Poll: inches of fish per gallon

[Gator0930]

How many inches of fish does everyone have per gallon of water? This seems to be a common debate, and I would like to see what everyone runs.

 

[Crabs McJones]

How many inches of fish does everyone have per gallon of water? This seems to be a common debate, and I would like to see what everyone runs.

This is more of a rule of thumb for freshwater in my experience. But I believe the general consensus is 1" for 5 gallons of water...I may be wrong.

 

[saltyhog]

I have no idea. I have 13 fish in my 72x24 tank that range from a 5 " Gold Rim tang to 2" barnacle blenny. I think there are way too many variables to use that kind of measurement tool.

 

[ThunderGoose]

I voted but size nose to tail is only part of the consideration. A thin, lethargic fish produces less waste that a round, active fish of the same length. Aggressive species need more space per fish. Waste management system matters. You get the idea.

 

[big deddy]

I dont use any per gallon ratio. I start slow and add slowly to give system time to adjust. That being said I have 12 in about 100 gallons. I also skim extremely heavy and have about 5 gallon capacity of cheato in my fuge. My tank has been up and running about 4 and a half years. 7 of the fish I have were added ok n the last 16 months.

 

[Gator0930]

I know that there are a lot more variables that go into this equation, but it is a general rule. It was a conversation to see what others have done themselves and been successful with to give others ideas on whether they are doing a little to much, right on par, or might have room to add a couple.

 

[Greybeard]

I'm probably at about 1" per 7 gallons now... but several of my fish are still juveniles, and are going to grow. Probably be closer to 1 in 4 or so, when they're all growed up.

I don't find much use in this particular metric. Just too many variables involved.

 

[nereefpat]

It is impossible to have a debate, because it is a nonsensical ratio..in my opinion.

However, if you have a potential stock list, and a potential display tank size, we can give you lots of help.

 

[Gator0930]

It is impossible to have a debate, because it is a nonsensical ratio..in my opinion.

However, if you have a potential stock list, and a potential display tank size, we can give you lots of help.

I did that too. Here are the links to those 2 posts
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/how-big-of-a-dt-do-i-need.394257/

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/triggerfish-compatibility.394376/

 

[Kremis]

There is no specific inches per gallon rule. It is more about the fish's particular care requirements, level of aggression, vertical swimming room, how "messsy" the fish is and your filtration, etc.

For example, I have 3 garden eels in my 28 gallon tank. they are each about 14 inches long. That adds up to 42 inches in a 28 gallon tank. If you went by the 1 inch per gallon "rule", that would mean it would be "ok" to get 4 blue hippo tangs that max out around 8 inches. Putting 4 blue hippo tangs in a 28 gallon tank doesnt make much sense, right? this rule is more of a freshwater thing

 

[Jesterrace]

How many inches of fish does everyone have per gallon of water? This seems to be a common debate, and I would like to see what everyone runs.

Honestly it's an old wives tale for freshwater tanks (even for freshwater it's not very accurate). The inch per gallon rule gives zero consideration to the level of activity of the fish in question. A Yellow Tang and a Marine Betta get roughly the same size but if anyone has watched the two in action, it's pretty clear the Tang needs more space.

 

[ca1ore]

Yep, useless.

 

[James Johnson]

If you add fish slowly and allow time (weeks, not days) between adding fish your nitrate test kit will tell you when to slow down.

 

[Lousybreed]

I only deal with centimeters and liters, sorry dawgs.

 

[nereefpat]

I only deal with centimeters and liters, sorry dawgs.

How about furlongs per acre inch?

 

[mta_morrow]

I don’t find much use for “inches per gallon”.

When my stock list is complete, I will have approximately 80” in a 108 gallon tank. That’s full grown size, and I am stocking with juveniles.

I have no fish over 4” fully grown, and am stocking with bottom dwellers, open water, cave dwellers, etc.

All community, peaceful fish. So far I have 18 fish. I will be adding 4-6 more.

 

[SciGuy2]

How about furlongs per acre inch?

Hydrologist?

 

[nereefpat]

Hydrologist?

Not by trade or degree, but I deal with flowmeters some. You?

 

[ca1ore]

How about furlongs per acre inch?

Hang on, hang on ..... doing the math ....... Yhatzee, I'm under stocked.

 

[ca1ore]

If you add fish slowly and allow time (weeks, not days) between adding fish your nitrate test kit will tell you when to slow down.

FWIW, whether one is under-stocked or over-stocked is more then just a nutrient load problem. In fact, with modern nutrient export mechanisms, swimming space is more likely to be the limiting factor.