How many cichlids should I keep in one tank?

I have just got 2 parrot cichlids(the hybrid) and put them in a tank and they keep ramming......?

• they keep raming each other in the side and in the butt by the anal fin. are they fighting? spawning? or just astablishing who is boss? they dont seem to be hurting each other but it seems like after awhile they would just "get along". what is the problem here? they are alone besides the very small plecco that is in with them. The parrot cichlids are only about 2 and a half inches long so i know they arent sexualy mature. as of now they are in a 15 gallon tank. can any one help me/my fish?

• Answer:

  Parrots are very peaceful cichlids, nosing around the butt is normal when they're getting to know each other (or horny, even juveniles often display this behaviour). However if they're incessantly ramming one another in a really aggressive way, they may be stressed by something. Do you think the ammonia/nitrites may be building up, as the filter catches up with the increased bio-load? As long as one fish isn't being bullied, or prevented from eating or resting, and your tank conditions are good, I wouldn't worry too much.