Check adult requirements
Record the baseline and check volume, surface area and tank footprint. Do not infer the aquarium's condition from a single sign. Confirm scientific identity, adult size, diet, social behaviour and swimming zone.
Then compare adult mass, activity, territory and group needs with livestock needs and recent changes. Look for genuine overlap in water, flow, territory and feeding throughout the year.
Assess compatibility and welfare
Adjust one variable and assess maintenance capacity and parameter trends before continuing. Keep a reference so the result can be compared. Plan the complete group and monitor feeding, breathing, injury, shelter and space use.
Length-per-volume rules ignore body shape, behaviour and spatial use.