40 gallon breeder stocking okay, or should I upgrade to a 55?

Hello

So I was wondering if this stocking would be ok for a 40 gallon breeder. I will be using an Aquaclear 70 and weekly 30% water changes.
- 5 to 6 yellow labs
- 5 aceis
-1 rusty cichlid

If I need to upgrade to a 55 gallon, how many more rusty cichlids would I be able to keep?

 

I would say you are overstocked. Yellow labs require a minimum of 30-40 gallons but should have 55 gallons or larger. I would say do the upgrade.
On the rusty cichlid, I wouldn't do another. They do grow quite large and it may crowd the tank.

 

I would say you are overstocked. Yellow labs require a minimum of 30-40 gallons but should have 55 gallons or larger. I would say do the upgrade.
On the rusty cichlid, I wouldn't do another. They do grow quite large and it may crowd the tank.

Thanks

 

Thanks

Bet you've got a nice looking tank.

 

The only reason I would go with the longer tank for mbunas is because of aggression, the extra foot in space would provide space for a loser to hide away and have a better change to survive. Over the past few month I've realized that more aggressive cichlids need a longer tank, over wider and less length when housed in groups so there are better chances for the injured or subdominant fish.

 

Bet you've got a nice looking tank.

Not set up yet, just planning the stocking in the meantime. I have my rockscpape sketched out, I think it looks good.