fish density?

[v2k]

What is the maximum inches of fish per gallon that one should stock in a reef aquarium? I can't find the information right now hard as I try.

[Reef69]

LOL..there is a formula of inch of fish per gallon??..LOL

[v2k]

Well, little fish that don't grow too wide? specifically, I don't know if I can add 4 more green chromys to the tank...I have a 55 gallon with 30 gallon refugium (actual total water probably 75 gallons I figure) and already have
1 mandarin
2 green chromys
1 anthia
1 firefish
1 yellowtail damsel

I know they will grow, and don't want to end up with an overcrowded tank, but wish to do right by the chromys and I understand they don't live as long if they are not in a group.

Can you advise?

[demodiki]

Remember, that even though you have 75 gallons in total...that is not the actual space that the fish live in.

[LoneStar]

I have a school of 6 in my 55 along with other fish and don't have a problem at all.

[jaded]

I've seen tanks with so many fish you cant see the back of the tank... there is no set rule that I know of. Some fish need loads of space while others want to school and are more comfortable in a densly packed space.

It doesnt sound over packed to me, but then again I don't know what Im talking about most of the time.

How much LR (if any) in the display?
Hows your filtration, can you handle the extra bioload?

[Andrew]

2 green chromys


Green chromis and Chromis viridis are the common and proper names, respectively; I believe it would be one chromis, or 5 chromis etc., of course chromises sounds kind of cool too. . . it doesn't matter. . . :lol

Anyways,
If you have a good skimmer and do regular waterchanges, 4 more green chromis would be doable. I wouldn't add anything more, and definitely not fish that get large, i.e. tangs, angels, etc.

HTH and good luck

Andrew

[Thunderkat]

A formula for fish per gallon in a reef tank? That reminds me of freshwater tanks ^_^ I remember reading about some fish needing 2 gallons per inch of fish in fresh water tanks due to aggressiveness and most needing only one gallon per inch in freshwater tanks. I think I have read but can't remeber where that one inch of fish per ten gallons of saltwater. I don't think that was very accurate as I have about 12 inches of fish in a 55 gallon and the tank is doing ok. I have seen quite often though a minimum tank size requirement for certain types of fish due to the size they can attain.

[pilot_bell777]

Its simple....

The more fish you add the more work you do! Fish gota poop!

If you are running corals the the more fish you add the better chance you have of your water getting nasty and killing the corals.

[v2k]

oh. hmmm. thanks for all the feedback...A too large emerald crab called The Hulk attacked a couple of the chromis/ chromises/ chromii (?!)/chromae? so the bioload is down for right now. The Hulk is back in the refugium...time out for him.

[carlinsa]

ask scuba stevo he has about 100000000000000000000000 fish in his 215 and they all do fine :D :D

[bigdscobra]

As many as you want, I never listen to that 1in per 1gallon :lol

I have 9 in my 29g and some of them are getting big ie. engineer is ~6in and they are loving it.

In my fresh water 10g I have about 20 different tetras all have lasted over 4 yrs and still going strong.

[bigdscobra]

V2K

Get at least 5 to 7 Chromis you will love it!!!

In a nano we have a lion fish, snowflake eel, 3 chromis, purple pusedochromis, and a tamato clown, with corals and they are doing fine.