Is this too many?

Shaas3p · 05-28-2005, 10:44 AM

Normally about how many fish can you put in a 29 gallon tank?

shev · 05-28-2005, 10:54 AM

what kind of fish? I'd use the one inch per gallon rule only on the smaller to medium sized community fish like tetras or some danios, and live bearers.

Celeste · 05-28-2005, 11:00 AM

i use the one linear INCH of fish per gallon rule, but i like to leave a bit of extra room. so like if you have a 29 gallon tank, i'd only get fish who at their ADULT size (unless you plan to upgrade the tank, always go with adult size) will all add up to be about 20-23" long. HOWEVER, that is only for multiple fish. never put one 20" fish in a 29 gallon tank.... same rules apply at smaller tank sizes.....never put a 10" fish in a 10 gallon tank...the fish need room to move....

so i'd say about five to six 3-5" fish or maybe ten to twelve 2" fish, etc.

fishfreaks · 05-30-2005, 08:48 PM

it really depends on what type of fish you want to keep

ALFA WOLF · 05-30-2005, 08:51 PM

I agree with all leave room, 1 inch a gallon, and dont buy fish to inch ecally 29 gallons cause they will grow and u might need to ad ornaments and it will be a big mess.

Lisachromis · 05-30-2005, 09:11 PM

The 1"/gallon rule really only applies to small fish like neon tetras and the like. Bigger fish tend to get a lot of mass, which is really what is more important than the length of a fish once they start getting big. So basically, you need to decide what species of fish you want, and then maybe ask if they are compatible and how many will fit in the 29.

ALFA WOLF · 05-30-2005, 10:08 PM

I think that it should be on how big the fish bets at max if it gets 20 then a 29 woudl be just barley making it.

Shaas3p · 05-30-2005, 10:47 PM

Well, I've got 2 gourmis, 3 neon tetras, 1 aquatic frog about an inch long or less, 1 bala shark, and two fish that are the size of the bala shark. Which are about 2" long each. I did have a catfish and another neon tetra, but they bit the dust not too long ago, and I'm assuming I overstocked the tank. What do you guys think?

mlefev · 05-31-2005, 03:52 AM

Well although bala sharks are not super aggressive, they can be testy. That could have had something to do with a fish dying. Catfish also are prone to bizarre deaths (at least that's what my friends have convinced me of.)

I only have a 10 gallon and have 3 neons, 3 danios, 1 platy and one cory (yes I know I need to find him friends). But they're all fine, and the platy is becoming a giant...not quite 2 inches, but definately close.

It doesn't sound like you're overstocked. It might be that the fish you're keeping in the tank don't live within the same water temperatures or chemical balance. The www.liveaquaria.com site that people keep posting on here gives you a little more of the profiles of the fish you're keeping. Maybe you can find something that is causing a conflict.

The other possibility is that you just ended up with a couple of sick fish and the others might just be fine and dandy.

**Fishfirst** · 05-31-2005, 11:44 AM

Your bala will need a bigger tank, most balas don't do well at all in a small tank like that. See balas can get 13 inches long, love to school, and would prefer any tank bigger than 125 gallons. More than likely the misterious deaths are either water quality issues or disease. Have your water tested ASAP and find that Bala a good home.

euRasian32 · 05-31-2005, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Celeste

i use the one linear INCH of fish per gallon rule, but i like to leave a bit of extra room. so like if you have a 29 gallon tank, i'd only get fish who at their ADULT size (unless you plan to upgrade the tank, always go with adult size) will all add up to be about 20-23" long. HOWEVER, that is only for multiple fish. never put one 20" fish in a 29 gallon tank.... same rules apply at smaller tank sizes.....never put a 10" fish in a 10 gallon tank...the fish need room to move....

so i'd say about five to six 3-5" fish or maybe ten to twelve 2" fish, etc.

Well said. I almost always forget to leave out ...

"HOWEVER, that is only for multiple fish. never put one 20" fish in a 29 gallon tank.... "

Alin10123 · 05-31-2005, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlefev

Well although bala sharks are not super aggressive, they can be testy. That could have had something to do with a fish dying. Catfish also are prone to bizarre deaths (at least that's what my friends have convinced me of.)

I only have a 10 gallon and have 3 neons, 3 danios, 1 platy and one cory (yes I know I need to find him friends). But they're all fine, and the platy is becoming a giant...not quite 2 inches, but definately close.

It doesn't sound like you're overstocked. It might be that the fish you're keeping in the tank don't live within the same water temperatures or chemical balance. The www.liveaquaria.com site that people keep posting on here gives you a little more of the profiles of the fish you're keeping. Maybe you can find something that is causing a conflict.

The other possibility is that you just ended up with a couple of sick fish and the others might just be fine and dandy.

Balas are kind of testy.
Previously when i was living at home with my parents and taking care of their fish, i had 3-4 bala sharks in the tank. After a while they started to get big. They seemed happy and i always keeped them well fed.
I was cleaning the tank one day and one actually bit me. That's right. Bit me... hurt like heck too.
I've been nervous about those ever since. Oh yea... at the time, the clueless lfs (out of business now) actually said it was ok to put the bala sharks in with the community fish. Big mistake, after a few months, i actually saw chunks bitten out of fish and later on i even saw a few corpses with mostly skeletal remains showing.

So be very careful about balasharks with small community fish.

margo · 06-01-2005, 02:23 PM

I have found that you can cram a bunch of fish in just about any tank as long as you have a whole lot of floating plantlife so they can hide in it. They enjoy playing hide and seek.

Pac-Man · 06-01-2005, 03:44 PM

margo, plz don't give that kind of advice...nobody should "cram" fish into a tank, thats horrible. although plants do eliminate some nitrates and help oxygentate the water, that will not allow you to cram fish into a tank...there are SO MANY MORE varriables you have to consider with fish...for instance, lets say I have a 20 gallon long tank, very heavily planted. well what you basically said as long as i had alot of plants I can cram anything into it right? Using your advice, I go and buy 8 red bellied pacus...now is that appropriate for my 20g long, even if it is heavily planted?...no. and Sha, as others said, your bala will need more room.

margo · 06-01-2005, 03:56 PM

I'm sorry Pac.

I just know that my mollies and platties had babies and they all acted like one big happy family in my tank. They would hide and chase each other in the floating plants. But I'm sorry if I gave the wrong advice. I'm only going by my experiences. But I won't say anything anymore.

Pac-Man · 06-01-2005, 04:03 PM

oh no, don't be srry. i'm sure you weren't applying it to the really big fish, but a newbie might not know the difference...I just didn't want ppl getting the wrong ideas...about stuffing big fish into small tanks...no hard feelings

margo · 06-01-2005, 04:21 PM

Oh, I didn't think of that. I'm used to little fish. You are right.

I would never recommend that anyone stuff BIG fish into a small tank. I just thought that went without saying. I have to be careful.

fishfreaks · 06-01-2005, 07:40 PM

not just "big fish" but more or less, cichlids.

05-28-2005, 10:44 AM	#1
Shaas3p Junior Member Join Date: May 2005 Age: 25 Posts: 4	Is this too many? Normally about how many fish can you put in a 29 gallon tank?

05-28-2005, 11:00 AM	#3
Celeste Guardian of Angolenor Join Date: May 2005 Location: Washington state Age: 23 Posts: 162	i use the one linear INCH of fish per gallon rule, but i like to leave a bit of extra room. so like if you have a 29 gallon tank, i'd only get fish who at their ADULT size (unless you plan to upgrade the tank, always go with adult size) will all add up to be about 20-23" long. HOWEVER, that is only for multiple fish. never put one 20" fish in a 29 gallon tank.... same rules apply at smaller tank sizes.....never put a 10" fish in a 10 gallon tank...the fish need room to move.... so i'd say about five to six 3-5" fish or maybe ten to twelve 2" fish, etc. __________________ Concealed by nights icy cloak Through the brambles, not a sound Whisper like a shade to choke With blades of venom, to the ground

05-30-2005, 08:48 PM	#4
fishfreaks M&F Couple Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: PA Age: 21 Posts: 4,272	it really depends on what type of fish you want to keep __________________ VOTE FOR FISH FORUMS

05-30-2005, 09:11 PM	#6
Lisachromis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 280	The 1"/gallon rule really only applies to small fish like neon tetras and the like. Bigger fish tend to get a lot of mass, which is really what is more important than the length of a fish once they start getting big. So basically, you need to decide what species of fish you want, and then maybe ask if they are compatible and how many will fit in the 29. __________________ Lisa's Lair Cichlid Room Companion

05-31-2005, 11:44 AM	#10
Fishfirst Fish Guru Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Northern Wisconsin Age: 24 Posts: 3,704 Blog Entries: 6	Your bala will need a bigger tank, most balas don't do well at all in a small tank like that. See balas can get 13 inches long, love to school, and would prefer any tank bigger than 125 gallons. More than likely the misterious deaths are either water quality issues or disease. Have your water tested ASAP and find that Bala a good home. __________________ 210 Gal Reef w/ 55 Gallon Sump/Fuge, 125 Gal Fish Only, 65 Gal Seahorse-29 Gallon Sump, 55 Gal FOWLR, 54 Gal Corner FW Community, 20 Gal Nano FOWLR, 55 Gal Piranha, 29 gallon QT "All the yellow tangs and clownfish in the world can't save you now! hahahah" Peter from Family Guy

Members currently in the Chat:0
	Users In Chat Room: There are several users in chat now! Don't Be Shy - click here and come on in!

05-28-2005, 10:54 AM	#2
shev Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Montana Age: 20 Posts: 1,620	what kind of fish? I'd use the one inch per gallon rule only on the smaller to medium sized community fish like tetras or some danios, and live bearers.

05-30-2005, 08:51 PM	#5
ALFA WOLF Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 414	I agree with all leave room, 1 inch a gallon, and dont buy fish to inch ecally 29 gallons cause they will grow and u might need to ad ornaments and it will be a big mess.

05-30-2005, 10:08 PM	#7
ALFA WOLF Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 414	I think that it should be on how big the fish bets at max if it gets 20 then a 29 woudl be just barley making it.

05-30-2005, 10:47 PM	#8
Shaas3p Junior Member Join Date: May 2005 Age: 25 Posts: 4	Well, I've got 2 gourmis, 3 neon tetras, 1 aquatic frog about an inch long or less, 1 bala shark, and two fish that are the size of the bala shark. Which are about 2" long each. I did have a catfish and another neon tetra, but they bit the dust not too long ago, and I'm assuming I overstocked the tank. What do you guys think?

05-31-2005, 03:52 AM	#9
mlefev Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: California Age: 26 Posts: 817	Well although bala sharks are not super aggressive, they can be testy. That could have had something to do with a fish dying. Catfish also are prone to bizarre deaths (at least that's what my friends have convinced me of.) I only have a 10 gallon and have 3 neons, 3 danios, 1 platy and one cory (yes I know I need to find him friends). But they're all fine, and the platy is becoming a giant...not quite 2 inches, but definately close. It doesn't sound like you're overstocked. It might be that the fish you're keeping in the tank don't live within the same water temperatures or chemical balance. The www.liveaquaria.com site that people keep posting on here gives you a little more of the profiles of the fish you're keeping. Maybe you can find something that is causing a conflict. The other possibility is that you just ended up with a couple of sick fish and the others might just be fine and dandy.

06-01-2005, 02:23 PM	#13
margo Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 44	I have found that you can cram a bunch of fish in just about any tank as long as you have a whole lot of floating plantlife so they can hide in it. They enjoy playing hide and seek.

06-01-2005, 03:44 PM	#14
Pac-Man Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Age: 5 Posts: 585	margo, plz don't give that kind of advice...nobody should "cram" fish into a tank, thats horrible. although plants do eliminate some nitrates and help oxygentate the water, that will not allow you to cram fish into a tank...there are SO MANY MORE varriables you have to consider with fish...for instance, lets say I have a 20 gallon long tank, very heavily planted. well what you basically said as long as i had alot of plants I can cram anything into it right? Using your advice, I go and buy 8 red bellied pacus...now is that appropriate for my 20g long, even if it is heavily planted?...no. and Sha, as others said, your bala will need more room. __________________ 29g Planted Open Top Community 1x65W Coralife PC, Sand, DIY C02 7 Neon Tetras 8 Lemon Tetras 5 Emerald Brochis 10g Planted Flourite, DIY C02 6x Java Fern 4 Cherry Barbs $$$Get Free CASH from Filling out Easy Surveys. PM me if you want some advice.$$$ Last edited by Pac-Man; 06-01-2005 at 03:48 PM.

06-01-2005, 03:56 PM	#15
margo Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 44	I'm sorry Pac. I just know that my mollies and platties had babies and they all acted like one big happy family in my tank. They would hide and chase each other in the floating plants. But I'm sorry if I gave the wrong advice. I'm only going by my experiences. But I won't say anything anymore.

06-01-2005, 04:03 PM	#16
Pac-Man Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Age: 5 Posts: 585	oh no, don't be srry. i'm sure you weren't applying it to the really big fish, but a newbie might not know the difference...I just didn't want ppl getting the wrong ideas...about stuffing big fish into small tanks...no hard feelings __________________ 29g Planted Open Top Community 1x65W Coralife PC, Sand, DIY C02 7 Neon Tetras 8 Lemon Tetras 5 Emerald Brochis 10g Planted Flourite, DIY C02 6x Java Fern 4 Cherry Barbs $$$Get Free CASH from Filling out Easy Surveys. PM me if you want some advice.$$$

06-01-2005, 04:21 PM	#17
margo Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 44	Oh, I didn't think of that. I'm used to little fish. You are right. I would never recommend that anyone stuff BIG fish into a small tank. I just thought that went without saying. I have to be careful.

06-01-2005, 07:40 PM	#18
fishfreaks M&F Couple Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: PA Age: 21 Posts: 4,272	not just "big fish" but more or less, cichlids. __________________ VOTE FOR FISH FORUMS

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode