How many fish for a 33 gallon tank?

Esy_777 · 01-01-2004, 05:03 PM

Hey, my dad was wondering how many salt water fish he should put in his 33 gallon tank? We're getting the tank up and running later in the week, thanks

ReefLady · 01-01-2004, 06:10 PM

Esy_777,

First, welcome! And welcome to the world of SW tanks.

There are a few different answers to your question, but I'll try to keep it as simple as possible.

First answer - none. Not for a while, anyway. You don't want to add any fish until the tank has completed the ammonia cycle (ammonia --> nitrite --> nitrate --- nothing). Usually, the cycle is started by adding some sort of dieing /decaying matter, such as uncured live rock, a raw grocery store shrimp, etc.

Once the tank has cycled, you want to add one, possibly 2 small fish at a time. And then, wait at least 2-3 weeks before another fish addition.

As far as "total" (eventual) fish go, a lot depends on the type of filtration, the type of fish, and the type of tank (fish only, reef, etc.). The usual *guideline* is one inch of fully grown fish (not counting the tail) for every 5g of water.

So .... in a 33g tank, you could have approximately 7 inches of fish max, or 3-4 small fish.

Hope this helps!

Montanareefer · 01-01-2004, 08:49 PM

Well you can put as many fish as you want in the 33 gallon tank but to have any live and be healthy then I would go with 3-4 fish(1-medium-3 small) to have them survive and be healthy!

Spooda420 · 01-01-2004, 08:51 PM

first, welcome.

second, listen to Teri and all will go well.

third, by several books and read, research and ask questions.

fourth, read more and set up a fallow tank for several weeks (3-5) only add LR, LS, and saltwater.

fifth, read and ask questions. If you start today, right this second you'll have about 3-5 weeks before you can add fish, but week 2-4 depending on tests and water quality you can add you inverts

visit this site: wetwebmedia.com

good luck

mwrager · 01-01-2004, 10:26 PM

WELCOME to ReefSanctuary

deanerk · 01-02-2004, 12:02 AM

Welcome to the Sanctuary!

Just wanted to mention that often keeping fewer fish can be more rewarding. I have only 2 fish, a false percula and a royal gramma, in my 37 gal tank and one damsel in my 10 gal sump/refugium tank. I've learned in my smaller tank that having fewer tankmates encourages the fish to come out of hiding and cruise the tank and be more visible. When I got my royal gramma he hid most of the time because the damsel was in my display tank and he intimidated him a bit. Since I moved the damsel to the sump my gramma is always out. He's one fish you don't want hiding. His colors are beautiful.

So, I guess my point is that with more fish in a small tank you're more likely to have some conflicts of behaviors and nervous tension in the tank as territories are established. Research as much as you can and ask questions here about experiences and you'll find a lot of helpful information.

01-01-2004, 05:03 PM	#1 (permalink)
Esy_777 Tunicate Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 1 View Gallery Karma Komment	How many fish for a 33 gallon tank? Hey, my dad was wondering how many salt water fish he should put in his 33 gallon tank? We're getting the tank up and running later in the week, thanks __________________ ~* Erin *~

01-01-2004, 06:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
ReefLady Tridacna maxima Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 4,590 View Gallery Karma Komment	Esy_777, First, welcome! And welcome to the world of SW tanks. There are a few different answers to your question, but I'll try to keep it as simple as possible. First answer - none. Not for a while, anyway. You don't want to add any fish until the tank has completed the ammonia cycle (ammonia --> nitrite --> nitrate --- nothing). Usually, the cycle is started by adding some sort of dieing /decaying matter, such as uncured live rock, a raw grocery store shrimp, etc. Once the tank has cycled, you want to add one, possibly 2 small fish at a time. And then, wait at least 2-3 weeks before another fish addition. As far as "total" (eventual) fish go, a lot depends on the type of filtration, the type of fish, and the type of tank (fish only, reef, etc.). The usual guideline is one inch of fully grown fish (not counting the tail) for every 5g of water. So .... in a 33g tank, you could have approximately 7 inches of fish max, or 3-4 small fish. Hope this helps! __________________ ~ Teri -------- "You do not need a parachute to skydive. You only need a parachute to skydive twice." ~(currently tankless)~ Our 180g sps tank / DIY adventure (taken down in late 2006): Our 180g DIY Reef Project ---What's next????

01-01-2004, 08:51 PM	#4 (permalink)
Spooda420 Scopas Tang Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 484 View Gallery Karma Komment	first, welcome. second, listen to Teri and all will go well. third, by several books and read, research and ask questions. fourth, read more and set up a fallow tank for several weeks (3-5) only add LR, LS, and saltwater. fifth, read and ask questions. If you start today, right this second you'll have about 3-5 weeks before you can add fish, but week 2-4 depending on tests and water quality you can add you inverts visit this site: wetwebmedia.com good luck __________________ 120 gallon, 100 gallon sump, GEO Calcium Reactor, Aqua C EV-400 Skimmer, 300 pounds of LR, Bare Bottom, 2 Tetra UV2 Sterilizers, 2 Tunze 6080 streams, 2 - 400 watt DE Metal Halides

01-01-2004, 10:26 PM	#5 (permalink)
mwrager Elegance coral Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Gilbert AZ Posts: 1,068 View Gallery Karma Komment	WELCOME to ReefSanctuary __________________ Mark Some days I realy feel old! http://www.reefsanctuary.com/Banners/RS_banner3.gif

01-01-2004, 08:49 PM	#3 (permalink)
Montanareefer Has been struck by the ban stick Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 2,334 View Gallery Karma Komment	Well you can put as many fish as you want in the 33 gallon tank but to have any live and be healthy then I would go with 3-4 fish(1-medium-3 small) to have them survive and be healthy!

01-02-2004, 12:02 AM	#6 (permalink)
deanerk Fire Coral Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 62 View Gallery Karma Komment	Welcome to the Sanctuary! Just wanted to mention that often keeping fewer fish can be more rewarding. I have only 2 fish, a false percula and a royal gramma, in my 37 gal tank and one damsel in my 10 gal sump/refugium tank. I've learned in my smaller tank that having fewer tankmates encourages the fish to come out of hiding and cruise the tank and be more visible. When I got my royal gramma he hid most of the time because the damsel was in my display tank and he intimidated him a bit. Since I moved the damsel to the sump my gramma is always out. He's one fish you don't want hiding. His colors are beautiful. So, I guess my point is that with more fish in a small tank you're more likely to have some conflicts of behaviors and nervous tension in the tank as territories are established. Research as much as you can and ask questions here about experiences and you'll find a lot of helpful information.

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