Inch of fish per gallon of water?

Question

I hate this myth, and can't beleive so many people keep passing it around as fact. If it was true, then you can put a 15 inch oscar (those serious aquarists know how messy they are) in a 15 gallon tank. This is so wrong and leads so many beginers down the wrong path. I just want to hear peoples response, and if anyone agrees with the myth, let me know why. Either way free 2 points, 10 to the answer I like the best.

Answer 1

Yahoo won't let me say it, but the rule is bullshit! As you said, there is no way any self respecting fish keeper would put an Oscar in a 15, 20, or even 30 gallon tank when it is fully grown! There are far too many variables (including, but not limited to: aggression, swimming level, activity level, aggression, waste production, shoaling habits, water temperature, pH, hardness, decorating, tank dimensions, filter size, and surface agitation).

I wish people would research their fish before buying them and assuming everything Petco, Petsmart, or Walmart says is true.

Soop Nazi

EDIT: You can't take a single one inch Neon Tetra and put it in a one gallon, filtered, heated, and cleaned tank. As I already said, shoaling comes into affect here, changing the situation.

Answer 2

I have one thing to say on that rule- Imagine a 55 inch arapaima gigas in a 55 gallon tank. I believe a standard 55 gallon tank is 4 feet long, some are 3 feet long. Eh, add 2 more neons. You might think that's overcrowding, but neons don't add much impact on the biological filter, and they should always be kept in groups of 6 or more, because they're schooling fish.

Answer 3

I heard this from a person at the pet store when I first started keeping fish. I found out the hard way that this is way off. Sure it might work with small fish, but if it doesn't work with all fish, they shouldn't try to use it as a guideline. I love the examples though, (15 inch oscar in 15 gallon tank, 40 inch arrowana in a 40 gallon tank) just goes to show that the rule is false, even if it might work with some fish.

Answer 4

This is very touchy subject, and has been passed around alot in the fish forums. I think that to an extent, with a basic fish tank and just regular fish ( tetras and guppies and such ) that it hold pretty true. but i never go by any rule, i guess i just kinda use my gut and the aesthetics of the tank, followed by a little math craft in my head.

some people would say that one inch of fish per a certain amount of water surface area. basically it comes down to filteration, amount of surface are and surface agitation ( which increases amount of gas transfer ) and the general type of fish. i have found that sound research and good fishkeeping amount for alot more than a hoaky rule of thumb. when in doubt, ask a question or look it up on the intranet.

that darn intranet

-Thomas

Answer 5

While this is true, People should know what size their fish is going to grow to. Mostly 1" per gallon is a general rule to small fish. Small fish that are adult size that are 1". They only need 1 gallon. With that said, Im not saying you can stick a fish in a 1 gallon bowl...No. I mean in a larger tank that you can provide a filter and a heater for correct water parameters. If your going to buy an oscar like you used for an example. You should know that they need 55 gallons of water as an adult. It is different circumstances to different fish. Fish such as Oscars are different and cannot follow this rule. Just my opinon.

EDIT: Soup, are you are referring to me about the 1 neon in a 1 gallon bowl? Ofcourse you cant put it in there. Like i said "It is different circumstances to different fish". This varys between shoaling, size, agressivness etc. This is why i said you need to research your fish before you buy them. If you had bought a single neon in a 1 gallon bowl, it would obviously get stressed because they are shoaling fish. They need atleast 5-6 buddies along with them. A fish for a 1 gallon bowl that is filtered and heated, would probably a guppy. Peaceful, only grows to about 1 inch (male) and arent shoaling fish. Its just variation.

Answer 6

good points. alot of us have been saying that this method is outdated.

But the "defense" that most fishkeepers who follow this state that it is only for smaller fishes....well then if it is a rule then it must apply for all fishes. as what defines smaller.

So i often use the example of a 40 inch silver arowana in a 40 gallon.

Again... if you havent been around much, alot of us constantly tell people that it is outdated.