Overstocking/inadequate Tank Sizes

[pippoodle]

MULTIPLE CHOICE POLL JUST IN CASE YOU WISH TO DISAGREE OR AGREE WITH ALL

The older i am getting and the more i read on this forum the more i am angered by seeing people keeping clown loaches , black knife fish , goldfish etc in tanks that are too small for them that could cause the fish to have stunted growth , deformities and a short life span .

I am also starting to not be so concerned about smaller fish being kept in larger numbers in well maintained small tanks with good filtration as long as the tank meets the basic requirements for the fish .

I know both scenarios a lot of people see as bad but this is just how i am seeing things lately and would like to know what you think on the subject .

(please excuse any mistakes and i hope this makes sense MS)

Thanks for taking the time and reading this and please do comment
SArah x

 

[Repeat]

I wanted a BGK, but after reading things on here i wouldnt dare get one with my current hex tank. Its just honestly not fair to the fish. The least harmless one imo would be the large fish in a larger tank with little maintenance. My dad has been keeping tanks for a long time, and has really never made one water change, and all of his fish always look extremely healthy and he has lost maybe 5 fish outside of a overnight beat up/ something stupid in 20 years.

 

[prankster705]

large tank = good waste dilution = less maintenance (if it's 1 16" fish), however, some is still required.

most 2' tanks are 12"ish wide which means a 16" fish can't even turn around without bumping into sides = stressed fish

40" of fish in a 20 gallon is nothing special as long as they're properly taken care of, are compatible and aren't over-crowded, however an over-sized filter and regular water changes are a must in this case (plants help also, imo).

 

[saz326]

maintinance to a tank takes so many forms.

I think it takes longer to maintain the plants and rocks etc in a tank than it does to maintain filters and water quality. Well maintained tanks i(such as in this example) may be really pretty to look at, but the sheer number of fish can cause problems to be instantly really bad.

I think the situation with least potential to harm the fish is the 8ft tank. Little maintainance may mean that the tank has algae on the glass and overgrown plants etc, but the water quality is more likely to be fish-happy as ther are lots of litres to dilute any nasties. A quick water change would be the low maintainance.

 

[JustKia]

Sure would love a BGK but there's plenty of time to get some later when we have the space =)
Judging by the poll it seems most people are unanimous that the fish needs the space to turn and swim. If the fish has enough space to turn and swim properly there is probably enough water to dilute the waste so the maintenance can be basic.

 

[xxBarneyxx]

Tanks overstocked with small fish can be fine as long as they are well looked after, are overly filtered and the fish are chosen with care.

A large fish in a small tank is the worst.

A large fish in a large poorly maintained tank may be ok but only if the water quality is good. If the water quality is poor it is just as bad as a big fish in a small tank.

 

[tibby25731]

For me, keeping a fish in a tank not big enough for it to grow into properly is by and far the worst scenario. When my family or friends tell me 'oh but the fish will not grow bigger than the tank', I tell them that it is the equivalent of binging Chinese girls feet - yeah, so they won't grow too big, but they will become deformed and it is not good! And after looking a bit stunned, they always have to agree that they see my point!

 

[Syphoniera]

For me, keeping a fish in a tank not big enough for it to grow into properly is by and far the worst scenario. When my family or friends tell me 'oh but the fish will not grow bigger than the tank', I tell them that it is the equivalent of binging Chinese girls feet - yeah, so they won't grow too big, but they will become deformed and it is not good! And after looking a bit stunned, they always have to agree that they see my point!

Brilliant analogy.
And by the way I agree also, big fish little tank is by far the worst.
A literal water closet in this example.

 

[pippoodle]

Great comments and thoughts from everyone
i'm glad to see the poll showing the results i hoped it would show so far

keep the commentcomming

thanks sarah x

 

[pippoodle]

anyone else with thought on this matter