Tank size vs. fish size

I'm used to keeping tropical fish but am wanting to try some natives for a change. I've always been told that most tropical fish like 1 gallon per 1" of fish, is there any general guidelines for natives? I'm thinking smaller bass, shiners or sunfish to start with but I haven't gotten a tank yet.

Thanks for your help.

I'm used to keeping tropical fish but am wanting to try some natives for a change. I've always been told that most tropical fish like 1 gallon per 1" of fish, is there any general guidelines for natives? I'm thinking smaller bass, shiners or sunfish to start with but I haven't gotten a tank yet.

Thanks for your help.

Depends on how many and what species. Pygmy sunfish atain a length of ~ 1.75 inches give or take. Blue Gill " think small whale". I like blue spotted and orange spotted and dollars. They are beautiful and except for the dollar sunny the others are fairly non aggressive. For the size of a dollar sunfish he/she can be quite scrappy. So let us know species and tank size then we can go from there. But If I had to ge rid of all the fish I have and keep one it would be the dollar sunfish fish I have. I have not seen a native fish as pretty as this one I have. But it depends on where the fish comes from also. Westerns = pretty , eastern shore = not so pretty.

I've always been told that most tropical fish like 1 gallon per 1" of fish...

It's not volume, it's surface area. For example, a 20-gallon long (30x12x12) and a 29-gallon (30x12x18) will hold the same number of fish, because they both have the same surface area (= base area). They both have surfaces of 30x12. Therefore, they can exchange the same amount of oxygen with the air above.

Length of fish is also not a good comparison. Two small fish may together have the same length as one big fish, but the big fish will have much more body volume/mass to sustain.

There are too many variables to say how many fish your tank will hold. With good filtration, and adequate water changes, you can put more fish than you think in there. Just get a test kit and keep an eye on your water quality parameters, especially ammonia.

It's not volume, it's surface area. For example, a 20-gallon long (30x12x12) and a 29-gallon (30x12x18) will hold the same number of fish, because they both have the same surface area (= base area). They both have surfaces of 30x12. Therefore, they can exchange the same amount of oxygen with the air above.

Length of fish is also not a good comparison. Two small fish may together have the same length as one big fish, but the big fish will have much more body volume/mass to sustain.

There are too many variables to say how many fish your tank will hold. With good filtration, and adequate water changes, you can put more fish than you think in there. Just get a test kit and keep an eye on your water quality parameters, especially ammonia.

Ya thats what I meant to say.

I've always been told that most tropical fish like 1 gallon per 1" of fish

This is one of those examples of bad advice that keeps getting repeated, and it should be knocked down every time it comes up.

Do 10x 1" tetras have the same tank space requirements as a single 10" oscar? (to use the tropical fish rule of thumb) Can you that a 10" oscar in a 10 gallon tank and expect him to be happy & healthy?

My personal opinion is the tank should be around 3.5-4x the length of the fish and atleast 1x for the width. So for like a 12" fish the tank should be around 4' by 1'. Some fish it differs but that is a good standard most of the time.

Chad

Thanks for the replies, they're going to be very helpful when I get my tank.

This is one of those examples of bad advice that keeps getting repeated, and it should be knocked down every time it comes up.

Do 10x 1" tetras have the same tank space requirements as a single 10" oscar? (to use the tropical fish rule of thumb) Can you that a 10" oscar in a 10 gallon tank and expect him to be happy & healthy?

Good answer/example. Depends on fish. One Oscar = 40 breeder to himself at the very minimun. How many tetras could you keep in that same forty? So there you have it. Not so simple as inch to gallon.

My personal opinion is the tank should be around 3.5-4x the length of the fish and atleast 1x for the width. So for like a 12" fish the tank should be around 4' by 1'. Some fish it differs but that is a good standard most of the time.

Chad

I agree with this 100%.

Good answer/example. Depends on fish. One Oscar = 40 breeder to himself at the very minimun. How many tetras could you keep in that same forty? So there you have it. Not so simple as inch to gallon.

Seriously? You would keep a 12-16" fish in a 40g? 55g minimum for an oscar IMO. Like chad said, 4x the length of the fish. I cannot imagine trying to keep up with the waste produced by an oscar in a 40g.