Rule of Thumb?

[Dalray]

What is the general rule of thumb, for how many fish you can have per gallon etc... i cant remember what the math is for it.

[Frank]

Thinking it is about 1 inch per gal.

[snaggle]

Thinking it is about 1 inch per gal.

Sweet I can keep a fully grown arowana in a 36 gallon tank.

Remember that there are some fish that don't fit in to that rule of thumb.

[Qattarra]

There are a few but common sense guides you best.

1 inch of fish per gallon of water......not a good idea if you deal with fish bigger than guppies or neons.

1 dovii in a 50 gal. tank would seem understocked by that rule but due to it's aggression would you put anything else in with it?

I realize you weren't looking for a speech, not intended as one, just don't want you to go ahead with the idea of the "rules". You're better of asking "how much room should I give a -----?" Keeping in mind hiding places also.

[Dalray]

There are a few but common sense guides you best.

1 inch of fish per gallon of water......not a good idea if you deal with fish bigger than guppies or neons.

1 dovii in a 50 gal. tank would seem understocked by that rule but due to it's aggression would you put anything else in with it?

I realize you weren't looking for a speech, not intended as one, just don't want you to go ahead with the idea of the "rules". You're better of asking "how much room should I give a -----?" Keeping in mind hiding places also.

speeches are alright lol

i was just curious because i have a 38 gal with 4 electric yellows, 2 red empress 1 blue peacock, 3 blue mbunas and 2 orange fish lol. seems like there is alot of room there.

[punman]

Depends on the number of species too, I find. A given tank with 8 of the same might do just fine, but the same tank with the same number of fish at the same length of fish BUT - say eight different species, might be too small due to aggression.

[Qattarra]

Are they full grown? The mbunas may show some aggression. If you have more than enough hiding places, for now you may be OK . If you have fish that are always hiding, any that cower up in the corner and maybe frayed fins, it'll be too crowded. You might want to consider a second tank and split them up, you are a bit crowded for these species.