most fish in a 60 gal?

[paranoid1123]

i was wondering what do you think the most number of fish (african cichlids)is for a 60gal

i have:
3 kenyi
3 auratus
3 electric blue johanni
1 elecrtic blue Hap ahli
1 acei
2 Pseudotropheus socolofi
2 tigar barbs
1 green spotted puffer
1 blue crawfish

i have 2 HOB 60 gallon filters and 1 60 gal. sponge filter in the tank.
also i do weekly 50% changes.

i was asking because my water is right 0 across the board. and i was think ing about getting some otto catfish to help with the algae. but i heard that they like to live in groups of 3. and thought maybe that was too many fish? i do plan to upgrade my african tank to a 90gal but right now im strapped for cash.

[Mzungu]

What are the dimensions of your 60g?

I've never heard that Otos like to live in groups of three. But they stay pretty small - like, under an inch long. They might not be big enough or strong enough to be in such a tank.

Have you thought of a bristlenose or two?

[dblondfemme]

i can keep most fish together safely at least for a little while... but I wouldn't do that to any otto's.... I have some in a community planted tank... that is more their speed. +1 to bristlenose idea

[paranoid1123]

i thought about bristle-nose but i think they are ugly.
my 60 is 48 x 13 x 24
LxWxH

do you think i have too many fish in one tank?

[Zulaab]

I would not get Otto's unless you have a well planted tank. They do not do well without plants.. You will need to get a min of 3... better more like 5 or 6.. problem is that there is a potential some of your bigger fish will look at them as a meal :(
Bristlenose pleco's are a good choice.. they stay small and can handle having a tank without plants in them.
If you dont like the looks I also suggest golden nuggets.. problem there is they are not cheap.

I would go with a pair or trio of BN's or Albino BN's.

[geoff_tropheus]

I'd say that is about it for the fishes in this tank. I wouldnt add anymore.

If you do, then get a female brown brisstlenose because they stay small, out the way, and the brisstles are very minimal, almost not even noticeable.

[Hanson77]

+ 1 on the bristlenoses. As long as you don't get albinos you will hardly ever notice them. I had two of them that were about 3" tops in a 75 that was full of holey rock and they kept is spotless.

I also had a tank identical to what you have and I had 25 small Africans in it at one time. When I say small, everything was under 4". It was fine until they started getting larger and the breeding started, the quarters got a bit close. Territory issues quickly became a problem no matter how much rockwork I had in the tank.