When do you know you have too many fish

Well, there are different kinds of overstocked.

Overstocked for the filtration your tank can handle- that's usually indicated by rising nitrates.

Overstocked for the size of your tank- agression, irritability, "pacing", lackluster eating behavior. All can be signs that your fish are too big for the tank they're in.
 
My experiences when I have overstocked tank is the lack of oxygen in the water. More symptoms occurs when you see the fish gulping for air at the surface level. Another symptom I noticed as well is that the fish will swim against the power head.
 
So fish swimming into a power head isnt normal. I have a scopas tang that has done this since i bought him with no disease i thought he liked the current of a hydor.
 
your skimmer fills up in one day. :lol:

Seriously, you can tell if your nitrates are too high from feeding and pooping.

-Chuck
 
If your nitrates are ever more then a trace after fully cycling your overstocked! Your tank should be able to complete the full nitrogen cycle.
 
@Nazrac wrote:
So fish swimming into a power head isnt normal. I have a scopas tang that has done this since i bought him with no disease i thought he liked the current of a hydor. said:
Nothing wrong with a tang swimming into a powerhead, they like to swim into my tunzes as well. The exercise is good for them. As far as overstock, I agree with Keith, if you can not keep your nitrates down to zero. You are feeding to much for the tank to keep up with the bioload. If you have so many fish that you have to feed that much, you have to many.
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If you buy fish in multiples, your overstocked. Fish selection should be considered long term, not just wow what a great sale so I will buy a bunch.
 
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