[AutumnPine]

I have a 29g tank fowlr. I still have some time to go before it finishes cycling. I am trying to plan what to stock it with but not really sure what a tank that size will hold in livestock. Any advice you could give would sure help alot.

[John Hamilton]

Tell us what you would like to have.

[AutumnPine]

I would really like to have a red pearlscale butterfly, vagabond butterfly, and I love the spiney box puffer. I'm not really sure after that. I'm still researching to make sure my choices are compatible.

[John Hamilton]

The Pearlscale is going to need a 50+ established aquarium.

The Vagabond needs 70+ with lots of places to hide and swim, it gets up to 8"

The puffer gets up to 10" and needs a large tank as well. Plus it is rated as difficult.

[AutumnPine]

After checking it out a little more I see that you're right. I am leaning more toward a coral beauty, if my resources are right it will be okay in a 29 gal. and maybe a royal gramma. I am finding that my choices are somewhat limited. i welcome any suggestions.

[John Hamilton]

Two great choices. But instead of the Coral Beauty, try a Pygmy Angel. Hawkfish have great personalities, as well as a Bi Color Blenny.

[AutumnPine]

thanks for the insight, I'll check it out!

[John Hamilton]

This is the livestock I have in my 175 and with the exception of the Mandrin Goby, they should all do fine in your 29. Not all at once though.

• Six Dwarf Angels; Fire, Lemon Peel, Coral Beauty, Potters, Rusty and ½ black.
• Royal Gramma
• Spotted Hawk
• Two each Fiji and Yellow Tail Damsels
• Four Green Chromis
• Bi Color Blenny
• Banded Goby
• Maroon Clown
• Six Line Wrasse
• Mandrin Goby

[Frag Hag]

What about a pair of seahorses?

[AutumnPine]

I like the setup you have in your 175, I think if it doesnt over load my tank I'm gonna go with the flame and lemon peel, spotted hawk, and the mandarin goby. And of course, not all at once. Thanks again for the advice. This hobby can be a little intimidating when you first start out but eases the nerves to know you can find someone who is willing to help out. I have checked out some other sites and haven't really found any that gives you a feeling of really being a part of whats going on the way that this site does.

[John Hamilton]

It would be wise to put both the Angels in at the same time. What I meant was not that many fish in a 29.

[AutumnPine]

I understand that my tank clearly won't hold the load a 175 will. Are you saying that a flame, lemonpeel, spotted hawk and the mandarin goby will be too much for my size tank? Also, I should or shouldn't put both angels in at the same time? I'm not really clear on what you meant.

[Ninong]

If your tank is only 29 gallons, it's really too small for any of the dwarf angelfish except Centropyge argi. And it's definitely too small for two dwarf angelfish of different species in the same genera. Boy, would that be asking for trouble.

It's also too small for a Mandarin Dragonet. They require larger tanks with lots and lots of live rock loaded with copepods to thrive. I don't think it's a good idea to put even a single Mandarin Dragonet in any tank with less than 75 lbs of live rock.

[AutumnPine]

Well, I quess that puts me back to my original question which maybe I should revise. What is the general rule for fish per gallon in any system? Is there a formula? I would love to be able to have a larger tank but unfortunately don't have the space for it.

[Ninong]

Originally Posted by AutumnPine

What is the general rule for fish per gallon in any system? Is there a formula?

No, there is no formula. There are some hilarious rules-of-thumb put forth in some so-called books on the subject but these are totally a joke and the people who repeat them are doing a great disservice to newcomers who don't know any better.

There are several factors to take into consideration. You can start with biomass. One 8" tang would not equal four 2" gobies. In fact, one 8" tang would equal more than 100 2" gobies. So any rules-of-thumb based on so many inches of fish per gallon of water are absurd.

Then you have to consider the behavior of the fish in question. Is it a bottom dweller that doesn't stray very far from it's small territory or is it a free swimming fish that roams over a very large area. There is a big difference in the space requirements of a clownfish and a tang.

Then you have to consider whether your prospective fish plays well with others. You don't want to buy something that will eat its playmates. And if you intend to someday add corals, shrimp, snails, hermit crabs, etc., you have to consider whether your prospective fish will eat any of those.

[AutumnPine]

thanks for the info. Luckily I still have some time before I can get any fish. That will enable me to do a little more research on what would be suitable for my setup.