6 Yellow Lab Cichlids in 30 gallon tank?

Question

To follow-up with my previous question, I fell in love with Yellow labs, could I keep 6 of them in a 30 gallon tank?

From what I understood they don't grow too big. And if not 6, how much of them could I keep in the 30 gallon?

Answer 1

You can do 6 labs in a 30.  Just make sure you have lots of places for them to hide.  They like having rocky cave type places to dart in and out of.  Also, you'll have to keep up with water changes because six will be putting a pretty big load on the bio filter.

I kept 4 in a 30 for several years.  They can be very prolific breeders.

Answer 2

Its cruel to keep nice dogs like yellow labs in a fish tank.

You are sick!!

Answer 3

Six is going to be a little crowded when these fish grow to adult sizes, which they are going to.  Another issue that very much matters is depends on the gender as well.  Clearly, if you are asking can you keep six males in a footprint as small as a 30 gallon tank, well this is what you'll get.  You'll start out with six, then you wake up one day, find one of the smaller ones dead.  Then a couple weeks later, another one dies etc...until you are left with maybe 2?  Males do not tolerate other males very well.  Just remember that before you start taking other people's advice in here.  Your footprint is a problem in this case, not your friend.

FOLLOW UP:

Generally, yes males have a much darker dorsal and pectoral fins.  Females will show more white in these fins.  It's not 100% that it will always be the case though.  I have seen some females have some very black fins, and some males, when a dominant male is present, have white in their fins.  Venting is the only method that will s*x them at 100%

Answer 4

Exactly 6. You had it right the first time.