38 gallon tank

[milhous3er]

Hello, This is my first post on SWF.com and i'm trying to get some information about how many fish I can get into my 38 gallon tank. I had a 12 nano cube as my first saltwater tank, and I had 1 clownfish, 1 purple pseudochromis and a small black and white angel (dwarf). Since this is my first "real" tank I want to make sure i'm not overcrowding like I felt i was doing in my 12 gallon nano.
What I have in mind is 2 clownfish (percula) 1 yellow tang (small) 1 purple pseudochromis, in that order. The manager at my lfs told me that I can get around 1 inch of fish per around 8 gallons of water. Thats roughly around 5 inches of fish in a 38 gallon tank ?? Then i've read on the internet that for every gallon in a tank, you can add a inch of fish ?? Both seem outragous on both ends of the scale.

 

[bender77]

The tank is way too small for the tang. Think smaller fish in the blenny or goby family. I'm sure others will come along to help.

 

[milhous3er]

So when i'm browsing for yellow tangs and it says small, I take it that its small right now, but eventually will get larger ?? So how many fish do you think I will be able to put in the tank "comforatable" ??

 

[racin24fan]

Depends on the type of fish you want to have. Maybe of couple of clowns and a couple gobies.

 

[bornagain]

The Tang wouldn't get big. But it will get sick and die!
Show fish for your tank would be some other dwarf angel. Coral Beauty Maybe?
Forget about the 1 inch per gallon rule. Plan your tank well. Keep your tank clean. Don't overstock. If your fish are less territorial, you can fit more in the tank "comfortably."
For your 38g I suggest establishing the tank with 2 "gotta have" fish. Work from there. Possibly get 4-5 in a 38.

 

[milhous3er]

Thanks for the input !!!

 

[nikesb]

no more than 4 fishes