Stocking schooling fish

modernhamlet · Mar 25, 2004

I don't think there's much of a difference, but I thought I'd throw the question out there. Does it matter at all whether or not you select an even or odd number of fish?

ade · Mar 25, 2004

I go with whatever the special deal is at the LFS eg. Buy 5 get 1 free - I end up with an even number.

That's as technical as I get!

thecichlidaddict · Mar 25, 2004

I go with whatever the special deal is at the LFS eg. Buy 5 get 1 free - I end up with an even number.

Perfect Reasoning! (it really doesn't matter)

modernhamlet · Mar 25, 2004

Thanks guys...

As they say: There are no stupid questions.

But I can certainly try!!! :whistle:

Pointy_kitty · Mar 25, 2004

i was told that the only time it mattered is if it was semi-aggressive schooling fish like barbs........
:huh:

i'm not exactly sure why........
they say it reduces aggression but i can't remember how exactly that worked.....

pendragon · Mar 25, 2004

I have some peculiar affection for prime numbers: 5, 7, and 11 - which are all, by definition, odd. It relates to the natural occurrences of the Fibonacci sequences (e.g. the radial distribution of leaves on a plant stem, the geometry of the formation of a nautilus shell, etc.), and has a connection to phi, the golden ratio. There's something universally profound about it all. Just think of the frequencies of the lower prime numbers in the natural world. It's uncanny.

Umm...sorry, wandered off there for a moment... :whistle:

I think once you get past the small numbers (perhaps four or five), it doesn't really matter whether you have even or odd numbers. With schooling fish, I've always heard (and agree with): one will be miserable, two may quarrel and feel insecure, three will inevitably split into two-against-one, and four is the bare minimum for cohabitation. Five is where the comfort level begins. More is merrier. But from six and beyond, I don't think there's really a statisitical significance to having even or odd. Unless, of course, you like prime numbers. :lol: