| We're talking Freshwater Tropical Fish here, so | | | | shortened lifespan. |
| keep your mind clean! | | | | In the real world, if a fish or group of fish decides |
| There is the oft quoted one inch per gallon rule of | | | | that it doesn't like the other species or individual, |
| thumb - but this should really be in large quotes | | | | the fish will automatically relocate to a safer area |
| and with red circles round it - as it really only | | | | where it can settle down and not be disturbed. |
| applies to certain common species of friendly fish | | | | So when sizing your own tank and species that |
| that are generally small in size and nature. | | | | you are wanting to keep - you have to bear in |
| So for example a beginner (once the water | | | | mind that one or two of the fish may wish to |
| chemistry is right) with a 20 gallon tank might get | | | | re-locate to another part of the tank, and your |
| themselves 6 neon tetra, two mollies, two platys, | | | | calculation sums must take that into account. |
| 4 guppies, and a small Plecostomus. However it | | | | Some literature advises you that doing water |
| would not work to have two discus fish, two | | | | changes, being on top of maintenance and having |
| small Oscars and four lake Malawi cichlids... | | | | lots of plants can increase the number of fish that |
| This is not just a problem with size. It has to do | | | | your tank can take. |
| with food and water chemistry requirements, | | | | THIS IS RUBBISH! |
| species aggression, aeration of the water, species | | | | Not doing partial water changes, having a poor |
| ability to understand other species behavior, | | | | maintenance regime and having very few plants |
| quality of filtration and many other minor reasons. | | | | LOWERS the number of fish you can keep. |
| When crowded, fish exhibit stress patterns that | | | | Nothing can increase the maximum number you |
| result in: | | | | have in a tank... |
| - fish continuously hiding/missing feeding time | | | | My experience is that if you add fish slowly and |
| - poor colouring | | | | gradually, then you will have a happy and healthy |
| - improper fin formation | | | | group of fish - and remember safely bringing your |
| And, most importantly, slowly losing their inherent | | | | tank's population up to the maximum load can |
| resistance to disease resulting in significantly | | | | take up to 6 months. |