HostGator allows a maximum of 25 simultaneous MySQL connections per cPanel on shared servers. This limit can be raised for VPS and dedicated servers.
The 25 simultaneous database connections should be sufficient. Most database connections open and close within a fraction of a second. A forum with 500 active members will rarely hit this 25 simultaneous connections.
The SQL server will timeout after 15 to 30 seconds of inactivity.
I am hitting the limit. What can I do about this?
Typically, either your site has too much traffic for the shared server, or your site may be under attack. It is your responsibility to fix this by updating your web framework to the newest version, optimizing/indexing databases, or upgrading to a VPS or Dedicated server. You may email support@hostgator.com to get a proper diagnosis and specific advice.