I Want A School...

RobberyinCSharp · Dec 24, 2011

Can I have a group of 4-5 tetras and expect them to school? I'm hoping for 4 Lemon Tetras that will school when I begin my new tank. I know schools are typically 6 or more, but I don't have the tank space for that at the moment, so I'm working with what I've got

Twinklecaz · Dec 24, 2011

Yeah, they'll still stick together. But schooling fish (at least most schooling fish I think) onlu tighting school if they're stressed/unhappy so don't worry too much if they spread out a bit.

minnnt · Dec 24, 2011

Penguin Tetra's or Rummynoses are probably the best shoalers available.

RobberyinCSharp · Dec 24, 2011

minnnt said:
Penguin Tetra's or Rummynoses are probably the best shoalers available.

I was thinking about going with rummynose tetra, I just love the yellow bands in lemon tetras

Tizer · Dec 24, 2011

my group of 16 rummys stick together like glue, its ace to watch

soybean · Dec 24, 2011

4 will stick together more than a larger number because there's safety in very few numbers. They won't feel very secure and it's really not fair on a shoaling fish to keep so few numbers just because that's all you can fit in. You should be choosing fish suitable for the size of your tank in an appropriately sized group. Which is more important, the fish feeling safe and well enough to swim around relaxed, or them being stressed enough to look better by sticking closer together?

Why not consider something like ember tetras, emerald rasboras, or a type of microrasbora? You could keep a larger group as they're very small.

only love fish · Dec 24, 2011

I have learned a new meanning of the word ’school’ ，I always think school is a place where students learn knowledge... :lol:

Bignose · Dec 24, 2011

Actually, I want to re-emphasize a comment made above. Schooling/Shoaling is a defense mechanism -- when you are in the place most tetras are in the food chain, it is the ONLY defense mechanism. Point is, I think that so long as you are providing a good home, you'd actually want to see your fish NOT school/shoal because that tells you they are comfortable in their surroundings. You want to provide a lot of plant cover or wood or rocks or some form of plenty of places to hide. Diffuse the light some.

Recently I bought a school of threadfin rainbowfish. They schooled tightly for about 3 days. After that, I saw the bravest ones poking their noses into different plants and holes in the wood. Within a week, they were all over the place. They only 'school' now when it is feeding time (or they think it is feeding time). In my mind, that tells me I've given them a home they consider safe.

Maybe I am misinterpreting it completely, I don't really know. I would someday like to get a really large tank and get like 100 fish of the same tetra species and see how they act. It is really neat to watch the schools of 100s or 1000s of fish in places like the Shedd aquarium in Chicago.

minnnt · Dec 25, 2011

That's actually very true. All of mine just go where they want, when they want.

RobberyinCSharp · Dec 27, 2011

Bignose said:
Actually, I want to re-emphasize a comment made above. Schooling/Shoaling is a defense mechanism -- when you are in the place most tetras are in the food chain, it is the ONLY defense mechanism. Point is, I think that so long as you are providing a good home, you'd actually want to see your fish NOT school/shoal because that tells you they are comfortable in their surroundings. You want to provide a lot of plant cover or wood or rocks or some form of plenty of places to hide. Diffuse the light some.

Recently I bought a school of threadfin rainbowfish. They schooled tightly for about 3 days. After that, I saw the bravest ones poking their noses into different plants and holes in the wood. Within a week, they were all over the place. They only 'school' now when it is feeding time (or they think it is feeding time). In my mind, that tells me I've given them a home they consider safe.

Maybe I am misinterpreting it completely, I don't really know. I would someday like to get a really large tank and get like 100 fish of the same tetra species and see how they act. It is really neat to watch the schools of 100s or 1000s of fish in places like the Shedd aquarium in Chicago.

Oh wow, I had no idea! I was always under the impression that these fish school naturally. Especially in my LFS, who provides large tanks to even the smallest fish, I see them stick tightly together. I'll definitely keep this in mind!