Pfk Stocking Levels

[jrussuk]

i have just looked at pratical fishkeeping website and i noticed the stocking levels on tanks that they review are quite high. I have a tropiquarium 55 which is a 10g tank so should hold 10" of fish but they say eventually it can hold up to 19" is this right?

 

[FrankSlapperinni]

The answer is variable. Depending on the fish, the filtration system, the maturity of the tank, water change frequency, it all depends on individual circumstances. If you posted what you have in mind someone may give you some information as to its feasibility, but other than that it is completely determined by those factors.
Keep in mind that things that appear in PFK (although I'm not familiar with the particular organization) are most likely maintained by highly experienced hobbyists, which may include overstocking, along with a high level of maintenance, for their particular tanks.

 

[Majjie]

Depends who you ask. The 1 inch per US gal is an American rule of thumb (surprise ). The more traditional English rule of thumb is 1 inch of fish per 10 - 12 sq. ins. of surface area (10 sq. ins. is quoted in the Interpet Manual of Fish Health 2002). This gives a higher stocking level. For the Tropiquarium 55 (20.5ins x 10.25 ins = 210 sq.ins) this would be between 17.5 and 20 ins of fish.

These guidelines only apply to small bodied fish though (because larger fish have proportionately more body mass), and don't take any account of very active fish that like more space.

I haven't looked at the PFK stocking levels - but they seem to be saying that the US rule of thumb is best for new tanks and that the UK one is ok for established tanks.

 

[lljdma06]

i have just looked at pratical fishkeeping website and i noticed the stocking levels on tanks that they review are quite high. I have a tropiquarium 55 which is a 10g tank so should hold 10" of fish but they say eventually it can hold up to 19" is this right?

Stocking depends on a few factors, of which inch per gallon is merely a guideline for less experienced aquarists and only pertains to smaller, slim-bodied, minimal waste-producing fish. Stocking depends on the size, behavior, and feeding habits of your fish. Stocking also depends on your maitenance schedule and filtration system. Stocking also depends on the environment you intend to create for your fish.

Yes, a 10g can eventually hold 19" of fish. Not a single 19" fish, not a group of 4, 4.5" fish, but a standard 10g (the kind with the standard 20"x10" footprint, LxW) can easily hold 19 inches worth of small (2" max adult size), slender-bodied, minimal waste producing fish. This is especially true if the tank is planted, which so many are these days, and if there is good filtration and water maintenance. It can probably even hold more, if the fish selection is wisely made and the tank has been cultivated to become a mature system. This type of stocking can even be employed by a less experienced hobbiest if proper research and planning were done before the initial tank setup.

Hope this helps a bit. I tend to stock tanks that this level, roughly 2 inches per gallon, but I also follow all the requirements I listed above. My stocking was very different when I kept goldfish. I do not keep cichlids, nor do I keep the oddballs or tank busters, or even large plecos. I don't really keep large fish, except my angelfish, which are in a 36g 21" deep bowfront that was properly setup and planned.

llj

 

[FrankSlapperinni]

Depends who you ask. The 1 inch per US gal is an American rule of thumb (surprise ).

Hey! I resemble that remark .

 

[Majjie]

Yes, a 10g can eventually hold 19" of fish. Not a single 19" fish, not a group of 4, 4.5" fish, but a standard 10g (the kind with the standard 20"x10" footprint, LxW) can easily hold 19 inches worth of small (2" max adult size), slender-bodied, minimal waste producing fish. This is especially true if the tank is planted, which so many are these days, and if there is good filtration and water maintenance. .............
llj

I agree. I stock at this sort of level with smallish fish and I too have heavily planted tanks. Not only does this improve the quality of the water but it means the fish can't all see each other all the time!

Depends who you ask. The 1 inch per US gal is an American rule of thumb (surprise ).

Hey! I resemble that remark .

 

[Tommo]

I no this isnt much help but in my opinion the 'rules' dont really mean much and stocking is up to the aquarists decision on what he/she believes their tank can cope with and what is best for their fish.

 

[sylvia]

I don't use any guidelines when stocking... instead I look at my nitrate levels and, if I can't keep them below 10ppm with just one weekly water change, I don't add any more fish. In planted tanks this means you can stock quite a bit. Obviously, you also need to look at whether the fish are becoming aggressive due to overcrowding, look cramped and not active, are getting sick often, aren't interested in spawning any more, are often left gasping for air etc. In practice, I tend to end up understocking - compaired to either the 'US' or traditional 'UK' guidelines - but this is because I like my fish to be able to spawn without all their tankmates eating their eggs/fry - at least not immediately.

I think it's absolutely true, though, that 19" of small, 1-1.5" fish will live happily in a 10 gallon. But I don't think this should be paraded as a guideline for new fish keepers.