Is this tank overcrowded?

[seapig]

75 gal
2 perc clowns 1 1/2" each
1 yellowtail damsel 1"
1 sharpnose puffer 4"
1 golden head sleeper goby 3"
1 Zebra Moray 2 feet
a few snails and little hermits
I want to add a Harlequin Tusk but don't wanna put any of the inhabitants in harms way via overcrowding or a mean Harlequin.

 

[efrank]

It sounds fine as long as you have waited a few weeks at least since the last fish went in and all of your readings are good.
You will always find people that tell you it is overcrowded

 

[grouperhead]

take out the zebra, dont add the tusk. that might work out. if you keep it like that and add no more fish you should be ok. i just hope you have good filtration. later, bo

 

[seapig]

I've got a large wet/dry with a prizm skimmer but will be adding another skimmer as soon as I get to the LFS. Probably a turbo or something similar. If i remove the Zebra moray that would leave just a goby, 2 clowns, a small puffer and a damsel. Call me a crack head but that doesn't sound like a lot for a 75.

 

[justlooking]

I dont think its over crowded at all, I had more fish then that in a 30 gallon I had a few years back and never had a problem with it for two years.

 

[goofieones]

Removing the eel would help, but I still wouldn't get a tusk for that tank, they get big! But you probably could add another small fish.

 

[bluto]

I'm a newbie to saltwater, but...
After lurking for awhile I get the impression that overcrowding with peaceful community fish "might" be acceptable...but overcrowding with an aggressive species is probably not a good idea.
And mixing peaceful and aggressive fish in an overcrowded tank is...a REALLY bad idea.

[hr]
Bluto
"I gave my love a cherry, that had no stone...I gave my love a chicken that had no bone...I gave my love a...##########"
[ April 27, 2001: Message edited by: Bluto ]

 

[diatom]

I say go for it, the Zebra is gonna need some company. By the time he's done eating your clowns, that damsel and the goby for dessert that tank is going to seem awfully empty.

 

[jacrmill]

my only response to that is, if you have to ask the question you probably know the answer.

 

[jacrmill]

i cant believe some of these people are telling you its ok to add more fish, i just really think that it is over crowded. lets do the math together. 1.5*2+1+4+3+24=35 take 35 and multiply that by 3, which is the minimum of that 3-5 rule and you get 115. yes i think your tank is overcrowded. good luck with your fish, and seriously consider removing one, and not adding anymore.
[ April 27, 2001: Message edited by: jacrmill ]

 

[surferboy]

I have to disagree and say that your tank is not over crowded as long as you have good filtration and do a weekly partial water change of at least 5 gallons. I have a lot more than that in my 72g for over 2 years with no problems even though others keep saying I will.

 

[nomar g]

Jacrmill- you can't apply the lame inches per gal. rule to many fish, especially eels since they do not contribute to waste production the way other fish of their length would. That being said, I agree that the predatory aspect of the Moray vs. Clown/Damsel thing will be the biggest challenge. Also- as mentioned earlier, Harlequins do get quite large so if the eel is removed and another fish or two are added, it might be better to consider species more modest in size.

 

[jacrmill]

yes but the point is that 115 isnt close to 75. if he had like a 100 or something then it would be a different story, but hes still 40 gallons off. im just saying in my opinion it is too full.

 

[seapig]

Zebra morays are crustacean eaters...my zebra won't even touch silversides let alone any fish in my tank.