Size Tanks for Fish

[j man 228]

I was wondering. Everyone knows that each fish needs a certain amount of gallons in a tank. For example, Flame Angels need about 30g or more. But when you go to the LFS, you see that they have like 3 fish in a little 4g box thing. They have some groupers, triggers, tangs, ect. in like 2-4g tanks. They only put some fish in bigger tanks because either they are very delicate or dont fit in the box things. How do they survive in those little boxes? Think of it, if they have lets say a powder blue tang in the little boxes, why cant you put it in a lets say 15g or 20g or 30g? I've seen many many many fish in these boxes all different shapes and sizes and they survive in those little 2-4g tanks.

 

[stacy]

The main thing to think about here is that this is a temporary home for these fish. They don't normally stay in the LFS for more than a few days. Also I see a lot of these fish are under a great deal of stress in these tanks. They loose there share of fish you just may not see it.

 

[jim672]

I've seen the "boxes" you're talking about. The fish live in them for only a very short time while they are waiting to be sold. Often they're only in them a few days. Fish in your aquarium are there for years (hopefully!!).
Further, fish can and do SURVIVE in smaller than recommended tanks. The idea, though, is to get them to THRIVE.
Jim

 

[broomer5]

The little clear plastic "boxes" most often are part of a much much larger water system.
The box just houses the fish - dividers sort of - but the biological filtration may be hundreds of gallons in capacity or more.
I've wondered that before too.

 

[j man 228]

ok its just that I've seen them in there for quite a bit.