How many inches per gallon is the consnesus?

[spinman]

Wondering what you all consider as being the number of fish for a given tank.

It seems the general rule was 1" of fish per 5 gallons, but Paletta's book, The New Marine Aquarium suggests 1 " per 2 gallons.

Here's what I have so far in my 120 FOWLR:

2 clowns = 4"
1 YT = 2.5"
1 BHT = 3"
1 Foxface = 1.5
---------------------
Total 11"

I was thinking maybe a Purple Tang and then ending with a Flame Angel.

Appreciate your input.

Spin

 

[Kohan Bros.]

personally id never let a rule decide what fish to get and what not to get. the rule changes fish to fish depending on a lot of differant elements that can not be measured. also something not sure about smaller fish but i know when working with some lager fish look at the foot print of the tank or area(length x width) for instance tangs need more swimming area inturn a larger footprint. not sure what a BHT is but id only go with one tang, other then that i think your list is good you problly have room for the flame angel if you want it

 

[melosu58]

I never go by any rule either. I take into consideration the occupantsand their cause

 

[courtneyclv]

Plus...if you have 120 lbs of live rock, won't that take up about 50 percent of the tanks space. I am assuming that when they say 1 inch per 5 gallons or whatever, that is the amount of water without all of the aquascaping?

 

[roka64]

I am assuming that when they say 1 inch per 5 gallons or whatever, that is the amount of water without all of the aquascaping?

Yes.

not sure what a BHT

Blue Hippo Tang? Right?

I agree with the rest. There is a "rule" but, as stated before, it depends on your inhabitants and their needs.

 

[spinman]

All I know is, sometimes when you look at my tank, you'd think it had no fish in it!!
It seems so empty with the five fish I have.

In any event, my new plans are to get 2 B XW Henis which are active swimmers. After that, go with the PT and FA.

Spin