New 40 gallon

[roydesilva]

Hey guys,,, I just set up my new 40 gallon yesterday and I'm starting to plan on what fish I want to get, I want to keep Malawi cichlids and I'm wonering how many can I keep in a 40 long... The fish are around 4-5" at the lfs

Thanks heaps guys

 

[MMantelli]

you prob couldnt keep but a couple in a 40l are you looking at peacocks or mbunas

 

[TheCommunityCichlid]

It depends on which type, but I would say keep it around 8-10 in a 40 with lots of hiding spots

 

[MMantelli]

8-10 of ones that don't get very big like no fuelleborni more like yellow labs (size wise)

 

[PockX]

Peacock/Mbuna wise you could do anywhere from 8-12 depending if you wanted to slightly overstock (I only would say that since it's a African tank)..then you would have to overfilter (usually should anyway) and have a good WC schedule. You should also have many territory spots made from rocks too..so take the size of that into consideration.

 

[FishCr8zy]

I would get around 7-10 of them. This may be overstocking it a bit but as long as u have enough hiding spots, they should be fine.

 

[FishCr8zy]

Too little hiding spaces and territorial fights will break out so u want plenty of cichlids rocks or log/rock tunnels, etc.

 

[PockX]

Too little hiding spaces and territorial fights will break out so u want plenty of cichlids rocks or log/rock tunnels, etc.

The more cichlids you have, the more the aggression will be fanned out. So you don't have one overly aggressive one chasing and stressing/killing the less aggressive. The more spots the better, but what I stated before helps too. I have 4 Africans in my 29 with a Rainbow Shark that I had before and they all get along very well and even better since they have gotten older.

 

[roydesilva]

I would be getting mbunas and maybe the odd peacock.... It's well filtered and its a 40 gallon long so 150liters

 

[PockX]

I would be getting mbunas and maybe the odd peacock.... It's well filtered and its a 40 gallon long so 150liters

Yeah..especially with a long, you're lucky at the number I gave before. Cichlids and fish in general don't need top swimming room.

 

[roydesilva]

And also ill be adding a wave,Akers because the filters I have now don't create much water movement, how many gallons or litres per hour should it spit out for a 40 gallon

 

[MMantelli]

Filter wise I would aim for 8-10x the volume of your tank per hour

 

[roydesilva]

How about for wave makers??

 

[FishCr8zy]

How about for wave makers??

It depends on if u want more or less water circulation. I have never used a wave maker/circulation pump before due to my powerful filters. Maybe get one that is 100-200 gph?

 

[MMantelli]

My 55 mbuna tank the current pump is rated at 900gph and they love it. Mabey 400gph ish