Inches of Fish Per Gallon

[FishSticks]

I'm thinking of getting a 55-gallon aquarium with 26 fish in it with a total of 121 inches of fish. So that would be like 2.2 inches of fish per gallon. I've read that One inch of fish per gallon of water is a good rule of thumb for beginners But I must admit that I've learned a lot in the past 2 years. Do you guys think 121" is overstocking the aquarium too much? They will all probably be less than 2 inches when I buy them.
Here are the fish I plan to get...

• 4 Pearl Gouramis
• 4 Dwarf Gouramis
• 6 Clown Loaches
• 4 Gold Gouramis
• 4 Blue Gouramis
• 4 Opaline Gouramis

 

[Cheese Specialist]

I don't folow inch per agon rules but I would be worried that the bottom would be overcrowded with 6 8"+ fish on the bottom.

Also seems like you have a lot on the top area as well from all the gourami.

When stocking I try to spread the fish out over the top/middle/bottom and also from day/nocturnal fish to make the most of the space.

I also think it depends on water parameters, maintenence and filtration.

 

[tstenback]

If you feel that you are reaady for the work then give it a go. You will need alot of filter and a ton of water changes to maintain that load. i feel it is too much fish for a tank.
I think you will run into a problem with all those gouramis as they occupy the same space in the tank and some of them will be aggressive. Might work with lots of hiding places, plants etc. Only my opinion...and i hope im wrong i have always liked gouramis and to have a bunch in one tank would be pretty cool but im not sure they will mix well, specially the blues and opalines.

 

[FishSticks]

Can Clown Loaches really get that big? I thought they could only reached 6" in the aquarium. I've heard of 12" Loaches but only in the wild. How many would be ok for the bottom?

I've mixed Gouramis before in a 10-gallon tank, hopefully it'll work out just as good in a 55 gallon one. I know all the information about Gouramis says they're "top-dwellers" But from my experience with Gouramis they seem to swim all over the tank, not just the top.

I do plan to heavily plant the tank, add some driftwood for hiding places, and a bubble wall in the back for extra oxygen. The aquarium would probably have 2 filters running and I will make 20% water changes every 4 days.

 

[Cheese Specialist]

Can Clown Loaches really get that big? I thought they could only reached 6" in the aquarium. I've heard of 12" Loaches but only in the wild. How many would be ok for the bottom?

They can get as big as 12" in aquariums!!!

Look at this one, his name is Basil. I think he is kept by a member of loaches.com

The easily get to 8" but often get as big as 12" in aquariums.

 

[Bol]

Just as a reminder, if you plant your tank heavily, that means there will be a lot of volume that is "unswimmable" -- i.e. for crowding purposes, your tank will be a lot less than "55 gallon size".

And, just my opinion, but 20 gouramis in a 55 (even unplanted) sure seems like a lot, without seeing it.

 

[FishSticks]

So how big would the aquarium have to be with the kind of fish I want?

 

[NEON98101]

I know my tank is over stocked also. So I can't point the finger. But if you have space and money for the tank, bigger the tank is better. Although I noticed your fish list made of gouramis and I believe they are the labris(sp) fish that they can use the oxygen from the air if my memory is correct. So their stocking level is not as bad as other heavy oxygen required fast swimming fish say Danios. But more your stock the tank with the fish, more often you need to cleanthe water and filters. So if you can do that, I think you can overstock some. Although it better off to buy the bigger tank if you have money and space for it. And also like someone mentioned that they can grow and add more INCHES to your measurement unless they are already reached to their maximum size.
Just think you are forced to live with 3 more people in the small 1 bedroom apt. I'm sure you won't be happy. And some little thing may cause the unnecessary fight, sick etc. So DO AVOID if you can.

 

[smithrc]

i work around 2" per gallon and our tank is 'very active' 6 clowns is a lot though. we've got 4 and when they grow up we'll have a few more tanks to house some of the others... (the goldie is off to a new home when we buy it )

 

[FishSticks]

I don't have money right now for an aquarium bigger than 55 gallons. I did purposely pick a lot of labyrinth fish because I know most Gouramis go up to the surface to get oxygen, kind of like dolphins And I do have the time to make plenty of water & filter changes!

So you guys think the Clown Loaches are a bad idea, I really wanted them Oh well they'll have to wait until I buy an ever bigger aquarium.
What if I put like 2 schools of corydoras instead of the Loaches? Gouramis don't pick on corydoras, do they?

 

[Dwarfs]

The gouramis will fight and there will be noone in the middle, and there will be six feet of loach. Lower the number to one of each gourami, 3-4 clown loaches and maybe some tetras or dwarf cichlids to hang out in the mid bottom.
Here is the way my tank is planned out.

55 gallon u.s.
1 Pearl gourami Top or bottom
1 Siamese badis All over
1 Curviceps All over
2 Honey Gouramis Top or Bottom
2 Peppered Cories Bottom
3 Bolivian Rams Middle-Bottom
4 Otos Middle-Bottom
5 Danios Middle-top
6 Serpaes Middle
Coming soon: 2 Dwarf or Chain loaches Middle-Bottom

 

[Bol]

Sticks,

For the one question, personally I'd think you'd probably need a 90g for all those fish. Maybe a 75.

For the other, I've never heard of (or seen) gouramis pick on cories.

And, you know, you don't have to get six clown loaches right off the bat. You could get a pair or three. And although they do get pretty large, it doesn't happen overnight (or overmonth).

By the way, ever seen yoyo loaches? I've got a trio, and they're complete goofballs. They end up smaller than clowns, and still apparently eat snails.

 

[AHackett72]

Clown loaches will probably only reach 6" in a 55 gal. They can get to a foot, but they will only grow with the size of the tank. So 6" probably at the most. I think six of em will be too much for the bottom, oyu may want to only go with 3 or 4.

 

[Cheese Specialist]

Clown loaches will probably only reach 6" in a 55 gal. They can get to a foot, but they will only grow with the size of the tank. So 6" probably at the most. I think six of em will be too much for the bottom, oyu may want to only go with 3 or 4.

Oh dear.

Fish getting to the size of their tank is a cruel concept.

It's called stunting and it's where the fish's body cannot grow as large as it should because of it being kept in too inadequate a space. However, their internal organs grow and the fish dies a horrible crushing death.

They can easily get to 8" and often get as big as 12". Here's a picture of one from a guy on loaches.com:

 

[diVer]

but they will only grow with the size of the tank.

Please never say that to anyone ever again.