We Need A New Fish Rule

[fishfishfish]

we all know a inch of fish per gallon right?well u obviously cant put an oscar in a 20 gallon.we need new ratios for large medium and small fish.

small(tetras...)=1 inch per gal
medium(gouramis...)=inch per 2 gals?
large(oscars...)=1inch per 5 gals?

help me edit the true rule

 

[demonmagus]

its not a rule, and only applies to small fish anyway, so it doesn't need to be rewritten, mearly ignored in many cases

 

[ghent_3rd]

I am getting a 45 gallon tank this week and I will certainly be stocking more than 45 neons by the time the stocking is complete in 6-12 months or so!!!

 

[Bignose]

Firstly, the amount of waste a fish will produce is primarily based upon the mass/volume of the fish. Consider that a 4 inch streamlined, torpedo-shaped rasbora will not be producing the same amount of waste as a rotund, beer-bellied 4 inch molly who is in a late-term pregnancy.

Secondly, as noted in the 1st post, the one inch per gallon rule becomes very silly in the limit of large fish. 20 one inch fish (like small tetras) can be very happy in a 20 gal tank, but obviously one 20 inch fish will not.

Thirdly, the species of fish enters into consideration. Fish from rapidly moving, highly oxygenated waters will require more water per fish than fish from slow moving stagnant ponds. This is where research becomes necessary. Also, some fish are very territorial. A 5 inch fish may claim much more than 5 gallons as its own personal space.

Finally, the fishkeeper's caretaking habits can change the balance as well. If you commit to increased water changes and caretaking, and you 'over-filter' your tank, you can get away with overstocking. But this is only recommended for the more experienced fishkeepers. Likewise, if you want to be lazier, you can plant your tank to help process the fishs' pollution but that requires an aquatic green thumb so-to-say. There are whole other issues for keeping aquatic plants alive.

Many, many factors that "one inch per gallon" cannot take into account. It is just a starting point, and a good place to help newer fishkeepers not run out and purchase as many fish as can fit in a small tank. To be completely accurate, all the above factors, and maybe several I have not even considered, need to be taken into account. Whatever the result will be, it will not be as catchy as "one inch per gallon" which again, is only a starting point.

 

[ghent_3rd]

Well put Sir!!!

 

[pica_nuttalli]

let's not forget this part either:
"one inch of fish per gallon for slim, pencil-shaped fish under 5 inches long"

 

[Synirr]

Properly stocking a tank is a fine art, I say. It's a skill that takes 15 minutes to learn, 15 years (well ok, maybe more like months, lol) to master . Once you're experienced you can play around with it, but for beginners who are likely going to be starting with small fish anyway, the 1 inch per gallon rule is sufficient, I say. Start trying to make the guidelines too complex and you might as well go ahead and properly research your fish so you'll know for sure how to stock your tank

 

[Alex_]

if it looks over stock its overstocked.
thats my rule.

-Alex

 

[demonmagus]

However, the tank may not look overstocked when it is, sometimes the tank looks empty and people add more fish

 

[dwarfgourami]

if it looks over stock its overstocked.
thats my rule.

-Alex

Unfortunately, that is of no use to the newbie whose only idea of fishtanks is from the lfs and from glossy pictures in books. To them, any healthily stocked tank is going to appear pathetically understocked. By the time you have developed enough feel for fishkeeping to judge by looks, you can dispense with the rules.

Besides, if you had 5 heavy catfish hiding in your caves, your tank could look empty and still be overstocked as far as filtration goes.

 

[Dubby]

Firstly, the amount of waste a fish will produce is primarily based upon the mass/volume of the fish. Consider that a 4 inch streamlined, torpedo-shaped rasbora will not be producing the same amount of waste as a rotund, beer-bellied 4 inch molly who is in a late-term pregnancy.

Secondly, as noted in the 1st post, the one inch per gallon rule becomes very silly in the limit of large fish. 20 one inch fish (like small tetras) can be very happy in a 20 gal tank, but obviously one 20 inch fish will not.

Thirdly, the species of fish enters into consideration. Fish from rapidly moving, highly oxygenated waters will require more water per fish than fish from slow moving stagnant ponds. This is where research becomes necessary. Also, some fish are very territorial. A 5 inch fish may claim much more than 5 gallons as its own personal space.

Finally, the fishkeeper's caretaking habits can change the balance as well. If you commit to increased water changes and caretaking, and you 'over-filter' your tank, you can get away with overstocking. But this is only recommended for the more experienced fishkeepers. Likewise, if you want to be lazier, you can plant your tank to help process the fishs' pollution but that requires an aquatic green thumb so-to-say. There are whole other issues for keeping aquatic plants alive.

Many, many factors that "one inch per gallon" cannot take into account. It is just a starting point, and a good place to help newer fishkeepers not run out and purchase as many fish as can fit in a small tank. To be completely accurate, all the above factors, and maybe several I have not even considered, need to be taken into account. Whatever the result will be, it will not be as catchy as "one inch per gallon" which again, is only a starting point.

Heres an idea........

In any rule used in science we always define the base assumptions - at a temp of 25deg, pressure at mean sea level, etc. Similarly we could define parameters such as 25% water change per week, pH of 7, filtration level of 3 times per hour.....

Then we could give each variety of fish an Index value (poop factor?) which when multiplied by its size (cm) would give you an idea of stocking.

Any thoughts?