Would you rather have?!?

[MarvinsReef]

would you rather have a bunch of little fishes (< 5") or a few big fishes (> 5") in your reef? WHY?

do you think the bioload of the little fishes is equal to the bioload of the big fishes? WHY?

Thanks

 

[Wy Renegade]

Personally, I would prefer to have multiple smaller fish because of the greater variety of form and color that can be introduced as well as the (hopefully) additional benefit of the fish being able to perform different tasks (i.e. algae control vs. pod control). While it would appear to make sense that if the overall biomass is the same, the waste produced should be roughly the same amount as well, generally smaller organisms produce more waste than larger ones. Not really sure how I would stand on the overall waste production estimation.

 

[gar732]

That's a toss up because some of the bigger fish have that certain personality. However I like the smaller fish that swim through the rock. The bio load is definitely more with a larger fish, they eat more and they poop more.

 

[SDguy]

Both. But if I had to pick one, I'd say lots of little fish.

 

[hawkfishman]

lots of little

 

[dougers31]

I definantely would go with more of the smaller ones. You can get more of a variety of color as well as more movement. Plus you generally will have a lower bioload.

 

[fab1971]

little ones here too. Bio load is bigger with the larger fish and even though personality is a factor, movement and activity of the smaller fish makes a tank more exciting.

 

[MarvinsReef]

awesome guys. thanks for your input. :)

 

[sf_ramsden]

Hey Marv!

I agree with those that said "Lots of little fish". I love how they shoot through little nooks and crannies and are able to make use of the entire tank.

 

[DrTrey]

I concur. More is the new big.

 

[mfinn]

I've always liked smaller fishes

 

[KLR]

If I had to choose one, I would pick little fish because you could get more+I like watching little fish swim through branching corals or holes in the rocks. Big fish are neat too,but I just more little fish would be better.

 

[Jcr's Reef]

I have lots of little and 1 big. Does that count? :tongue: I have to have altleast one big fish bc I love their personality. I wonder which ones live longer...big or small?

 

[BlazinNano]

Want a bunch of little fish. More movement in the tank. Who doesn't like a decent size school of chromis?

 

[re-fin-away]

I would have to vote on the side of more smaller fish. It gives the reef more movement and more to watch. I also like to watch the interactions between fishes.

 

[BigFeesh]

I would choose Harems of wrasses and trios of anthias definitely over a couple big fish!

 

[MarvinsReef]

awesome guys. :)

 

[Alattner]

big fish all the way!! i love my tangs and when i get my 220 its going to be full of them. personally as long as you have the skimmer for the bio load it shouldn't matter

 

[MarvinsReef]

3 Tangs or 10 flasher wrasses or 10 anthias ? say the tank is a 120g standard.

 

[BigFeesh]

10 flashers :) and a pair of picasso clowns like yours ! (you just can't leave out the clowns) :xd: