Patrick M. Bodega Aquatics Posted October 12, 2020 Share Posted October 12, 2020 Hello everyone, I wanted to know your best way to know how many fish you can stock in an aquarium. I have my own way but I am curious how you do it. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MickS77 Posted October 12, 2020 Share Posted October 12, 2020 If they can all swim unabated, if they are comfortable and not stressed out, if your filter can keep up with the bioload. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Ellison Posted October 12, 2020 Share Posted October 12, 2020 I normally go nuts and do about 30% more than the setup can handle. Then I complain about changing water 3 times a week. Then I move a couple to other tanks and boom stocked! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Ed's Aquatics Posted October 12, 2020 Share Posted October 12, 2020 The eternal question. My golden rule is 1 fish per gallon... or no wait, 1" of fish per gallon... or no wait, it's there is no set special way or rule. Every tank is different. I like to try to pick out the stock I want to keep and then make an aquarium that is well suited to handle the bioload. Or, if I already have the aquarium setup, I try to pick what it can accommodate. I still have to adjust, sometimes I don't have to maintain it very much and can add stock. Or I will have to maintain it too much and have to remove stock. I think you just kind of get a feel for it with time. Setting up your 1st aquarium involves a lot of guessing. Setting up your 100th, or 1,000th, etc, not so bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Posted October 12, 2020 Share Posted October 12, 2020 In my 10 gallon aquariums I usually put in a pair of Apistos. I have 11 discus in a 500 gallon. So that works out to something between 5 - 50 gallons per fish. Like @MickS77 and @Mr. Ed's Aquatics said, it is based on bioload and what is good for the fish. How many fish per aquarium does it take to achieve happiness? The fish are much, much happier if they are uncrowded, and in the end happy fish are what makes me happy. @Patrick M. Bodega Aquatics you mentioned having a way. What is the way you do it? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick M. Bodega Aquatics Posted October 13, 2020 Author Share Posted October 13, 2020 For me, I actually do a little bit of what you all discussed. I take the basic ( and untrue, I know) 1 inch per gallon rule. I then incorporate variables like filter size, aggression, max fish size, cover, how many gallons will be taken up from other objects, if I have real plants, and the shape of the aquarium. I am aware that I probably make it overly complicated but it usually works okay. I guess the main fact is yes, I kinda do use the 1 inch per gallon but with everything else I incorporate, I feel like I dilute it to a more acceptable ration. Thanks for asking! Let me know if anyone disagrees because I am always open for suggestions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Streetwise Posted October 13, 2020 Share Posted October 13, 2020 One of my favorite metrics is the population of bladder snails. If bladder snail numbers are increasing, there is more waste or decomposition happening. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick M. Bodega Aquatics Posted October 17, 2020 Author Share Posted October 17, 2020 Awesome! Thanks for the article, Cory! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now