When Is A Shoal Not A Shoal?

[scwoody]

Newbie here - good evening all...

I know that many fish need to be kept as a shoal, but does that mean they all have to be exactly the same? My son and I want to get some Barbs (Tiger and Green) but only have a relatively small tank. Can a shoal of 6 be made up of say three of each?

Many thanks

 

[Truck]

how big is your tank? 120 litres or 30 gallons, is generally considered minimum for tiger barbs, any less and youll get a loner that gets picked on and maybe bullied to death

 

[waterdrop]

Yes, agree with truck, Tiger Barbs are *mean!*

To get back to the more general thing: You've hit on an important lesson for beginners as after you've absorbed this basic and important thing that shoals are very important for many, many species of fish, then you find that there are even further details. Some variations within species and perhaps even some different species will shoal together, but you have to work a little harder (sometimes members here will know, but not always) to dig out that info. Also the size you need to get to for the shoal to have its good effects varies with different species and in fact probably the tank size and shape plays right along with that, just for added complexity. At some point you just have to do your best and try something out and gain your own experience.

~~waterdrop~~
ps. Don't get me wrong, I love how beautiful and active many types of barbs are. Perhaps Tigers are among those that will rather dramatically stop causing trouble outside their group once they hit the magic 6 or something. Would be interesting to hear from the members again on this.

 

[mancin]

I actually asked the same question in another section of this forum.

Group of Tiger Barbs

Tiger Barbs are Tiger Barbs, doesn't matter what color they are. I also read that they can't tell the difference themselves, so Green ones will hang out with Albinos, etc. However, one thing to mention is make sure they are similar in size. I would think that would increase the likelihood of them hanging out together. However, there is always the chance that they won't! I have 2 Albinos and 4 "regular" Tiger Barbs and they do shoal from time to time. Hope this helps!

 

[scwoody]

I actually asked the same question in another section of this forum.

Group of Tiger Barbs

Tiger Barbs are Tiger Barbs, doesn't matter what color they are. I also read that they can't tell the difference themselves, so Green ones will hang out with Albinos, etc. However, one thing to mention is make sure they are similar in size. I would think that would increase the likelihood of them hanging out together. However, there is always the chance that they won't! I have 2 Albinos and 4 "regular" Tiger Barbs and they do shoal from time to time. Hope this helps!

I did check for similar questions - honest - but obviously not quite well enough!! Many thanks to all who replied, and so quickly!! I've been on other forums (on other subjects) and been read but ignored. So this is a refreshing change ... Anyway, having been educated I can now make a better decision (which for the moment will be to stay as I am).