Why Should You Keep Certain Fish In Groups

[danotto]

Im new to fish keeping i have just set up my 25 litre fluval edge tank 8weeks now. I did have 3 neon tetras and one albino corydora but 2 of the neons died.what will happen if i dont add more neons and corys do the fish get depressed etc. my problem is now the neons have died im at my tank capacity along with other fish, so cant really add more neons or corys is this ok.cheers dan

 

[AstonN24vantage]

many fish such as most barbs and tetras are often healthier and less aggresive when kept in groups.

your tank is still cycling. there is no shortage of posts and topics about cycling.

welcome to the forums.

 

[kizno1]

Because in the wild fish like barbs, tetra, rasbora, loaches ect shoal in massive groups mainly for protection. Safety in numbers. When kept alone there often alot shyer so its recompensed to keep atleast 4 of them types of fish but 6+ is best.

This shows neon tetra in the wild and why they should be in groups

http/www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4DaP8HQyBU&p=49D2ABF9912328EA&playnext=1&index=17

 

[danotto]

Thanks for your replies so what should i do as my tank is at max capacity.

 

[kizno1]

Either rehome the other fish and up the shoals or rehome these fish.
The albino corys will get to big and active for a 25L but a group of pygmy corys could work instead.

 

[Wills]

Hi the reason some fish need to be kept in groups is becasue in the wild they have evolved to stay in groups, in a similar way to a pack of dogs or a pride of lions. They are small and are there for food for larger fish - food chain and all that. So to try and deter predators they stay in groups.

In aquariums you need to replicate these groups because fish like these in small groups will get stressed and constantly be on the edge thinking there are predators about because they have eaten the rest of the group.

I would just keep one species in that tank in the correct numbers.

If you had perhaps planned ahead a bit better there are ways of keeping both mid water and bottom dwellers in a fluval edge but you have to use specific dwarf and micro species of fish like galaxy rasbora and pygmy corydora

Wills

 

[danotto]

ok thanks for your advice so how big do corydoras actually get the man at the fish store said only 1inch max

 

[kizno1]

ok thanks for your advice so how big do corydoras actually get the man at the fish store said only 1inch max

A female albino cory will get 2-3" and very wide and active.