How Many Fish per Aquarium

that Fish Guy · 01-31-2010, 10:39 PM

Hi, I am relatively new to Saltwater Aquariums (4 Months).

I had a 55 Gallon Tank with 16 fish and all but 4 died from Ich

Dead

Copperband Butterfly

Flame Angel

Bi-Color Angel

Bi-Color Dotty Back

Blue Hippo Tang

Skunk Dotty Back

Singapore Angel

Yellow Tail Damsel

3 Stripe Damsel

Coral Beauty Angel

Baby Clown Fish

Sailfin Tang

Alive

Blue Damsel

Blue Velvet Damsel

Puffer

Six Line Wrasse

I have read that stress can cause Ich including overcrowding.

The tank was fine for 4 months then 12 of my 16 fish died in 1 week.

So my question is how many fish can you put into a 55 gallon Tank without ovvercrowding?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks in Advance,
Steve

Reeftanker3295 · 01-31-2010, 10:42 PM

5-7 small fish is a decent amount. 16 fish especially the size of fish you had is WAY to much, even for a 125 gallon.

chrisd · 01-31-2010, 11:29 PM

WOW 16 fish in a 55gal. tank is way to many i have 4 fish in my 75.
i would think 4 to 5 fish at an adult size of about 3 inches is the max the bigger the fish at adult hood the less fish you can keep safely.

chrisd · 01-31-2010, 11:35 PM

i just read over your stocking list again and at adult hood i'm not sure even a 200gal. tank would be big enough and one other thing if you plan to keep corals your going to have to stay away from the angels

that Fish Guy · 01-31-2010, 11:38 PM

If that is way too much how did they last for 4 months? I blame it on the ich outbreak so i am trying to find the best cure for ich

chrisd · 01-31-2010, 11:44 PM

the ich was probly caused by the stress of over crowding specialy with the tangs they are notrious for having ich problems

that Fish Guy · 01-31-2010, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reeftanker3295

5-7 small fish is a decent amount. 16 fish especially the size of fish you had is WAY to much, even for a 125 gallon.

My Fish were not full grown I read somewhere that 1 inch per gallon for freshwater and 3 inches per saltwater. Is this correct?

55 divided by 3 = 18 + fish so I thought I was on the low end with 16.

In a year or so I am going to upgrade I know sailfin tangs can hit like 16 inches but mine was a baby.

You say 5 -7 for a 55 Gallon but Pet stores will have like 10 in a 7 Gallon.

How many should be in my 29 Gallon.

Is there a limit on the number of inverts like there are on fish.

Sorry if these questions seem dumb I am a noob learning. And learning the hard way.

Jadinop · 01-31-2010, 11:56 PM

When you buy fish, you use their full grown size to determine what size tank they need.

Pet stores only hold the fish temporarily. You cannot base the size of the tank needed by the size of the tank they keep the fish in. It is just not possible for a store to house each fish in it's correct sized tank.

chrisd · 02-01-2010, 12:07 AM

nope 4 to 5 fish in a 55 at a maximum of 3 inches so one 3 inch fish for every 10gal. this is just a good rule of thumb.

10 fish in a 7gal. tank would depend on how big the fish are but most important is the tank hooked up to a much larger system and more then likely they will be sold before any adverse affects.

inverts will add to the biological load as well

Reeftanker3295 · 02-01-2010, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by that Fish Guy

My Fish were not full grown I read somewhere that 1 inch per gallon for freshwater and 3 inches per saltwater. Is this correct?

55 divided by 3 = 18 + fish so I thought I was on the low end with 16.

In a year or so I am going to upgrade I know sailfin tangs can hit like 16 inches but mine was a baby.

You say 5 -7 for a 55 Gallon but Pet stores will have like 10 in a 7 Gallon.

How many should be in my 29 Gallon.

Is there a limit on the number of inverts like there are on fish.

Sorry if these questions seem dumb I am a noob learning. And learning the hard way.

That is inches in the fish when full grown. 6 fish at 3 inches = 15 inches
Angels get over 6 inches so just 3 angels is overstocking that tank.

whiskerbiscuit · 02-01-2010, 12:44 AM

So, is it 3 inches of fu;; grown fish per gallon of water in the main tank?

berger9953 · 02-01-2010, 12:55 AM

Wow! I can see why they got ich! They were probably stressed out from the extreme crowding. only one inch of fish per 2 gallons of H20.

Reeftanker3295 · 02-01-2010, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by berger9953

Wow! I can see why they got ich! They were probably stressed out from the extreme crowding. only one inch of fish per 2 gallons of H20.

That is still a bit too much. I would go with the 3 inches per 10 gallon rule if you really want to follow a rule. (1/3 inch per gallon if you want to be specific or for a 55 its 18 1/3". I would keep it at about 16" though max on a reef tank)

fox2589 · 02-01-2010, 01:12 AM

+1 on 3in per 10 gallons-Drew

that Fish Guy · 02-01-2010, 01:47 AM

I understand about looking at the fact they will get bigger. I will be getting a bigger tank in the futire to compensate for that. At the moment all the fish were 3" or less even though some can get to be 16" I am upgrading down the road when they get igger. Please factor that in. In that case was it ok

16 X 3 = 48 so thats under 55 following your rule. None of the fish were over 3" And most were under. I have wall of live rock across the back of the tank for them to hide in too.