1 Inch Per Gallon

[cane76]

does the 1 inch rule apply to big fish in big tanks??eg 10x10inch adult fish in a 100 gallon??

 

[dwarfgourami]

No, big fish need different rules. For one thing, there are so many factors that become more important, like waste production, territoriality etc. For big fish, you need to ask specialised questions in a specialist forum. Like this one.

 

[freddyk]

When it comes to big fish you need consider that it's not only 10x longer, but 10x wider and taller then a 1" fish too. The 1" rule is for small community fish only. Imagine a 10" fish in a 10 gallon tank! Fits the 'rule', but the idea is ridiculous. There are no rules for big fish really, only common sense.

 

[rdd1952]

I think a good example of how to figure stocking levels on bigger fish vary from the 1" per gallon rule is the guideline I have heard many times for goldfish--20 gallon for the first fish and 10 additional gallons per additional fish. That would equate to 9 fish in a 100 gallon tank. But that doesn't apply to any other fish. Goldies aren't territorial so you don't have the same things to consider with them as you would with say oscars or other big cichlids. Try posting in the section for the fish you want to keep. You should be able to get plenty of help there.

 

[annka5]

... the "rule" also ignores swimming space required - imagine putting a really active small fish in a tiny tank.

 

[spacebass]

So what happens to all the 14'' bala sharks when they mature, everyone sits at home with 6 x 100 gallon tanks for the six babes they started off with?

The only possible logical answer is that most of them die, is this correct?

 

[rdd1952]

Pretty much so. I'm sure that quite a few fish never make it to full size because people don't take proper care of them, lose interest, etc and they just die. Some people may return them to the LFS if they have an individually owned one that will take returns.

 

[freddyk]

It's pretty safe to say that most fish bought at the fish stores never live to see their full potential.

 

[tetraqueen]

It's pretty safe to say that most fish bought at the fish stores never live to see their full potential.

I wonder if we really should ban Bala sharks being sold in the first place.

 

[spacebass]

It's pretty safe to say that most fish bought at the fish stores never live to see their full potential.

I wonder if we really should ban Bala sharks being sold in the first place.

Along with goldfish .

 

[debiasir]

i tend to ignore this 1 inch of fish per gallon rule as it is very vague and i think misleading