How many?

[tink399]

How many fish can you put in a 240 gal tank considering each fish will be about 5 inches or so? The tank is 96x24x24

Thanks

[Toddrtrex]

Will the adult sizes be 5 inches?

But, that is really hard to answer, it really depends on what type of fish. There is more then just size, to take into account. Are they aggressive or passive fish? Will the be a fish only tank, or a reef tank?

[RAY HUNTER]

It also has alot to do with the amount of surface area the tank has. There is a rule that I have long forgotten, but its like 5" of surface for every inch of fish. Check on that, again I'm not sure about that info.

[Queenreef]

Some say 1" of fish for every 2 gallons and some say 1" for every ten gallons. So you can everywhere from 5-24 fish depending on who you want to believe.

[tink399]

some of the fish are tangs,wrasses,angles,clowns,gobies

[tink399]

we currently have a coral beauty,three gobies,three tangs,two hawk fish, one wrasse,and one butterfly

[marduc]

You can throw the inches per gallon thing out the window, it is useless, every fish has its own requirements, some need swimming room, some need a peaceful corner to hide, some crap a lot, some not so much. Some are 3 inches long and pencil thin, some are 3" long and fat and tubby.

The best bet is to go slow and easy, and research all purchases thoroughly.

Add the least aggressive/territorial fish first, wait to see how the tank responds to the altered bioload. If you get nutrient spikes, or signs of nutrient spikes (algae blooms, cyano, excess detritus) wait for the bacterial and other natural filtration processes to catch up. Even if you don't get these signs wait a month at LEAST.

Let them get settled in and comfortable, then add another fish.. watch closely to see if there are territorial/aggression issues, or harassment issues, react accordingly (rearranging rockwork prior to a new addition is a good proactive step). Wait again to see how the tank responds to the new bioload.. repeat when things stabilize.

If it takes a while for the tank to stabilize after a new addition you may be at the upper range of what the filtration can handle.. time to consider it fully stocked.

Don't push it, and don't go overboard all at once. slow and easy. If you add too much too quick you will get excess nutrients as the filtration gets overwhelmed, and you will get territorial issues as well. get used to your fishes behaviors, and your tanks rhythm and it will speak volumes to you.

Granted a 240 gives you a decent amount of room to play, but I would only go with a few (2 would be my call, 3 is pushing it) tangs.. try to make sure they are different species, and reasonably dissimilar body shape.

If you mix species of clowns make sure they are passive (No GSM's), and don't go with more than 2 of the same species. A 240 will give enough room for them to find their own corner to hide, provided all the corners have not been already spoken for, but if you get three of the same species 2 will pair up, and the third will be the whipping boy and get harassed relentlessly.

bottom line.. research.. research more, ask questions, get to know your tank, and the behaviors of every addition, and most importantly TAKE YOUR TIME!!!!!

one other thing.. quarantine, quarantine, quarantine, or you are playing russian roulette.

[demonsp]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11968333#post11968333 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tink399
some of the fish are tangs,wrasses,angles,clowns,gobies

This is a good reef tank list.Is this going to be a reef tank or a FOWLR?

[tink399]

Fish only tank

[Davidl919]

Fish Only with rock I would not keep over 15 5" fish in a 240

[demonsp]

WIth the fish you want then keep about the same. Semi aggresive coral safe fish. If you get larger meat eaters then the smaller fish are more of a food source.
With such a big tank i would find one or 2 types that will school,that would be cool. Then use most for water quality control. Algea eaters or SB cleaners. Yuo have many options and with these theres no reason to add a coral or 2.