How many fish can you have?

bbsbliss · 06-10-2008, 08:37 AM

Is there a general rule regarding number of fish to size of tank? And does that same principle apply to inverts ? I understand fish of similar size, feeding patterns, etc can be tankmates, but I was wondering if I could add another fish without overpopulating my tank. I have a 110 gal., with 6 fish, black urchin, starfish, and a couple hermit crabs. I don't know the weight of the live rock, but maybe 40-50lbs. The local store would, of course, sell me a bunch more fish, but I'd like a non biased opinion! (I posted a picture somewhere on this site, but can't find it now!)

Daniel072 · 06-10-2008, 08:44 AM

several factors play in here. Filtration, size of fish, your maintenance habits, etc........ A little more info about your system would be great and help us out with this. How are your water parameters now??? amm, nitrite, nitrate???? All of this plays a role in whether adding fish is a possibility.

bbsbliss · 06-10-2008, 09:09 AM

This is a picture of the tank, which may not be much help. I have "inherited" this established tank from a friend, and I know next to nothing about it (but I'm trying to learn). I have tested ph, ammonia, nitrates, nitrites, - everything is coming up within normal limits. I know there is a protein skimmer, and all the appropriate filters. I understand the tank was previously maintained by a professional, so everthing was in great shape 2 weeks ago when it came to me. I have attempted to contact the aquarist(?) who previously cared for the tank with no success. I'd like to keep everyone in it alive, so I'm trying to learn as much as I can. Maybe I should keep the current inhabitants alive a little longer before I try to add someone new!

Daniel072 · 06-10-2008, 09:13 AM

if you are new to the hobby, keep and enjoy what is in there while researching. Learn as much as you can. If you overload the tank it can be catastrophic, as in having to pull the sand bed and replace it prematurely because it has filled with phosphates. A bigger picture woudl have been cool tho=)

Zectra · 06-10-2008, 09:17 AM

Not really sure on this one, I think it depends on how much you really know about what you're doing with your tank, and of course, what kinds of fish. If you're wondering about how many your tank can hold? I think there is a calculator somewhere on here that tells you, I haven't tried it, but who knows!

omard · 06-10-2008, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbsbliss

Is there a general rule regarding number of fish to size of tank? And does that same principle apply to inverts ? I understand fish of similar size, feeding patterns, etc can be tankmates, but I was [url="http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/volume_3/cav3i2/marine_planning/marine_planning.htm"]wondering if I could add another fish without overpopulating my tank. I have a 110 gal., with 6 fish, black urchin, starfish, and a couple hermit crabs. I don't know the weight of the live rock, but maybe 40-50lbs. The local store would, of course, sell me a bunch more fish, but I'd like a non biased opinion! (I posted a picture somewhere on this site, but can't find it now!)

Depends entirely on maturity of tank, your filtration system, and how much effort you are willing to take to keep water params stable...Oh, and ultimate size, eating habits of fish.

If willing to do daily waters changes, you can keep a whole lot of fish...

Let your water params tell you over time whether you can add additional fish...If stays completely stable with your current system and maintenance regime over couple of months, you can probably add to population.

According to popular "rules of thumb" i.e. 1" of fish per 5 gallons, I guess I would need about a 350 gallon tank to support my current fish population.

But I have a very good skimmer, do regular water changes, lots of live rock and keep a very, very close eye on water params...

Much better starting off with few and adding to over long period of time...

Learn to Live With It
Adam Blundell M.S.

"...As surprising as it may seem your tank will look ugly at first. This happens to all new marine aquariums as they cycle through their initial filtration phase. Your tank may go brown, and then green, and then red, and then just look junky. It happens. Consequently the one coral you really want to keep may not live. You may struggle to raise the prize fish you originally intended to acquire. It's okay; just learn to love whatever is working for you. Remember, not only is this a hobby, but we are keeping living ecosystems. Special efforts should be put forth to enjoy and appreciate what we are keeping, whatever it may be. It takes time and patience to turn a glass box full of rock into a beautiful, thriving reef tank..."

Good luck.

Keep us posted.

Zectra · 06-10-2008, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by omard

Depends entirely on maturity of tank, your filtration system, and how much effort you are willing to take to keep water params stable...Oh, and ultimate size, eating habits of fish.

If willing to do daily waters changes, you can keep a whole lot of fish...

Let your water params tell you over time whether you can add additional fish...If stays completely stable with your current system and maintenance regime over couple of months, you can probably add to population.

According to popular "rules of thumb" i.e. 1" of fish per 5 gallons, I guess I would need about a 350 gallon tank to support my current fish population.

But I have a very good skimmer, do regular water changes, lots of live rock and keep a very, very close eye on water params...

Much better starting off with few and adding to over long period of time...

Learn to Live With It
Adam Blundell M.S.

"...As surprising as it may seem your tank will look ugly at first. This happens to all new marine aquariums as they cycle through their initial filtration phase. Your tank may go brown, and then green, and then red, and then just look junky. It happens. Consequently the one coral you really want to keep may not live. You may struggle to raise the prize fish you originally intended to acquire. It's okay; just learn to love whatever is working for you. Remember, not only is this a hobby, but we are keeping living ecosystems. Special efforts should be put forth to enjoy and appreciate what we are keeping, whatever it may be. It takes time and patience to turn a glass box full of rock into a beautiful, thriving reef tank..."

Good luck.

Keep us posted.

Geez, This guy is good. I want to be more like you. I guess i am just a rittle ronery grasshoppa right now and I need more training to be a great jedi master someday!

wildreef · 06-10-2008, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbsbliss

Is there a general rule regarding number of fish to size of tank? And does that same principle apply to inverts ? I understand fish of similar size, feeding patterns, etc can be tankmates, but I was wondering if I could add another fish without overpopulating my tank. I have a 110 gal., with 6 fish, black urchin, starfish, and a couple hermit crabs. I don't know the weight of the live rock, but maybe 40-50lbs. The local store would, of course, sell me a bunch more fish, but I'd like a non biased opinion! (I posted a picture somewhere on this site, but can't find it now!)

well as a "general" rule to follow , you should only have 1 inch of fish per 5 gallons of water .
But this is loose term because all fish are not the same shape .

Example:

A midas blenny is 4 inches long but only about half inch tall and round.
Now take a typical yellow tang of modarate size , he's 4 inches long but he's 4 inches tall , ok.
And not to mention the fact that they do grow.

So as you can see there alot of dynamics to this question.

I always suggest 1 inch of fish per 10 gallons, that way there's a "buffer" there for your tank , as the fish begin to grow and allowing for the diffrent sizes of the fish species , you are relativly safe then and will not run into an over stocking problem, over feeding , etc.