Can Different Species School Together?

[Mr Melt]

Hey all. I left a comment not too long ago on what fish would thrive nicely in my 50ltr aquarium. Although its still cycling I've taken an interest in several of the smaller fish species. In particular the black neons and the harlequin rasboras!

My question is this: if I were to place 3 black neons in a tank with 3 harlequin rasboras (or any other smaller fish species, eg. zebra danios and neon tetras), would they school together or go their seperate ways? My reasoning is simple; I don't want to overstock my tank, and yet I'm having trouble deciding on what would look nicer in my aquarium =P

 

[twodoctors]

What's your pH?

I just got some odessa barbs and golden barbs. The odessa are crazy bunch, darting here and there. The golden barbs are a bit calmer. For your tank I would suggest the golden barbs.

Adrian

 

[KkAaNnEe]

Funny you should mention this, I sadly have a lone harlequin and 8 neons, I saw them schooling earlier LOL!

Edit: Also saw the harlequin leading them about

Edit Edit: It isnt a certainty tho, obviously lol

 

[Mr Melt]

What's your pH?

I just got some odessa barbs and golden barbs. The odessa are crazy bunch, darting here and there. The golden barbs are a bit calmer. For your tank I would suggest the golden barbs.

Adrian

PH is 7.5 at the moment; I plan to lower it to 6.5 if I really have to (got a bottle of the PH lowing stuff in the cupboard).

How big can golden barbs get? Also, I'm also planning on getting a Crowntail betta in a couple of weeks, so I need to take that into consideration too =/

Funny you should mention this, I sadly have a lone harlequin and 8 neons, I saw them schooling earlier LOL!

Edit: Also saw the harlequin leading them about

Edit Edit: It isnt a certainty tho, obviously lol

Least thats a good sign =P

I just want their first few weeks to be as stressless as possible (if you understand me). Security in numbers eh? =P

 

[coldcazzie]

If you're getting a betta then the harlequins may be better.

I have rummy noses, cardinals and harlequins and the rummys and harlequins shoal together often, and sometimes the cardinal join, but sometimes they all go their separate ways. But I do have more than 3 of each. I imagine the tank dynamics would change with smaller numbers, they instinctively will want to shoal with their own kind after all, but if there's fewer then maybe any small fish will do. I doubt they'd be "happy" about it though.

 

[twodoctors]

Personally I won't lower the pH as it's a costly exercise. It's better to keep a stable pH and match the fish to your water rather than other way round. Personal opinion of course.

tetras in general prefers acidic water. Barbs and rasbora are ok with your pH. Also consider pygmy corys.

What about some Honey gouramis? Very peaceful (2 days experience!) and stays very small.

Adrian

 

[Mr Melt]

If you're getting a betta then the harlequins may be better.

I have rummy noses, cardinals and harlequins and the rummys and harlequins shoal together often, and sometimes the cardinal join, but sometimes they all go their separate ways. But I do have more than 3 of each. I imagine the tank dynamics would change with smaller numbers, they instinctively will want to shoal with their own kind after all, but if there's fewer then maybe any small fish will do. I doubt they'd be "happy" about it though.

Thanks for the advice =)

Personally I won't lower the pH as it's a costly exercise. It's better to keep a stable pH and match the fish to your water rather than other way round. Personal opinion of course.

tetras in general prefers acidic water. Barbs and rasbora are ok with your pH. Also consider pygmy corys.

What about some Honey gouramis? Very peaceful (2 days experience!) and stays very small.

Adrian

None of the local petstores sell honey gouramis =/

If I were to get my hands on some, what would be the ideal amount? Are they schoolers or solitary fish?

 

[twodoctors]

They are more solitary fish really. I think I've got 2 pairs, but unlike larger forms, the male are not as domineering, so should be ok. Not expensive either.

Adrian

 

[Mr Melt]

They are more solitary fish really. I think I've got 2 pairs, but unlike larger forms, the male are not as domineering, so should be ok. Not expensive either.

Adrian

Thanks very much for the advice mate =)