Fish per tank

415 Views 11 Replies 6 Participants Last post by lastyboy, Apr 23, 2003

lastyboy

Discussion Starter · Apr 23, 2003

Hi all

As the topic suggests, i need to find out the how many fish per gallons.

I read somwhere it was something like for every P you need 30 gallons.

It might not be accurate, anyone???

Cheers

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1 - 12 of 12 Posts

There really is no formula, too many variables. Different fish grow at different rates achieving different sizes. It also depends on if you are looking too keep fish in that size for life or a few years. I use the theory that if they looked cramped, they are. Therefore, I had 9 pygos in a 125 ranging from 5" - 8", looked and felt cramped, so now I have 8. When that starts to look and feel cramped, I will have 7.
There is no science to it; I just go with my gut.

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lastyboy

Discussion Starter · #3 · Apr 23, 2003

I have been offered an 137.50 gallon tank, with light, heater, filter, the works!!!!!

I am assuming that should be ok for my 3 RBP's???

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Young Gotti

· #4 · Apr 23, 2003 (Edited by Moderator)

U could probably put 7 or 8 in there nicely.

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lastyboy

Discussion Starter · #5 · Apr 23, 2003

Eventually id like to have more, but id have to get similar sized P's, otherise bigger would eat kill smaller-is that right?????

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Grosse Gurke

· #6 · Apr 23, 2003

Yes, but you should get more than 3. If I were you I would start out with 10-12 reds. I have a mix of pygos and some have claimed more room than others, with the reds having the smallest territories. I dont know if this is because they are the smallest, but that is what is happening in my tank. If after a period of time it looks cramped or they are fighting too much, you can always sell off some. It is easier to remove fish than add them.

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lastyboy

Discussion Starter · #7 · Apr 23, 2003

Yeah i see what your saying Grosse,

But i want to do this gradually, once i know the fish are healthy and im doing everything ok, i will be getting a bigger tank in a month or so, and them i'll add more, is that advisable do you think?????

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Grosse Gurke

· #8 · Apr 23, 2003

That will work fine, I have added and removed pygos with no problems.

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RhomZilla

· #9 · Apr 23, 2003

In your 137.50 (?) gal tank can house up to 8-9 Pygos. Most radicals would tell you 20 gal per P. But that rule can also be bent, (15 gal per P) if tanks size is over 80 gal. Also other factors would be if the shoal grew up together, and if they're well fed and taken cared of.

I have a 125 gal tank with 8 RBs, I know another who had 15 in the same tank and still managed to keep them healthy.

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SnowCichlid

· #10 · Apr 23, 2003

Everyones opinion is comletly different so I would say as long as you do some research and do something that doesn't seem unreasonable to you and works for the fish then go for it :

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thePACK

· #11 · Apr 23, 2003

grosse gurke said:
There really is no formula, too many variables. Different fish grow at different rates achieving different sizes. It also depends on if you are looking too keep fish in that size for life or a few years. I use the theory that if they looked cramped, they are. Therefore, I had 9 pygos in a 125 ranging from 5" - 8", looked and felt cramped, so now I have 8. When that starts to look and feel cramped, I will have 7.
There is no science to it; I just go with my gut.