how many fish in a 55 gallon tank?

[roseselene]

Hello! I know that this is sort of a theoretical question and that there will be no hard and fast answers and that it is due to tank variables, but I am trying to get an idea of the ultimate tank capacity of my new 55 gallon tank. Now, I know that I'm not even putting fish in right now because we're still cycling and then when we DO put fish in, we will add them slowly....believe me, I know that. I'm just looking for like what would be it. Seamaiden in another thread had suggested to look at some various fishies, so I spent my child's 2 hour nap yesterday looking many of those up on line. (ok, I probably could have gotten some stuff done around the house, but hey, i'm excited about the fish) My husband and I decided that we would probably stick with the smaller fish. We liked a couple of the peaceful chromis and cardinalfish. These seem to stay about 2 inches or so. So figuring that I have a 55 gallon tank with 25 pounds of LR and 100 pounds of LS (4-5 inches) and figuring that we will also have some sand critters....do you have any thoughts on the ultimate number of fishies that we could have? The reason why I'm asking is because we found some articles on some of the fish we like that suggested they do well in schools of 6 or more, so we were trying to see how that would end up working out in our tank.
Thanks for any thoughts

 

[Anonymous]

There are many, many variables involved in stocking tanks. Activity level, feeding habits, as well as ultimate adult size can all play a role. I can't think of any schooling fish that would remain small enough to allow you a school of six or more.

 

[Baianotang]

7 lucky number.

 

[roseselene]

There are many, many variables involved in stocking tanks. Activity level, feeding habits, as well as ultimate adult size can all play a role. I can't think of any schooling fish that would remain small enough to allow you a school of six or more.

Hi! I was reading on liveaquaria.com that the orange lined cardinal is fairly peaceful and only will reach a max of 2 1/2 inches. Could I really not have 6 of these in a 55 gallon tank? That doesn't seem like much. I'm not talking about fully stocking the tank all at once, I'm trying to figure out what the eventual capacity would be. That just doesn't really seem like a lot of fish, but then again I'm used to freshwater for the past 16 years.
Thanks.

 

[MI0706]

roselene: I also have a 55 gallon. I have 1 argis angel, 1 lawnmower blenny, 1 scooter blenny, 1 green spot mandarin, 1 spotted hawkfish, 1 maroon/yellow striped clown. I think I'm boarder line on being over stocked with fish.

Hope this helps.

 

[Baianotang]

... fish that have different nieches like cromis, pigmy angel, cleaner goby, clown etc. (not tang (tang police)).

 

[Anonymous]

Roseselene, you've gotten to me here. I mean, I really have a thing for cardinals.. 2.5", eh?
Apogon cyanosoma. ALWAYS go to fishbase, first, to be sure of sizes, food items if listed, etc. They show it as a 3" fish (8cm).. I'd go with five.

Well, here's the thing, I think it can be done. Now, I don't know if it's the best thing for you, and you'd have to limit it to these fish. You'd have to be very diligent about water changes (frequent and large), skimming, overfilter the bejesus outta the system to be safe (refugium would be awesome, skimming for you a must). And to really show them off their best you'd want to mimic as closely as possible the environs in which they're most likely to be found (pseudo-urchin spines?). But I think it could be done.

See here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/cardinal.htm
And just search fishbase.org on "Apogon", as there are some real pretties to be had in this genus!

A piccie from Bob

 

[roseselene]

And to really show them off their best you'd want to mimic as closely as possible the environs in which they're most likely to be found (pseudo-urchin spines?).

I read that they like these urchins....do you have any idea if they are difficult to house?
Thanks!!!

 

[roseselene]

oops...never mind. I just read about urchins on wetwebmedia.com and it doesn't sound like something that a newbie marine aquarist should be getting. So, I'll just stick with the cardinals. One of my pieces of live rock is very nice with some caves and hidey holes that I think that fish will like.

 

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure it would be a good idea for you to start off with urchins just yet. If you Google the fish, you'll see them associated with lots of things that have "fingers" or "grassy" extensions. Coral heads, urchins, seaweed, all will likely provide something that these fish would like.

Also, I would acquire and quarantine them all at the same time, so if your q/t is on the small size (under 30 gallons), I'd get a larger container. Literally, even a trash can will do, though Rubbermaid totes work just fine, too. I believe you can go to Rubbermaid's commercial site for lots of goodies we don't get to see at places like Target (Tar-jhay).