I'm sick of hearing the 1g of water per inch of fish in every question I read about space. It isn't always true!!! Especially with goldfish and marine fish.
Goldfish require 20g to start out with. Then 10g of water per additional fish.
Marine is at least 5g per inch (adult sized).
Also, don't think just because it is 1" right now it will stay that way. Some fish can get up to a foot in length.
Why do people continue to use this incorrect advice?
2006-08-01 06:58:31 · 7 answers · asked by Zoer 5 in Pets ➔ Fish
Yay! I am sooooo tired of people repeating that "rule". It's not set in stone, there are lots of other factors involve when stocking a tank, and it doesn't apply to larger fish.
People keep saying it because it sounds so simple and easy, and because it's supposedly a "rule of thumb" so it must be right, right? They never bother to research it before handing that advice out to others. I've even heard people in pet shops say this, though, even regarding goldfish.
Another myth: that all pet store employees know what they're talking about.
2006-08-01 07:15:48 · answer #1 · answered by M.S. 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is true with most tropical fish, that is why people give this advice. Goldfish need more space because they are dirty and saltwater fish need more space because most of them are wild caught and aren't used to live in an aquarium with a bunch of other fish. And you have to just use common sense to not put a ten inch fish in a ten gallon tank, people that give this advice, including me, hope you have enough sense not to do this. But for those people who have had no experience stocking a tank this gives them a guideline so they don't overstock and kill the fish. So there!
2006-08-01 23:34:34 · answer #2 · answered by Anita B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
People like to think they sound like they know what they're talking about.
While the rule of thumb is not all bad (can be used roughly for most adult freshwater smaller fish, not including cichlids, plecos, or goldfish), it seems only the people who like to twist things around to fit their own situation really use that for all fish.
I continue to use it - though I add my no-no about goldfish, cichlids and plecos (though, I should add sharks onto there, too).
EDIT for Mollielover: You're kidding, right? Ten fish in a five-gallon tank? What are your nitrates like at the end of the week before you do your water change??
2006-08-01 15:10:05 · answer #3 · answered by birdistasty 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are very smart. I like that. People that think they are experts and that are really lying about that give wrong advice. Also, I have 10 fish in a 5 gallon tank and they have always been fine. I have always been mad at those people.Some fish need way more space and some need little space. People are very dumb these days, don't you think? Dumb, dumb, dumb. I am saying that to all those stupid people.
2006-08-01 19:12:48 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have never pretended to assume that 1g per inch is adaquate for all fish, i have always said 1g per inch for tropical freshwater when that fish is full grown, 2g per inch of gold fish, again when they're full grown, and i have never presumed to know about salt
2006-08-01 14:26:24 · answer #5 · answered by Taldeara 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because thats what someone at a store told them as a general rule, but really isnt a good rule at all. I've never listened to that rule in my life. Thanks for asking that question, Im glad someone feels how I do!
2006-08-01 14:14:35 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
because its easy to remember and people are dumb @#@##
2006-08-01 15:00:48 · answer #7 · answered by ChelZ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋