1 Inch of Fish Per Gallon of Water Rule

The 1 inch of fish per liter of water control


As a frequent browser several fish and aquarium forums, I often come on a lot of things about me go "make Huh?". You'll also see this one inch of fish per liter) of water rule (or guideline to some of the fish and aquarium-represented sites in the network. Let's talk about why this rule does not hold water.

Size Matters (fish)

While this rule for some of the smaller species of fish available to us to work, it does not work for the majority. You see, growing fish. Most of the fish that we are receiving, held by the local fish and when we have young people through its current size when purchasing if you are the rule, we are definitely problems as they grow.

If your bearing 10 liter tank with ten, 1 inch Oscars, you will soon need either a Rogaine, Excedrin, a new tank or all of the above. Oscars may be, for example, grows to over 12 inches as adults! So if you have a constant flow of fresh water aquarium, give this 10 gallon tank and under the assumption that they were not together (NOT!) And assume that they would fight to live to maturity, you may have 120 inches of fish in your 10 liter tank. Just a bit crowded.

I could see where you could use this rule to say, 5 - two-inch neon tetras in a 10 liter tank. This would be my opinion, still overcrowded, even if water to ensure optimal conditions. It is definitely not as bad as the Oscar-scenario. Look at the size of adult fish potential purchases before buying, to see if they go well in your aquarium.

View Aquarium Shape

We must also remember that large fish need more oxygen dissolved in the water than smaller fish. Big fish also produce large quantities of waste. Leave us a 10 liter tank, for example again. A 10-inch Oscar produce significantly more waste than 10, 1 inch neon tetras. During the same 10-inch Oscar too much dissolved oxygen as the need tetras. If you shaped molded a 10 gallon rectangular tank, it would be better than a 10 gallon tank large hexagon. The rectangular tank is taking place to ensure a larger surface area for gas exchange. Carbon dioxide is passed, the water and oxygen enter the water at the surface of the tank. That is why you are here, sometimes people favor more surface agitation in heavily stocked tanks. This surface agitation allowing gas exchange.

Fish Temperament is also important to

If you are on your 10 gallon aquarium with 3 Neon Tetras stock (approx. 6 cm for adults) and 1 Convict cichlid (about 4 cm as an adult) they recommended was in the 10 inches by this silly rule, and you can believe it is to go in order and to receive this combination. Well, how many Convict cichlid keeper would you say these 3 Neon Tetras probably not long for that setup last. If they have not eaten, they can be harassed to death by these cichlid fighting. Although holding only one in this tank, it can limit aggression, I would be willing to bet that the neons would not last a month in this tank.

These were just some of the things I thought I'd throw it to those who use this rule to have their tanks in stock. I hope you can say that it does not take the best rule, and that it really works only for the small fish species that stay small. But even then, why make more work for yourself exhausted with water changes in your tank? Stock on the bright side and make less work for you. Your fish can behave very differently even more space and less competition for aquarium food.