Fish Schooling Behaviour - Single or Multiple?

greenaqua · 02-03-2013, 07:14 PM

So I got 6 rummynose and they are schooling tight. But mine is a 30G tank...and new tank so I am loading them slow. its primarily a planted tank. But I am thinking of making it a little more lively. I want only schooling small fish and no fishes that go in random all over the place.

So, do I just add more rummynose or add another kind? Will they school better when another kind of school is there or doesn't affect that behavior?

Thanks!

**mitchfish9** · 02-04-2013, 12:48 AM

I think you can add a few more rummynose, then another type of tetra that contrasts the rummynose well like black neon or pristella tetra. Or you can have a big school of a smaller cory? Lots of options, are you looking into any other schoolers?

greenaqua · 02-04-2013, 01:49 AM

Yes... I want only schoolers... I am trying to figure out if I add more rummynose... will they still try to stick together or try to form couple of schools.. esp I don't have any other fish..

greenaqua · 02-05-2013, 12:34 AM

any other suggestions?

Diana · 02-05-2013, 03:04 AM

No matter how many fish you have of one species, there will always be one or two that will not hang out with the others. or wants to explore on their own. However, if you get more of the same, then the effect is much better, you will really see good schooling action. When there are too-few of a species you do not see the real schooling behavior, even if you are not missing one or two that are doing their own thing.

Look at it this way:
If you have 6, and 1-2 are off on their own, then you are looking at a 'school' of only 4-5 fish. Not impressive.

But if you have a dozen, and 3 go off and hang out by themselves, you still have 9 in the main group, and that looks like something. If the tank is large enough I would get even more.

Is the tank a tall style?
Or a standard 29 gallon?
Either of these has enough top space and floor space to mix the tank with half a dozen Cories, or some Hatchets (covered top is a must).

If it is a shallow, long or breeder style, then I would get more Rummies, maybe a few Otos if needed, but nothing else.

greenaqua · 02-06-2013, 12:45 AM

Yeah.. 30G (I think its standard but looks long for 30G)
I also have 4 Otos but they are on their own and almost hiding during the day.. probably will get another 6 rummynose

02-03-2013, 07:14 PM	#1
greenaqua Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Washington DC Posts: 55	Fish Schooling Behaviour - Single or Multiple? So I got 6 rummynose and they are schooling tight. But mine is a 30G tank...and new tank so I am loading them slow. its primarily a planted tank. But I am thinking of making it a little more lively. I want only schooling small fish and no fishes that go in random all over the place. So, do I just add more rummynose or add another kind? Will they school better when another kind of school is there or doesn't affect that behavior? Thanks!

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02-04-2013, 12:48 AM	#2
mitchfish9 Planted Tank Nation (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Oak Park, IL Posts: 873	I think you can add a few more rummynose, then another type of tetra that contrasts the rummynose well like black neon or pristella tetra. Or you can have a big school of a smaller cory? Lots of options, are you looking into any other schoolers?

02-04-2013, 01:49 AM	#3
greenaqua Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Washington DC Posts: 55	Yes... I want only schoolers... I am trying to figure out if I add more rummynose... will they still try to stick together or try to form couple of schools.. esp I don't have any other fish..

02-05-2013, 12:34 AM	#4
greenaqua Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Washington DC Posts: 55	any other suggestions?

02-05-2013, 03:04 AM	#5
Diana Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Contra Costa CA Posts: 5,015	No matter how many fish you have of one species, there will always be one or two that will not hang out with the others. or wants to explore on their own. However, if you get more of the same, then the effect is much better, you will really see good schooling action. When there are too-few of a species you do not see the real schooling behavior, even if you are not missing one or two that are doing their own thing. Look at it this way: If you have 6, and 1-2 are off on their own, then you are looking at a 'school' of only 4-5 fish. Not impressive. But if you have a dozen, and 3 go off and hang out by themselves, you still have 9 in the main group, and that looks like something. If the tank is large enough I would get even more. Is the tank a tall style? Or a standard 29 gallon? Either of these has enough top space and floor space to mix the tank with half a dozen Cories, or some Hatchets (covered top is a must). If it is a shallow, long or breeder style, then I would get more Rummies, maybe a few Otos if needed, but nothing else.

02-06-2013, 12:45 AM	#6
greenaqua Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Washington DC Posts: 55	Yeah.. 30G (I think its standard but looks long for 30G) I also have 4 Otos but they are on their own and almost hiding during the day.. probably will get another 6 rummynose