Setting Up My Cichlid Tank.

Question
I will be moving in three weeks and setting up my 40 gallon (finally). As I have 3 baby Acei cichlids currently growing in my guppy tank, I was planning to get a few other Malawi cichlids after the move. My thought was 3 Red-Finned Albino Zebras and 3 Electric Yellows (all of which max out at 5 inches). I also wanted to add a cleaner of some sort, if possible. I wanted to steer clear of plecos, for their size, but have been advised against Chinese Algae Eaters as they have a "very nasty" temperament. I adore the Otos in my guppy tank, but I think they'd be too small for the 40. Your thoughts?

Answer
You sound like you know what you are doing.

You are smart to stay away from plecos, they do get very large. However, I recommend that you get a bristlenose pleco, also known as the bushynose pleco, as your one and only cleaner for that tank. They are one of the few plecos that actually eat algae, and they never get over 5" in length. They do benefit from a little mopani driftwood.

-Nick