingency plan?
There, have I forgotten anything, folks?
Obviously, not all these factors are going to apply in your present tank, genesis, just thought I'd rattle it all off while I was at it. In your case, I would reserve that 11 gallons for either a pair of dwarf gouramis or a pair of kribs. You will need to be quite good about your water changes as dwarf gouramis in particular can be a little sensitive. If I understood you right, there may be a bigger tank coming for the rest (MTS, it happens to us all...). I would still see about getting the CAE rehomed. IMO lfs should not be selling this fish without a warning sign.
Bloo
~ I learn something new ~ ~~~~ every day ~~~~
[quote name=''genesis' post='1063665' date='Feb 5 2006, 11:57 AM']
lol, 4 months later and ive done everything you said
[/quote]
And what are your results and current situation now ?
lol, 4 months later and ive done everything you said
[/quote]
And what are your results and current situation now ?
[quote name='bloozoo2' post='1063680' date='Feb 5 2006, 06:14 AM']
[quote name=''genesis' post='1063665' date='Feb 5 2006, 11:57 AM']
lol, 4 months later and ive done everything you said
[/quote]
And what are your results and current situation now ?
[/quote]
Yes, just read Dwarfgourami's wonderful response and am curious myself. Also to be social and do a slight hijack, hey Bloozoo, long time no see! How's the planted tank coming after your long vacation? I hope you had a good time. Sorry for the slight, social hijack, genesis, it's all about you now.
[quote name=''genesis' post='1063665' date='Feb 5 2006, 11:57 AM']
lol, 4 months later and ive done everything you said
[/quote]
And what are your results and current situation now ?
[/quote]
Yes, just read Dwarfgourami's wonderful response and am curious myself. Also to be social and do a slight hijack, hey Bloozoo, long time no see! How's the planted tank coming after your long vacation? I hope you had a good time. Sorry for the slight, social hijack, genesis, it's all about you now.
Bloo
~ I learn something new ~ ~~~~ every day ~~~~
[quote name=''genesis' post='1063707' date='Feb 5 2006, 12:49 PM']
my results are a nicely stocked 50gal full of happy feeshies
[/quote]
That's great news ! Hope it continues to go well.
We all learn on here - it's how we apply what we learn that counts.
[quote name='lljdma06' post='1063691' date='Feb 5 2006, 12:27 PM']
hey Bloozoo, long time no see! How's the planted tank coming after your long vacation? I hope you had a good time. Sorry for the slight, social hijack, genesis, it's all about you now.
[/quote]
I will try to update with pics later tonight. I remember when you went on holiday, you returned to a massive ball of algae in your tank didn't you ? Well after a month's holiday, I was fully expecting the same (or worse) - but only I returned to a tank with crystal clear water and the bare minimum of algae
I'll update my thread later when I have time to take and post pics thanks for asking !
my results are a nicely stocked 50gal full of happy feeshies
[/quote]
That's great news !
Hope it continues to go well.We all learn on here - it's how we apply what we learn that counts.
[quote name='lljdma06' post='1063691' date='Feb 5 2006, 12:27 PM']
hey Bloozoo, long time no see! How's the planted tank coming after your long vacation? I hope you had a good time. Sorry for the slight, social hijack, genesis, it's all about you now.
[/quote]
I will try to update with pics later tonight. I remember when you went on holiday, you returned to a massive ball of algae in your tank didn't you ? Well after a month's holiday, I was fully expecting the same (or worse) - but only I returned to a tank with crystal clear water and the bare minimum of algae
I'll update my thread later when I have time to take and post pics
thanks for asking !Similar threads
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