Stocking Rules For Marine Aquaria

[Pyrokitty]

I have kept tropical freshwater fish in the past and I quite fancy getting started on marines, but everywhere I look there are different rules for how many fish you can keep depending on tank size...going in gallons, surface area, etc. What have you used to work out how many fish should go in a tank, and should the strength of filters and aeration make a difference?

Thanx!

 

[crazyelece]

First off there are many more "rules" to marine fish than freshwater. It stems from the different species being shaped nothing alike and their natural environment. For instance many people say tangs shouldn't be kept in smaller than a 6 ft long tank. The basic rule of thumb is 1 inch of fish for every five gallons. If you have a fish only setup you can get away with a little heavier stocking, but you must keep nirtates in check. As far as over stocking and over filtering, its not as easy as a FW setup due to nitrate poisoning. Nirtates are harder on marine fish than FW fish. Over filtering just creates nitrates quicker. You can do this but you need a system such as a refugium or weekly water changes so the nitrates don't build up. If you have a particular stocking list for a particular size tank you can always ask and the more experienced SW keepers can advise you how to go.

 

[Pyrokitty]

I'm still at the research stage at the moment so no specific ideas in mind, I was thinking maybe 60 gallons with a couple of clowns and a gramma or a jawfish, but I've not gone and head and bought a tank or anything yet. Thanks!

 

[RoyalGrammaPrincessHannah]

Another good but less specific rule is 1 medium sized fish per 10 gallons. The fish are constantly flushing their bodies out with the water, and it gets dirty fast. Plus their natural environment isnt necessarily packed with a bunch of fish, like some desire for their tanks. So it is more natural feeling for them to have lots of LR [which offers good filtration if it is utilized by powerheads] and about 1 fish per 10 gallons. In addition to weekly water changing with RO water, a good protein skimmer is essential for larger tanks, i.e., 40 gal and above, but are a also good piece of equipment for all sizes.

I always wonder why people want a pair of clowns for such small tanks, because it cuts down the diversity a lot inless its like 150 gallons. IMO, if you want more than one of these adorable little guys, get two totally different looking species. There are many hardy ones to choose from. But if you do this, let the smaller one establish territory first, so it isnt bullied by the next one being added. Like clarkiis for example are usually bigger than the perculas at sale size, [and final size], but I have one of each co-existing quite happily because the perc got territorial enough to fight off the bigger guy when he came along.

As you can see by my name, I totally agree with a royal gramma, they are hardy and beautiful. They do need nice rockwork for hiding in but other than that there are no special requirements.

But before all the fun stuff, you need to research the cost and maintenance it will take for keeping a tank before making any drastic decisions.[and it appears you know that] A good few months of research is ideal before buying anything, as you will change your mond on lots of things every time you read something. It looks like a lot of fun and it is, but its also a lot of work, and not everyones schedule is that flexible. This is a great place to start learning!

 

[Pyrokitty]

Thanks for all the info...I think I prefer the one fish for ten gallons lol! I'm still a bit confused about the whole live rock thing, everyone I speak to tells me something different about it, but it sounds totally ideal for the kind of set up I want. I want to keep two clowns because I'm particularly fond of clownfish and I just prefer the look of fish of the same species that are kept in pairs...I just think it looks nicer...I'm going to be a total nightmare when I get started on more territorial fish! Its only going to be a little tank in my room, I eventually plan to get a far bigger tank and fill it with all sorts of exciting stuff when I have more experience, but at the moment a pair of clowns and a gramma or jawfish would do me fine, I'm not too fussed about having lots of different species in the one tank.

Thanks for all the help...I'm going abroad in the summer for three months, so the tank wont be getting started until at least October so I have a good while to work out costs!

 

[RoyalGrammaPrincessHannah]

Thanks for all the info...I think I prefer the one fish for ten gallons lol! I'm still a bit confused about the whole live rock thing, everyone I speak to tells me something different about it, but it sounds totally ideal for the kind of set up I want. I want to keep two clowns because I'm particularly fond of clownfish and I just prefer the look of fish of the same species that are kept in pairs...I just think it looks nicer...I'm going to be a total nightmare when I get started on more territorial fish! Its only going to be a little tank in my room, I eventually plan to get a far bigger tank and fill it with all sorts of exciting stuff when I have more experience, but at the moment a pair of clowns and a gramma or jawfish would do me fine, I'm not too fussed about having lots of different species in the one tank.

Thanks for all the help...I'm going abroad in the summer for three months, so the tank wont be getting started until at least October so I have a good while to work out costs!

Live rock is rock with micro and macro organisms living on and inside of it. It will have coralline algae and lots of other miscellaneous plant life. Ever heard of hitch-hikers? These come in on live rock and are commonly crabs, worms, just hardy little creatures. If you utilize it as filtration by powerheads, it really makes the water feel more native to the fish and it filters the water well, and naturally. Its putting a piece of the ocean in your tank, making re-creating that complex ecosystem much easier. Look through liveaquaria.com's live rock section and you will learn things about it.