How many viratus in a 40 gal corner?

Question

ok I asked this as swordtails b4, but I guess they may really be viratus(a swordtail platy cross)
And I wasnt very clear, so I just wanted to ask again in a clearer question
How many viratus can be in a 40 gallon corner tank without any other fish and only one gender?

im not sure of the dimentions, the person has not emailed me back yet

Answer 1

That is a bit smaller fish than a typical swordtail so I would revise my estimate to about 8-10 fish. That still assumes you have a tall corner tank. With a long low style you might could double that.

MM

Answer 2

36 Corner 34X24X21 from AGA no idea who makes a 40 corner...

variatus is NOT a swordtail/platy hybrid!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Variable_platyfish
http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.cfm?genusname=Xiphophorus&speciesname=variatus

Common Glass Aquarium Sizes

5.5 Gallon 16x8x10 (128 sq. in.)
10 Leader 20x10x12 (200 sq. in.)
10 Hexagon 14x12x18 (127 sq. in)
15 Gallon 24x12x12 (288 sq. in.)
20 High 24x12x16 (288 sq. in.)
20 Long 30x12x12 (360 sq. in.)
25 Gallon 24x12x20 (288 sq. in.)
29 Gallon 30x12x18 (360 sq. in.)
30 Gallon 36x12x16 (432 sq. in.)
30 Breeder 36x18x12 (648 sq. in.)
33 Long 48x13x12 (624 sq. in.)
37 Gallon 30x12x22 (360 sq. in.)
38 Gallon 36x12x20 (432 sq. in.)
40 Long 48x13x16 (624 sq. in.)
40 Breeder 36x18x16 (648 sq. in.)
45 Gallon 36x12x24 (360 sq. in.)
50 Gallon 36x18x18 (648 sq. in.)
55 Gallon 48x13x20 (624 sq. in.)
65 Gallon 36x18x24 (648 sq. in.)
Petite body fish
1” per gallon or 1” per 12 sq. in. of surface
For example 20 long has 360 sq. in. surface area
360/12=30
Can a 20 long support 30” of fish? Probably not.
A 20 high has only 288 sq. in. surface area
288/12=24
Can a 20 high support 24” of fish? Probably not.
A 25 is also 288 sq. in. surface area
288/12=24
Can a 25 support 24” of fish? Probably.
I like to average the two for a more accurate capacity.
For the 20 long, 30 by surface area, 20 by volume averages to 25”
Can a 20 long support 25” of fish? Probably.
For the 20 high, 24 by surface area, 20 by volume averages to 22”
Can a 20 high support 22” of fish? Probably.
Why does the 20 long support 3” more fish that the 20 high?
A larger surface area allows a greater oxygen exchange, which is as important as volume of water.
Large bodied fish, such as gold fish you need to double or even triple these numbers, i.e. 3 gallons per inch and 36 sq. in. of surface per 1” of fish.
This is not the only consideration for fish tanks. Types of fish will appreciate one type of tank over another. For example, fast swimmers like Zebra Danios, Pearl Danios and Blue Danios will do best in a tank that is at least 30” long. They would be better kept in a 20 long rather than a 25. Giant Danios would do best in a tank at least 48” long. They would be better kept in a 55 rather than a 65.
On the other hand, slow, tall bodied fish like Angel Fish and Discus will do best in a deep tank. They would be better kept in a 65 rather than a 55. They, like other cichlids also need a bit more than the 1” per gallon and/or 12 sq. in. surface.

Answer 3

1 inch of fish per gallon is a good rule to follow. but i would also think about how big the fish will grow to, meaning that if your fish are currently 1 inch each then 40 is ok right now, but if they tend to grow to be 5 inches, i wouldn't get more than 8.

edit: also keep in mind that fish tend to do better in odd numbers, personally i wouldn't go more than 7 of them, it will look kinda crowded