catfish and african cichlid

Question
What type of catfish (for bottom cleaning) is best in a 55 gallon tank with African cichlids. And how many do you suggest? I have been told that emerald green cory work fine by Petco but have read that you cannot use them with cichlids. Your advise please... Also my tank is a show tank, what other fish can be put in it with the cichlids that would stay more at the top of the tank?  Thank you

Answer
Hello Jean:  A lot of my answer depends on the type of cichlids that you keep.  My advice is to buy from an aquarium not a pet store.  Sometimes the prices are more expensive but think of fish as a long-term investment.  The dividends are paid on a daily basis.  Now back to your question.  While I love the cory catfish and they are really great at what they do.  I however use a siamese algae eater instead of a catfish.  I keep one in my 55 gallon tank with six African Cichlids and he pretty much rules the roost in there.  I have seen the cichlids nip at him and he turns around and chases them across the tank and then returns to whatever he was cleaning before he was rudely interrupted.  He has been in with the cichlids for about 5 months no and at this point the cichlids pretty much abandon their little caves and hideouts until he is done cleaning them.  Just as a note... he is about 4 inches long and should not get longer then 5 inches or so.  If you are looking for a fish that specifically cleans just the bottom I would recommend a small plecostomus... just keep in mind that pleco's can reach 18 inches in length.  Hope this helps and let me know if have further questions... dave