Which rule is better to follow for small community tropical fish?

Question

Which rule is better to use for stocking your tank?

"1 inch of fish per 1 gallon of water"

OR....

"12 square inches of surface area per 1 inch of fish"

? Thanks!

Answer 1

You can't make "rules" for fish. There will always be far too many variables to account for (aggression, tank size, swimming level, waste output, filter size, temperature, surface agitation, and even whether or not there is some aquarium salt in the tank). The only way to determine how many fish can fit in your tank is by using common sense. Take into account the fish's adult size, and consider how many fish would fit comfortably into your tank.

Soop Nazi

Answer 2

Whichever one is less. Your fish needs 1inch per fish per gallon (assuming they are small and flat bodied) AND 12 square inches of surface area per 1 inch of fish. For example, a 10 gallon tank has 10 gallons = 10 inches of fish, and it has 10" x 20" surface area, which gives you about a lot more than 10 inches of fish. But 10 inches is a much more realistic number. This also assumes other things, such as that you have a filter running, they are not "fat" fish, the fish have enough territory if they are territorial, and you are changing 10-15% water every week (after the cycling process is done... look up "fish nitrogen cycle" if you don't know what that is.)

Answer 3

In general, the 1 inch per gallon rule applied before modern filtration and airation methods were used. You can easily manage 3 to 4 inches of fish per gallon now with equipment available.However I agree it depends on the species and temperment . I wouldn't put 3 , 6 inch red belly piranhas in a 75 gallon tank .

Answer 4

I hate both of those rules. I have 9 fish in my 10 gallon tank about 18 inches and I over ruled it. Just keep up with your water change and you should be fine!

Answer 5

Actually those rules suck