need help with tank population

[General]

so i have a 180 gal tank that cycles 1100 gal/hr, right now i have 22 metriaclime esthearae. i am thinking of adding yellow lab and cherry zebras, since they are from the same environment naturally. does that seem reasonable and also i was going to put equal numbers of yellow lab and cherry zebras in the tank along with my existing population of 22 metriaclime esthearae. i have heard to over crowd alittle bit but not sure how many to add. i would like to add 15 each or is that to much.
thanks for advice

 

[HrHagel]

What you heard is partially correct.

Usually larger groups of fish equals less aggression, or atleast spreads it out.

On the other hand, more fish also equals heavier load on your filtering, but if you think your setup can handle the load, then by all means go ahead and give it a try. Worst case scenario is that your gonna have to pull a few fish up again, and return them.

 

[ymolina]

yea wen u overstock on some cichlids it brings out ther color more cause they have to "showoff" to more of the other cichlids.

 

[swede]

sounds like you are in a position to give it a go. expect a loss or 2 due to aggression, but its to be expected with africans

 

[Duncan6618]

I have 46 cichlids (peacocks & haps) in my 215 and will probably add another 10 - 12 more by the time I'm done stocking it. So I think you are good to go as long as your filtration can handle the load and you keep up with water changes. Add them in groups or better yet all at once to reduce your losses on the new additions.

The other thing to consider is if you like the look of a crowded tank. I do but some people don't.