| How many fish in a tank is a common question | | | | the stress in the tank and help keep your fish |
| but not one that necessarily has a straight | | | | healthy. |
| answer. One inch per gallon is the rule quoted by | | | | Is the tank planted? A planted tank will cope with |
| most people but does this actually work. | | | | much higher number of fish than an unplanted |
| If you look at nature the answer would be much | | | | tank as the plants will form another layer of |
| less than this in most cases. As a lot of our | | | | filtration helping to remove nitrates from the |
| tropical fish come from flowing streams and | | | | water. But you also need to consider the type of |
| rivers they are used to swimming in water that is | | | | planting. Over-planting can result in no free space |
| constantly being changed and renewed. | | | | for fish to swim in and if you have chosen fish |
| There are a lot of factors to take into account | | | | for open spaces they will get distressed and |
| when planning your fish population. If the tank is | | | | probably fall ill. |
| new then the bio filter may not be fully | | | | How good is the filtration system? More fish |
| established and so a smaller load of fish is | | | | means more waste, so make sure that the flow |
| necessary. Are you a lazy fish keeper or do you | | | | rate on your pump is at the higher end of what is |
| manage your water changes and maintenance on | | | | recommended. A flow rate of five times the |
| a rigorous timetable. If you can be a bit slipshod | | | | tank's [ capacity will help with a larger load of fish. |
| with maintenance then be honest with yourself | | | | And finally although it is nice to have lots of fish, |
| and keep fewer fish. This way you will be taking | | | | sometimes the fish just look better when they |
| the pressure off the bio filter. | | | | have more space, their colours can be brighter |
| What about the mix of fish? If you have a thirty | | | | and their behaviour more natural. As aquarists we |
| gallon tank filled with thirty inches of fish who all | | | | have been trying for years to keep the |
| feed and live at the same level, the tank is | | | | maximum number of fish possible. Is this really |
| crowded. Make sure that you get a mix of top, | | | | best for the fish or just best for us? |
| middle and bottom feeders. Doing so will reduce | | | | |