Schooling Fish Suggestions?

blenny90 · #1 04/07/2006, 02:12 PM

We are upgrading our 90 Reef to a 210 and would like to have some kind of active schooling fish in the new tank. Any suggestions or pictures of fish that would work?

Fish we currently have:

BiColor Blenny
Yellow Tang
Royal Gramma
2 Perc Clowns
Diamond Sifter Goby
Flame Angel
6 Line Wrasse
2 Yellow Tail Damsels (not sure if we will move them to the new tank)
3 Skunk Cleaner Shrimp
Lyretail Anthias (male - currently has popeye - if he doesn't get well, we will not move him to the new tank)

Thanks

reefgirl7 · #2 04/07/2006, 02:26 PM

have you thought of some blue/green chromis?They like to school togther.

blenny90 · #3 04/07/2006, 02:35 PM

Yes, they are a consideration - do they have much color? How many would need to be put together to school?

bigevill · #4 04/07/2006, 02:36 PM

mine schooled for awhile then killed each other off once they realized that there was no threat that required them to school.

mcegelsk · #5 04/07/2006, 02:53 PM

I've read that they like odd numbers for some reason...not sure why...but that's the chromis for ya! I would guess you could do 3, 5, 7 depending on your water cleaning regime ~Matt

bigevill · #6 04/07/2006, 03:01 PM

yeah I had 7 to start with.....

RichConley · #7 04/07/2006, 03:06 PM

7 isnt nearly enough with chromis.

You have a lyretail anthias. Why not some more anthias....

mickyfin · #8 04/07/2006, 03:11 PM

I had 7 now just one.

They are just like the highlander, there can be only one!

RichConley · #9 04/07/2006, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mickyfin
I had 7 now just one.

They are just like the highlander, there can be only one!

I kind of think of Chromis like tiger barbs. In small numbers they kill each other. Throw 30 of them together, and they school nicely, and dont really bother each other.

Its silly to try to mimic a schooling fish with only a couple individuals.

bigevill · #10 04/07/2006, 03:15 PM

well 30 in a 150 would be kind of crowded.

blenny90 · #11 04/07/2006, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by RichConley
7 isnt nearly enough with chromis.

You have a lyretail anthias. Why not some more anthias....

We have considered that as well. They are a colorful fish. If they are in a group are they out in the open more? Our male hides out a lot.

rbrice020378 · #12 04/07/2006, 03:32 PM

Try to get a group of females with 1 or 2 males.
They should be out plenty with that many. There is a shop in Jackson TN with anthias in their show and they have just a couple of males for a group of females and they are out all the time.

RichConley · #13 04/07/2006, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bigevill
well 30 in a 150 would be kind of crowded.

I agree. Not many people would agree with me, but I think a 150 is too small for chromis.

aubee91 · #14 04/07/2006, 03:55 PM

I guess they might be too large, but how about schooling bannerfsih?

http://www.fotosearch.com/comp/AGE/A...G57-157316.jpg

http://www.vividaquariums.com/10Expa...Code=01-1813-S

clutch · #15 04/07/2006, 04:01 PM

i have 27 green/blue chromis's in my tank. Love them, they school all time. I think it's really neat when the lights come on the big one comes put first them little by little they all come out pretty cool. My favorite fish r my chromis's. Well a second to my 9 inch BPT.

Wryknow · #16 04/07/2006, 04:17 PM

A school of 5 or 6 yellow tangs is pretty cool too.

BigBert96 · #17 04/07/2006, 04:19 PM

150 too small? Come on man. Thats a little extreme dont you think. Ive kept a school of 7 chromis in a 55 gallon with no problems. I have a 120 and am thinking of putting a total of 9 in there. Their by far my favorite in the tank.

davocean · #18 04/07/2006, 04:43 PM

I've had the same 6 chromis for 4 years now in my 90
Love em, colors shift from blue to green.
My anthias schools with them also
They've never been agressive

davocean · #19 04/07/2006, 05:52 PM

My chromis are adapting to my anemones
check my gallery

poppin_fresh · #20 04/07/2006, 08:47 PM

I have 5 BGC's in my 72. They have been in there for almost a year and they all get along and swim together all day long. I think a 150 is big enough to quell agression, but there are always exceptions.

an-sps · #21 04/07/2006, 08:51 PM

try a group of orange strip cardinal fish mabye 5-7 or go with a male flasher wrasse and 3 or 4 females the little courtship the male does is pretty cool.

blenny90 · #22 04/07/2006, 09:03 PM

I love the look of the flasher wrasse - would they be okay with our 6 line wrasse?

Ventura67 · #23 04/07/2006, 09:19 PM

The best thing about the Chromis is that they draw out the other fish with their constant activity. Mine are basically Blue-Green saltwater Piranha! Watch your fingers at feeding time!

Six Lines can be viscious with new wrasse arrivals but if you hold the six-line in another tank until a school of Fairy or Flasher wrasse establishes in the new tank you can put him in. Or add the new fish shortly after the change-over and you will probably by-pass the aggression.

Other suggestions:

Pacific Blue Tangs (no less than 5 to curb aggression)

Yellow Tangs

Purple Tangs (expensive as a school but get 'em small and you can do it in that size tank!)

Hardier Anthias

Engineer Gobies (school only in the juvenile stage but great for bottom-stirring later)