Definition of overstocking

[Severum]

I'm curious as to what people consider to be overstock...

I've adhered to the freshwater concept of one inch of fish per one gallon of water, and in my own tanks, been very careful to keep my fish count below that.

For example, I have a 54-gallon glass corner bowfront tank. In it resides 33 inches of fish in the form of two Gold Severums, one Blood Parrot, one Pleco and one F8 Puffer. However, the cichlids are not full grown yet - I'm counting the inches they have the potential to become rather than what they are now. I'd be willing to go up to 48 inches, but the group seems happy as it stands and I've not found the right fish yet.

Anyhoo, what is your definition of overstocking/overcrowding? Is it a species thing? I'm reading a lot of posts about people's tanks that I'd define as overstocked, but I'm still relatively new to fishkeeping and these people seem to know what they're doing. A comparison I heard once is "If you have more than one inch/one gallon, it's like living in a minivan and swimming in a toilet".

Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[MOA]

I actually differentiate between overstocking and overcrowding:

"Some new aquarists I have met assume that if their filters are large enough they can keep as many fish as they want. Unfortunately for all those aquarists who spend hundreds of dollars on new and better filters, it is not true that a big filter allows the aquarist to keep whatever he or she wishes. Filters are needed, but they are not the magic bullet that will solve all aquarium problems. Ensuring that the filter is big enough relates to the condition of overstocking, but overcrowding is a different beast altogether. Overcrowding, as the name suggests, refers to when a fish feels crowded. This crowded feeling is different for all fish. Some small fish, for example, feel crowded when they have to live with larger more aggressive fish. Small fish never completely lose their fear of predators and can become quite stressed if forced to live with larger fish (even if the big fish are completely harmless). Bigger fish, on the other hand, are often territorial and become stressed if they find other fish in their territory. The net result of this crowding concern is that even if the filter can handle the waste produced by all the fish, it cannot keep the fish from stressing each other out."

As to specifics on the stocking capacity of various aquarium systems, check out the link in my signature.

Happy Hunting,
MOA

 

[OrangeCones]

I've never thought the '1 inch of fish per 1 gallon of water' made much sense. If you are talking about a neon tetra or a guppy, that might work. But would you put a 10" fish in a 10gallon tank?

 

[Severum]

Thank you! I am still trying to learn and understand, and your information helps a lot, MOA. Good question, OrangeCones - no, I guess it wouldn't be a good idea to stuff a big fish in a little tank.

 

[anshuman]

If you have to change water regularly more than 30-40% every week to keep the water clean-looking and nitrates below 20, the tank is overstocked. (my goldfish 46G tank with 19" total length of goldfish pair with 20 juvies batch, which will be sold in a week).

If you see all fish stressed when moving around (like killifish which has huge personal space bubble and gets angry when breached) you have overcrowded tank. Like my killifish tank in sig.


If your tank stays clean for 2-3 weeks with nitrates below or equal to 10 and fish are not angry/nervous/stressed when moving around, you have balanced tank.

 

[OrangeCones]

I know what you mean about the 'personal space' some need.

I have one species of fish (Badis badis) and I have 7 females in a 29 gallon tank, no issues at all. They don't school together, but coexist peacefully, except to bully each other over who gets to eat first (mostly just displaying colors and bluffing, never nipping fins or chasing).

I have a 20 gallon tank and two males in there. One is an adult, one is still a juvie. The adult needs about 19 of those 20 gallons as his son has aged. He allowed him to co-exisit until about a month ago, when he now views him as a rival. Despite plenty of hiding places, caves, driftwood, and tons of plants, he still seeks to drive out his son (who is getting his own tank this weekend).

So, two fish under 3" is too much for my 20 gallon. But I can move a school of 20 Celestial Pearl Danio back with no problems, to live with either ONE of the two male Badis badis.

 

[bassbonediva]

My definition of overcrowding is epitomized by a tank I saw when I got my guppies last year. They were from a free ad on Craigslist (never doing THAT again!). When I went to pick them up, the people had three tanks running. Two 20gHs and a 29gal. In the 29gal were over 100 guppies (from newborn fry all the way up to massive 3" females), two comet goldfish (one 6", the other 7") and an 18" common pleco. The two 20gHs were on a tiered stand. The one on top had two 8-10" fantail goldfish and at least 50+ guppies, along with three (that I saw) ADFs. The tank on the bottom had two 12" fancy goldfish who were so massive and fat that they could BARELY turn around in the tank. THAT is my idea of an overstocked tank.