Fish per Aquarium?

Hello,

I have a 125g tank with approximate dimensions of 60" wide X 18" deep X 22" tall. What is the ideal or maximum inches of fish for a tank that size.

i know that are a lot of variables involved...but just trying to get an estimate.

Thanks

bob

 

that is not even used anymore, if it were my tank i would probably put like two typs of tangs, maybe as dwarf angel maybe a butterfly some anthias som eother little fish. use your imagination

 

just post a list of wht u want and we can say yea or na

 

plus one to this, this rule is entirely outdated

 

i'd like to get a yellow tang, maybe 1-2 triggers (Niger & Humu)...& say a dwarf lionfish...& maybe 1-2 clownfish.

 

Sounds good as long as they are similar sized. Clowns might get eaten by lionfish.

 

And the triggers you listed will also eat smaller fish and inverts. As well as the triggers may eat your dwarf lion.

 

+1 triggers have been known to nip at the lion's fins. I have had both in a tank before & not had anything happen. Depends on if you get lucky or not.

 

Bob

for someone just starting out in the world of saltwater
a general guideline would be 1 inch of fish, for every 4 gallons of saltwater
allowing for the potential adult size of the fish

advances in equipment, techniques etc , have resulted in this old guideline being semi redundant, but IMHO its still a reasonable point from which to start if your new to the hobby


its possible to have 2 tanks of the same dimensions, but run with different equipment,different fish species etc , and for one of them to be able to safely accomodate more fish than the other 1
a better skimmer and or more surface water movement in 1 tank could help it accomodate more fish than a similar sized tank with no skimmer or and inferior skimmer
and less water movement for example.

large messy feeders , could foul water, far quicker than smaller more delicate species

Oxygen is often the limiting factor, and certain things can influence that such as
amount of water movement
tank temperature
fish species and their activity levels

IMHO
building your stock levels up slowly, whilst monitoring conditions in the tank is key to understanding your own tanks stocking limit

IMO , a margin for error is always a positive idea, allowing for emergencies such a power out, which as you can imagine is likely to have a more devastating effect in a tank stocked to capacity than it would in a tank that remained well within its capablities

in terms of fish species, +1 on the advice above
the general rule with fish, is - if another fish will fit into its mouth, then its possibly on the menu
Lionfish have a capacity to extend their mouths and engulf fish that you would think are to large for them to consume

Steve