What size tank?

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soggysandwich

soggysandwich

Fire Eel
MFK Member
Jun 28, 2006
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Chicago, IL
Of the few years i have been keeping fish i was always told you can have 1in of fish for every gallon. but now when im reading, when the fish are bigger like oscars and they get 12" they need a 50gallon tank. but according to the 1" per gallon they would only need a 12gallon tank. so what is a good rule to go by when it comes to knowing the size tank to get for a fish depending on its size? Thanks
 
make sure the tank is atleast as wide as the fish, and 2-3 times longer than the fish.
(this only applies to larger fish and is only general, there are many exceptions to the "rule")
 
I would say it should be about as wide as the fish is long, and 2 or 3 times the lenght of the fish. But this is probvably a MINIMUM.

For example Oscar: tank would be: width: 12", length 36". But that is in fact smaller than a 55g which is usually the minimum...
 
just a few inches wider then the fish is long so it makes it easier to turn around and at least 3 times the length of the fish so they arent constantly going in circles. i say the 1 inch of fish per gallon rule is for smaller fish like danios, tetras and stuff like that.
 
For fish other than guppies, neons, etc. (small community fish), you need 3-5 gallons per inch of fish.

For instance, 10 neon tetras lined up end to end. And then a 10-inch oscar. "See" the difference?

HINT: MUCH more waste and BIG messes!
 
With larger fish, I go by weight. And I also like to keep fish (or any animal) in an enclosure where they can reach and maintain full speed for a good amount of time.
 
Have you seen a 12" Oscar in a 12 g tank LOL... How bout a 48" Silver aro in a 48 gallon tank LOL.. Sorry man i'm not trying to be mean you just made me picture these things:) and i got the giggles:)I was under that belief for a while when i started as well.. It is false with large predatory fish, and other larger fish... SOme smaller fish you can get away with this rule... But as far as most the fish you will find on this site... Nodda:) More like 5-10 g's to every inch :) Now if i could just afford a 480 g tank :) My 150 is overstocked as it is:)
 
Gee said:
With larger fish, I go by weight. And I also like to keep fish (or any animal) in an enclosure where they can reach and maintain full speed for a good amount of time.
Click to expand...
How big is your tank :)
 
as big as you can... bigger mean less work, more fun...
 
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