Question on fish capacities

[spiritskr]

Hello all,

I have a 30 gallon tank. I had 3 parrot-fish 4 severum, 2 (1/2") cat-fish, and 2 small pleckos (1" each). My tank recently crashed, and I lost all of the severum and 2 of the parrot-fish.
My question is: Does the 1" per gallon minus the tail rule really apply?
I calculated that all of the fish were only about 20 inches.
I was told that the 1" per gallon rule applies to small fish. That when you have full bodied fish (like Parrot-fish or severum) that rule doesnt really apply
Right now I am down to 1 parrot fish and 2 pleckos and a catfish

Thanks,

Gary

 

[Allivymar]

Aw, sorry bout the fish losses

The 1 inch = 1 gallon rule is an old wives tale and really isn't valid at all except in the case of small, small bodied fish as you mentioned. It doesn't take into account adult size, temperament, swimming area needs, effect on bioload, surface area available, etc.

For example, 10 inches of neon could live in 10g tank. A 10 inch oscar could not. Goldfish and angels need about 10g each, while a betta can live comfortably in a 1g tank.

One needs to research the fish they chose for their tanks and get an understanding of their needs before starting a tank IMHO. Saves on the grief you've had to go thru.