Tank Size And Number Of Fish

[eekaneel]

What would you guys say is the general rule of thumb for fish to gallons like is it how big the fish will grow? I just dont want to over crowd a tank.

 

[AllAboutSwords]

It has to do with the size of the fish and the size of the tank. The size of the tank will not stop a fish from growing, so you need to be sure that the species you select can grow into adulthood and still live comfortably in the tank. As far as population, you can flirt with that number a bit, but you have to understand that the more fish you have, the more waste will be present in the aquarium. That means much more time cleaning and more water changes of more volume more often. There really isn't a general rule of thumb. Just use common sense, and ask if you need to. Don't listen to anyone who tries to tell you that you can have as many inches of fish as you have gallons of water in the tank. That's an insane rule of thumb that just needs to disappear.

 

[Caprichoso]

It is an insane rule but I get why it's been thrown around a lot. People need rules and boundaries or they tend to go "hog wild" and it's usually at the expense of the fish. It's merely a guide for newbies who may not know about proper fish care. When you've been in the hobby awhile, you realize that when you do lots of water changes and over filter, you can have lots of fish. For someone who's just starting out, it's in their best interest to not put too many fish in their tank until they get used to maintaining their fish tank. So the question I have for you, eekaneel is this: How big is your tank? What is your filtration? What type of fish are you planning on? Are you willing to do weekly cleaning of gravel, water, and filters?

 

[eekaneel]

It is an insane rule but I get why it's been thrown around a lot. People need rules and boundaries or they tend to go "hog wild" and it's usually at the expense of the fish. It's merely a guide for newbies who may not know about proper fish care. When you've been in the hobby awhile, you realize that when you do lots of water changes and over filter, you can have lots of fish. For someone who's just starting out, it's in their best interest to not put too many fish in their tank until they get used to maintaining their fish tank. So the question I have for you, eekaneel is this: How big is your tank? What is your filtration? What type of fish are you planning on? Are you willing to do weekly cleaning of gravel, water, and filters?

thank you both for your responses. At the moment im looking for a tank(ranging from 90 gallons to 125). What would you recomend filtration wise, I understand I have a lot of reading to do, salt water is different then fresh . The fish theme i guess you can call it is a predator based tank. I know for sure i want a zebra moray eel, possibly a puffer, and a lionfish (im still looking att other options but these three are what I know I want. I will keep reading to make sure they will all be a good match with each other and will always keep them fed. As for cleaning I dont think anyone wants to clean every week (im sure there is a few though who love it) I want to keep it to a minimum but I understand that is a part of keeping these fish and would be willing to do it.

 

[Caprichoso]

I can't really comment on marine tanks, never had one but I do know that you can't keep as many fish in a marine tank as you can in freshwater. Are you sure you want to go to the dark side Just kidding, I'm sure you'll have fun with it.

Good luck

 

[eekaneel]

I can't really comment on marine tanks, never had one but I do know that you can't keep as many fish in a marine tank as you can in freshwater. Are you sure you want to go to the dark side Just kidding, I'm sure you'll have fun with it.

Good luck

Lol thank you my dad and I have kept freshwater fish for a long time and my mom has been beging me to get a salt water because "she likes all the pretty fish and coral" but I also like all the aggresive fish and eels

 

[joshrm115]

Well there are fresh water eels and beautiful fresh water fish even sting rays.. and a 120 g salt water tank would be super duper expensive u would need at least 60 pounds of live rock and salt isn't cheap either but if u want to put the money into it it would look Awsome and as fare as stocking goes if u have proper filtration u can fit allot more fish in it then u would think if the filter says 30-60 that means 30 g not 60 u always want at least double so if ur trying to filter 120 salt water u need at least 200 g plus filtration system

 

[eekaneel]

Well there are fresh water eels and beautiful fresh water fish even sting rays.. and a 120 g salt water tank would be super duper expensive u would need at least 60 pounds of live rock and salt isn't cheap either but if u want to put the money into it it would look Awsome and as fare as stocking goes if u have proper filtration u can fit allot more fish in it then u would think if the filter says 30-60 that means 30 g not 60 u always want at least double so if ur trying to filter 120 salt water u need at least 200 g plus filtration system

Yes I know how beautiful fresh water is too I have looked into eels and stingrays, freshwater stingrays are illegal here well I keep reading, looking, and asking questions thanks for the info it will be very helpful!