Biggest Fish you will accomodate in your current tank
- Thread starter redtailfool
- Start date
spryandspringy said:That just has to be a PhotoShop-altered picture. That's absolutely insane.
I used to think so too. But upon closer inspection, things were too perfect. It's hard to believe that someone would do that, but there are a lot of nice looking fish in there.
It is not as bad as it looks, I remember that thread, that is a view from the end of a long tank, NOT a front view!!! All the fish came down to one end ( for feeding I think) when he took the shot. Still a pretty shocking picture, eh?
My common rule of thumb is always allow a fish 4-6" of turning space, but the more the better.
Combination of fish crammed into a tank is based on agression, filtration and maintenance.
Combination of fish crammed into a tank is based on agression, filtration and maintenance.
Howdy,
I may be in the minority here, but I believe that an aquarium should provide the best environment for the fish, and shouldn't be just a cage to house it in. The best environment is shown by nature, and I rule out drought as a tank scenario!
(although naturally occurring, it is tremendous stress on the ecosystem)
It is sad to see large fish in tanks that are too small for them to make even two strokes before hitting the wall. If it was a cat or a dog, people would have much more empathy for the animal. Who would house a German Shepherd in a 6'x6' bathroom 24/7?! Those fish are kings where they come from, and they are being kept like prisoners. They may be healthy and big, but they are still not kings.
Having said that, this is the MonsterFishkeepers. A noble hobby and a difficult task. Go big guys. If in doubt, go bigger! Not only our fish should be monstrous, but so should also be our tanks! Having a big fish in a tank where it cannot swim freely without bumping into glass is not cool, it's not monstrous, and it's certainly nothing to brag about. As a matter of fact it's a shame.
To answer the original question in general terms: I tend to upgrade my tanks when the fish grow to exceed 1/10-1/7 of the total tank length. That depends on the species, but is a good rule of thumb. If you cannot provide for the fish you want to keep, then you shouldn't get them. Just like you shouldn't get a German Shepherd if you can only offer it a 6'x6' bathroom to live in.
HarleyK
I may be in the minority here, but I believe that an aquarium should provide the best environment for the fish, and shouldn't be just a cage to house it in. The best environment is shown by nature, and I rule out drought as a tank scenario!
(although naturally occurring, it is tremendous stress on the ecosystem)It is sad to see large fish in tanks that are too small for them to make even two strokes before hitting the wall. If it was a cat or a dog, people would have much more empathy for the animal. Who would house a German Shepherd in a 6'x6' bathroom 24/7?! Those fish are kings where they come from, and they are being kept like prisoners. They may be healthy and big, but they are still not kings.
Having said that, this is the MonsterFishkeepers. A noble hobby and a difficult task. Go big guys. If in doubt, go bigger! Not only our fish should be monstrous, but so should also be our tanks! Having a big fish in a tank where it cannot swim freely without bumping into glass is not cool, it's not monstrous, and it's certainly nothing to brag about. As a matter of fact it's a shame.
To answer the original question in general terms: I tend to upgrade my tanks when the fish grow to exceed 1/10-1/7 of the total tank length. That depends on the species, but is a good rule of thumb. If you cannot provide for the fish you want to keep, then you shouldn't get them. Just like you shouldn't get a German Shepherd if you can only offer it a 6'x6' bathroom to live in.
HarleyK
Well said HarleyK. I know in my 200, I would be uncomfortable housing anything over 15". Nothing makes an 8' tank look smaller to me than a bunch of 24" fish swimming around in it. It is for this reason that I am already working on the plans for a larger custom aquarium to house my rtc and tsn (and all of the other monsters my wife wants) when they get past the 15" - 18" mark.
