How many fish

[sundance]

How many fish should I think about in my 80 gal reef tank? Also do crabs, shrimp and sea anemone's count toward the fish count?
Thanks

 

[ocellaris_keeper]

First crabs and shrimp actually help you fish numbers as they consume fish waste. Lots of crabs is a very good thing - for an 80 gallon tank 25-40 blue hermits is not out of the question.
Second - a basic rule of thumb for the number of fish is about 1" of fish per gallon - 80" is pretty cool, however larger fish will put more stress on the ecosystem than smaller ones.
I would suggest you decide the type of tank you want to create as not all fishes get along. You have a lot of options including angels and butterfly's
I would suggest getting a small school of bannerfish (5) and of course some clown fish.
A puffer is always nice to have

 

[cindyski]

i believe saltwater rule of thumb is 1" per every 5 gallons

 

[dacia]

Don't puffers like to make snacks of your cleaning crew? That's why I was told not to get one for my reef.

 

[michaeltx]

yeah a larger species puffer will make quick meals of most anything smaller then him. the smaller ones from my understnding like the tobys are decent candadites for a reef. Me personally wouldnt add a puffer to anything with small fish or inverts.
and I agree with waterfaller not good fish suggestions for that size tank.
but like jwtrojan44 said picka main fish and work around them for the rest of the stocking.
what fish do you want the most?
Mike

 

[steelchromis]

I would recommend a tang or angel as your main attraction.

 

[lesleybird]

Originally posted by sundance
How many fish should I think about in my 80 gal reef tank? Also do crabs, shrimp and sea anemone's count toward the fish count?
Thanks
Hi, In my estimation from all the books that I have read for a reef tank about one fish for each 4 to 5 gallons of water. For the fish only tank you can safely do up to 1 inch of fish per each 3 gallons but no more. The higer stocking levels are only after the tank is matured for many months. In a reef tank you can not do as many fish as the corals are a lot more sensitive to the nitrate levels than fish who can tolerate higher levels than corals without harm. The higher your fish load, usually the higher your nitrates tend to stay from their wastes. You also have to do a lot of research into the temperments of the fish that you want to add. Some fish are very territorial with other fish.....some mainly around similar types of fish. Make sure that any fish are listed as reef safe so that they don't eat your corals and shrimp etc. Crabs and shrimp don't count too much to the total bioload of the tank if they are just eating the left over fish food that would be in there anyway. If you are adding extra food for them they count for extra bioload in relationship to the amount of extra food put in for them. Lesley

 

[sundance]

Thanks all for the advice on how many fish. My plan is mainly reef inhabitants. I’m not going to have triggers, puffers and stuff like that. My plan is to have mostly coral , an anemones or two and fish like mandarin gobies, tangs, only non-aggressive reef safe fish. Right now I have 5 damsels and I would add one or two tangs (if they would get along) and maybe a scooter Blennies or two. I may take some or all the damsels back to the store if they will take them back as I mainly got them because I was told they were good fish while the tank is cycling.
Thanks and what a great board with great people.
Sundance

 

[aarone]

I would suggest scarlet reef hermits,over bluelegs,they
are much more mellow..
Second that