When an artificial habitat is created for freshwater fish, one should not assume that the ability of these fish to survive in densely populated areas is limitless and that they will peacefully coexist with others regardless of species. To create and maintain a healthy, safe and harmonious fresh water aquarium, it is important to get the stocking levels and the type of fish to stock, just right.
How many fish?
The amount of fish you can stock will depend on the capacity of your tank and the adult sizes of the fish you want to introduce.
One of the easiest ways to get an idea of how many fish your tank can accommodate is by using a Rule of Thumb of 1" per gallon. This means that if your tank has a capacity of 80 gallons, you will theoretically be able to accommodate 80" of fish.
From a practical perspective, you will never add the full 80" of fish to your 80 gallon tank. Larger bodied species, such as goldfish, displace more water and produce more waste than a smaller bodied species such as zebra fish. Also, an 80 gallon tank will hold less than 80 gallons because the ornaments, gravel, equipment and plants you will be adding to the tank, will reduce the water volume.
When you perform your rule of thumb calculation, base it on the adult size of the fish. If you intend buying mature fish, measure the fish from its head to the base of its tail. If you prefer babies or juveniles, ask the pet store how big the fish will get. Fortunately most pet stores have labels on their tanks nowadays, which offer all sorts of useful information, including adult size, habitat and temperament, to prospective buyers.
As is the case with all rules of thumb, this one too is an estimate. If yours is an odd shaped tank, it would serve you well to use a surface area calculation instead. More information on surface area calculations can be found at the following URLs:
Resist fully stocking your tank in a single go, even if your tank has completed its nitrogen cycle and the beneficial bacteria in the aquarium are established. Only add a maximum of two fish per week. The tank's ecosystem will need to adjust to the increased waste produced by the new inhabitants. Consider starting off with hardy species such as Zebra Danios or White Clouds, and then moving on to Cherry or Tiger Barbs.
At a practical level, make a list of the fish you wish to add and write the adult size of each next to each one of these fish. This will become an important list, which you will probably end up referring to often in planning which fish to stock where, so keep it in a safe place!
Fewer fish are always better than too many. Overcrowding can lead to a host of unnecessary problems. In an overpopulated tank, fish can turn hostile and aggressive towards each other. They can also have a tendency to overeat if competition for food is perceived. Overeating leads to an increase in waste that could become too much for even an efficient filter to process.
A polluted environment causes damage to the fish's gills and as a result, impairs its ability to breathe. This type of damage is irreversible. Illness and disease inevitably follows and may well result in death.
Stock Your Aquarium's Space Evenly
When choosing fish for your aquarium, select fish that occupy different levels in the tank. By doing that, you will ensure that the fish won't need to compete for space. The reward is a visually appealing aquarium, evenly filled with all sorts of different fish.
- Top Level Fish: Fish that live at the top level of the aquarium will add interest to an otherwise undecorated, bare space in the tank. Top dwelling fish generally have upturned mouths, designed for feeding at the water's surface. Some species of top dwelling fish, such as Hatchetfish and Betta, are strong jumpers. If your tank contains jumpers, replace the lid immediately after feeding and maintenance.
- Middle Level Fish: The middle level of the aquarium could be the most striking. Stock this level with a mixture of schooling fish and larger colorful fish, such as different varieties of Angels, Rainbows, Gouramis and Goldfish.
- Bottom Dwelling Fish: Bottom dwellers, like Cory and Catfish, have down-turned mouths, enabling them to feed on those morsels of food that fall to the bottom of the tank. Bottom level fish help keep the substrate clean as they scour the bottom for food. Offer fast-sinking foods at feeding times to ensure that these fish get their fair share.
Fish Compatibility
The diverse characters and temperaments of fish result in some species getting along well with certain types of fish and not at all with others. You need to do some research on the compatibility of fish at the various levels before stocking your aquarium. These two links: http://www.ratemyfishtank.com/freshwater_compatibility_tool.php and http://www.ratemyfishtank.com/freshwater_compatibility_chart.php have extensive compatibility charts on the different fish, which will come in very useful when making your decision.
Plant life
Besides checking the compatibility between different species of fish, you also need to look into how the different fish will react to the accessories and the plants you want to add to the aquarium. Your aquarium plants could be nibbled away in no time at all if you put them in a tank containing Silver Dollars or worse still, you could find them completely uprooted by your Goldfish or Oscars. The solution is choosing plants to suit your fish or opt for artificial ones instead.
The ornaments in a fish tank are not solely for aesthetic purposes, it also offers shelter and safety to the fish. When you choose ornaments, make the fish's requirements your primary selection criteria and then only the aesthetics. Fortunately the wide selection of ornaments on the market means that both you and the fish can be accommodated with ease.
Conclusion
A successful freshwater aquarium is a properly planned aquarium. Consider the time you spend calculating, resolving compatibility issues and researching, an investment. Planning saves you money and effort in the long term, and ensures the lasting enjoyment you initially set out to achieve.
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