Time For Fish!
So you have your new aquarium all set up, but something is missing. Probably...some fish? Before you run out and buy every fish in the pet store, there are a few things to consider.
First, and probably the most frequently asked question, how many fish can I put in my tank? The (way) over-simplified, generic answer is: one inch of fish per gallon. Having said that, here are all the caveats:
Type of fish: some fish produce more waste than others. For example, a 2-inch oranda is a lot dirtier than a similar-size tetra.
Adult fish size: like it or not, some fish are going to grow. They may even outgrow your tank. And no, the size of the tank will NOT determine the size of the fish...ask anyone with an oscar. However, it has been noted that fish grow slower in smaller tanks, presumably because they give off a growth-regulating hormone. While researchers are busy answering this question, we fish hobbyists will just have to take the adult size of a fish into consideration BEFORE buying it.
Territory: some fish need space of their own. The more fish you add, the less space each fish gets. This can lead to fish warfare in the more agressive species, or stress and even death for the shy fish. Ornaments and plants will help break up the space into territories and give the shy fish a place to hide.
Bioload: more fish produce more waste. A filter can only handle so much...therefore investing in a good filter will increase the number of fish you can keep.
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