How many fish?

[motorslave]

Well here I go with another beginner question... How many fish is too many fish? Im going to be doing a 55 aiming for 300 watts of lighting and end to end rock and gradualy ad coral as i learn about them. This is probably a very general question considering all the variables that go into a healthy reff but is there some sort of guide line?

[Johnny]

I have never heard of a guideline that would hold water (pun) there are so many factors which would contribute to how much of a fish load you could have. I have heard of people buying a huge skimmer and more sump than tank to have more fish. I just look for people with the same tank as mine and see what they have and how long they have had sucess with that load.

[Alice]

Ah, the famous fish question

Scott Michael's PocketExpert Guide "Marine Fishes: 500+ Essential-to-Know Aqaurium Species" can be your best friend during fish selection time.

A very general rule of thumb is 1" of *adult fish* per 5 gallons of water. This is very general, so much will depend on the individual fish, and don't forget - your tank won't hold 55 gallons of water with rock & sand in there.

Tangs are tough to keep in tanks smaller than 6'. It can be done but they need a lot of swimming room, tend to get stressed & fall prone to ich, and get territorial.

Dwarf Angels are a good choice for the 55 gallon tank size but they tend to pick at corals. It's a crap shoot on whether or not you'll get one that behaves itself.

Full Size Angels, too big and like to eat corals

Blennies, gobies, firefish, clowns, banghai and other cardinals, fairy wrasses, other small wrasses (6-line, etc.) all are good choices for a 55.

Have fun

Alice

[Clownfishman]

Two clowns and a "dori" fish would be to much for a 30 huh...

Those dori fish can get pretty big... they are tangs aren't they..

[Phishnoob]

After the death of my first fish I am going to start with clowns in a month then try a tang. My tank is 90g so the advice will not be wise, but heard Ocellarus is sort of the all around noobie fish. Those tangs are pricy and a bit tougher to take care of so waiting another month before that purchase.

Phishnoob

[Alice]

"Dori fish" Paracanthurus hepatus, also known as Regal or Hippo tangs can grow to approximately 10-14" in length. Definately not for a 30 gallon.

There are many blennies and gobies to choose from for small tanks, the other fish I mentioned above will work in a 30 as well. 3 small fish in a 30 is about right, or maybe 2 fish and a pair of cleaner shrimp; a goby/pistol shrimp pair in a 30 would be great.

It's very easy to overstock tanks with fish. With small tanks even more so than larger ones it's important to go slow, research your choices for compatability and care requirements and don't buy fish on impulse.

Alice

[OodleyBoodely]

I've tried to keep just about everything in my 55 at one time or other, mostly to the demise of the fish. I have reluctantly learned that I cannot keep any kind of dwarf angel alive (They are my favorite marine fish and I've tried all the commonly available types) tangs and rabbitfish are out- too big with need to roam. Dragonets are out- tank won't support them past 6-7months. Even with a refugium and a healthy crop of pods at the start, a single scooter or mandarine will end up starving to death-even with no competition for the pods. My first scooter lasted over 2yrs because he ate frozen brine, but his replacements never would and starved. I now keep a pair of Oscellaris clowns (3 1/2yrs!) a yellow-tail blue chromis damsel, a Starkii (I think) damsel, a chalkbass, a yellow watchman goby (replaced the dragonets), and my other fav, a royal gramma.

This stocking level seems about right for my tank-everyone's happy and healthy and there is little or no chasing or squabbles. I've tried to keep one or two more such as a sixline or fairy/flasher wrasses- even a sharpnosed Valentini puffer, but with even one more 'peaceful' addition, the stress and strife in the tank seems to rise and I end up losing one as the result.

IMO, you are better off thinking in terms of maintaining between 4-7 small fish max. and the actual number will depend on which species you try to keep together. Also, when considering what to stock, think about where each fish will prefer to reside-ex. will it cruise the midlevel of the tank, will it stay on the bottom, will it stay near one spot and defend it, ect. Combining fish that will utilize differant parts of the tank will make for more peaceful coexistance and happier pets.

At 7, my tank is heavily stocked. It also contains 5years growth of soft corals plus a couple stars, hermits and snails Hope this helps some.

[Alice]

Thanks for sharing your experience! Very helpful post.

[OodleyBoodely]

My pleasure, Alice. Helping the newbies helps give meaning and validity to the madness.

[motorslave]

gotta love it in this place, thanks. Yet another bunch of great answers. Thank you