Is It Cruel To Have Only 2 Schooling Fish In A Tank?

[Mr Melt]

Hi, this is regarding my 2 Harlequin Rasboras. I honestly can't fit anymore fish in my tank at present (50ltr Fishbox), so this begs the question: is it stressful on the fish or downright cruel to keep them in the tank?

If its really that bad then I'll see if I can take them back to the LFS. If not then "Fish" and "Chip" can stay indefenitely =P

 

[Randi]

It depends on your fish. Is one constantly chasing the other around the tank?

 

[Caprichoso]

It's not ideal but I wouldn't say it was "cruel". Of coarse it's always best to keep schooling fish in a school. How long have you had the fish in there? Do they seem timid? If yes, I would consider giving them up and opting for something that doesn't need a school. Example: Emperor Tetra, Honey Gourami, Betta, etc.

Dig the avatar btw, really makes my day

 

[Mr Melt]

It depends on your fish. Is one constantly chasing the other around the tank?

I'm not actually sure. They're often together and sometimes they'll erupt into what looks like a play fight or something (spinning around and over each other in lighting speed). But afterwards they continue swimming....... very strange.

But no, they've brightened in color since being in the tank (3 weeks).

Also, they tend to sleep apart and spend large parts of the day on their own.

Hope this helps =/

PS - they dont act like my platys; they like to nibble at EVERYTHING around them, often noseying through the substrate. The Harlequins just swim about, but I dunno if that is normal for them.....

 

[twodoctors]

I guess if you have a male and female you are ok. That's what people sometimes do for breeding, although the pair would have the tank by themselves. Why don't you think you can fit 4 more in there?

Adrian

 

[Mr Melt]

I guess if you have a male and female you are ok. That's what people sometimes do for breeding, although the pair would have the tank by themselves. Why don't you think you can fit 4 more in there?

Adrian

I think theyre both male.

And I have a 50 ltr tank, with 2 platys, a betta, 2 harlequins and 2 endlers =/

Do you think I could fit more in there?

 

[AstonN24vantage]

ive kept one before. got on fine

 

[Wills]

In 50 liters adding 3 or 4 more harlequins is not a problem at all.

The point with keeping schooling fish in high numbers is to replicate how they live in the wild. In the wild schooling fish are found in groups of 50 - 1000's depending on species. Though some are found in clusters of 10 or so. But Rasboras are one of the tighter schoolers in general so would be part of a large school.

The reason for fish schooling is it is a defense mechanism, they stay together for protection and confidence, the larger the school the safer the area because the more fish there are there the less predators. And on the other side the more alone they are the more they know there is a threat to them around and it does add stress to them because their instincts are telling them that something is eating the school.

So in a safe tank environment where there are no obvious predators around, no massive fish or even medium sized fish that could eat them they will get on with day to day life. But say when a huge hand comes into the tank it might be a different situation.


So that said in a 13 gallon tank
1 Betta
2 Platy
2 Endlers
6 Harlequin Rasbora

You will have no problem If your worried about the inch per gallon rule, don't its not rubbish but its also not the be all and end all of stocking a tank.

Wills

 

[Mr Melt]

One of my friends came along earlier and took them from my hands (she has a small school of Rasboras in her tank back home).

Least they're gonna be with their own kind =)

Thanks all for the replies (only getting on to check now =P)