Why Won't My Black Skirt School

[tlciulla69]

hi:
i just got my very first tank (30 gallons). I started out with 4 black skirt tetras. The smallest one (male?) whose fins are blacker that the others refuses to school. It hides in plants. I do not think it is being abused. It seems to me the three larger (female?) fish seem to try to get the other to school, which (he?) does periodically? Any ideas? Should I try to get another who looks more similar to the non-schooler? Thanks.

 

[Chri$]

Sounds like normal behaviour to me.

Mine would only shoal together when they were frightened, otherwise they would spend a lot of time on there own. I would however add a couple more to make the numbers up, as they usully become more active when in larger groups.

On occasion mine would also mark out there own little territory and chase any other black skirt away that entered it.

 

[n3ont3tra]

Schooling is only really used when the fish are scared.