Minimum Tank Size Requirements

Beakerz19 · Mar 13, 2021

Hi everyone, I am kind of a beginner in the Nano reef hobby. I have been looking at fish that I would like to get for my 32 gal Biocube. My 32 gallon biocube has been up and running for over half a year and I have been doing well taking care of it. I have a pair of ocellaris clownfish, a tailspot blenny, torch coral, 2 different types of zoanthids, and a ricordea. I am planning on getting more corals of course and maybe an anemone. I was thinking about getting one or two more fish for my tank and stumbled upon the six line wrasse. I think it looks like an awesome fish that would be great for my tank, the only problem is that some people say it needs a minimum of 55 gallons. I was a little confused though because it only grows to a max size of 3 inches like my blenny and clown fish which minimum tank size requirements are less. I am now on the fence of buying one or not and was wondering if anyone could help me out.

Biglew11 · Mar 13, 2021

All fish are a little bit different. Some small fish aren't very active so they can stay in a small tank. Others are very active, so even though they stay small and the tank would handle the bio load The fish itself would feel cramped.

IslandLifeReef · Mar 13, 2021

I have a six line in my 43 gal display and it has done fine for 4 years. The only issue I would see with your tank is bioload. You may be maxing out on fish already, but I wouldn’t add any more than one other fish in that size system. JMO.

Hugh Mann · Mar 13, 2021

+1 to swimming space. It's not necessarily the size of the fish, but how active they are.
For example, Maroon Clownfish grow to 6" and require a 30 gallon minimum. Meanwhile yellow tangs at 8" require 125.

I would also be concerned about your bioload. It can add up pretty fast in smaller tanks.

Beakerz19 · Mar 13, 2021

So are you saying I should not get one more? Because I was looking for like 1 more fish to add to my tank as my blenny is very shy and pair of clownfish stay in a corner of my tank. I was looking to add a little more activity fish wise.