# of fish per gallon

[shawn114]

This may be a dumb question, I have a 20 gal reef and ready to purchase fish. I have read you can have 1 fish per 5 gal of water if the fish is 1-2 inches. Does this include algae eating fish like lawnmower blennies. There not as cool looking as some of the prettier fish that I want, I would like to have my 1 fish per 5 gal to be cool looking, seeing that my tank isn't that big. Just trying to get as much beauty out of my 20 as I can, but still wanting some livestock that loves algae. I guess i'm trying to say I would like to have my "cake and eat it to" if that's possible.

 

[shawn114]

sorry, I posted this on the wrong forum, should have went to "new reefkeepers forum". Still would love some input please.

 

[Anonymous]

There is no such rule one can point to. There are far too many variables to make it allowable, especially when you're not even dealing with the size of the fish, but solely the number of fish.

Diet, activity levels, and total mass all factor into the equation. They are complicated enough that those who have attempted a general algorithm to apply to marine fishes have found it, for all intents and purposes, insurmountable. These algorithms to exist for koi, but this is one species ONLY.

 

[liquid]

moved to the New Reefkeepers Forum

Shane

 

[psiico]

Don't forget territoritality. Is that a word? Lol. What fish do you want to keep? There are so many factors invovled if you post a list of what you like people can give you a list of possible combinations.

 

[Anonymous]

Hey! It's Buddy Jesus! Yes, territoriality is a word, and it must be considered. For instance, if he tried to put two pseudochromides in there, war would break out. A yellow assessor would be fine with neon or clown gobies. Blennies, be careful.. actually, you just have to be careful with any fish you're considering.

 

[psiico]

Ah, that's it. Territoriality. I said territoritality, lol. But yeah, two normally peaceful fish, if they find themselves in cramped quarters competing for space in the same area of the tank for the same food may fight.

 

[shawn114]

I was thinking of getting these for my 20 gal:

2 percula clowns
1 purple firefish gobie
1 drangonet
1 lawnmower blennie
2 peppermint shrimp
1 coral banded shrimp
1 emerald crab
1 mexican turbo

 

[Wheeldog63]

IMO that fish-list has way to many fish on it, if it were up to me I would settle on the 2 percs and then either the purple firefish or the lawnmower blenny. IMO the firefish would be better. The dragonette I would definately not recommend in this small of an aquarium as they are almost allways strictly live pod feeders and a 20 would not be able to sustain one for very long at all. The inverts seem ok though, maybe just one peppermint as you also are going to have a coral banded and you could also up the crab and snail load. What equipment are you looking at running on this set up?

~Kelly

 

[shawn114]

skilter 250 power filter and skimmer in one. I also have a power sweep 212 power head, lighting and heater.