Recently Converted to an all Cichlid tank

[Tech Geek]

I was reading online that I could add up to 22 Cichlids in a 55 gal tank with no problems. The lady at the fish shop recommended at least 14 Cichlids to start with.
Example: 55 Gallon Aquariums


1 trio Protomelas
1 trio Aulonocara
1 trio Copadichromis
1 trio Labidochromis or Cynotilapia
4 Neolamprologus (larger species)
2 Eretmodus or 1 trio Haplochromis
2 Julidochromis (larger species)
1 Synodontis Catfish
1 medium sized Plecostomus

 

[Freshwater4Life]

The lady at the shop is coo coo. Their is no minimum of fish to start out with. But there is definitely a maximum. She would sell you a 100 fish if she thought you would pay for them

 

[butchie]

The thought is that overstocked African cichlid tanks reduce aggression because the fish are too busy chasing each other they really don't have a chance to establish secure territories to defend. There is a point to that, however dumping that many fish into a tank of any size at once is a really bad idea from a bioload standpoint. My relatively recent setup is struggling biologically currently with 6 small cichlids and is well over 200 gallons of volume.

 

[dan518]

1 medium sized pleco probably produces more waste than 15 molly's

 

[Tech Geek]

That is my thought as well. From some advice for previous post I've increased the amount of water changes and reduced feeding to once a day. The water is clearing up and my nitrates are coming down and they are not scratching themselves against decorations as much. Once I have it all completely under control I'm adding 3 more. Thank for everyone's educationed advice!