Rainbow Fish Shoal

[ndp268]

Hi im interested in getting some Boeseman’s rainbow fish and was wandering if they are happy to shoal among other rainbow species so i could have a mixed shoal  cheers Nick

 

[LyraGuppi]

I believe they would all get along and shoal, but I'm no rainbowfish expert.

 

[Gruntle]

I think they get along fine with other rainbow species, the issue as I see it is almost all rainbows should be kept in shoals of at least 6 so it kind of pushes your stock limit unless you have a big tank.

 

[fluttermoth]

In general, mixed shoals don't work.
 
In some cases, where you really can't source the same species (rescues, rare species), it's better to have mixed shoal than have the fish in too small a group, but it's always, always better to have same species shoals, if at possible.
 
There's also the fact that, in the safety of our tanks, most fish don't school, and with a mixed shoal you end up with a rather 'messy' looking tank. Most people who've tried it regret it later.
 
The one exception is where fish, of the same species, come in different colour morphs (like normal/albino/green tiger barbs). Then you can mix the colours and still have a good sized group.

 

[ndp268]

thanks for the input guys