Is it possible to keep large shoals of fish?

[triggerfish1976]

I know that "shoal" is a relative term in our aquariums but I was wondering if anyone has been able to keep 10 or more of the same species chromis, cardinalfish, or anthias longer term (2+ years)? To qualify it has to be the same 10 fish not just species.

[King-Kong]

Well, 2+ years is a long time, so I'm interested in finding out as well.

I have 7 threadfin cardinals, all eating (so they should survive). I had to go through about 20, though, to get 7 that ate. Pretty rough and expensive run.

[triggerfish1976]

I brought it up because I see the topic all the time and I have personally tried keeping 10 or more Lyretail, Bicolor, Bartlett, and Dispars Anthias along with Chromis and it always starts out fine for the first few months and then the chain reaction starts. One of the females turns male and fights with the intial male. One wins and the other dies. This keeps going on with the remaining females until I am left with 3-4 and then everything stabilizing and they do fine.

[SDguy]

Originally posted by triggerfish1976
... then the chain reaction starts. One of the females turns male and fights with the intial male. One wins and the other dies. This keeps going on with the remaining females until I am left with 3-4 and then everything stabilizing and they do fine.

Anyone know how often this goes on in the wild, as a reference baseline?

[dadonoflaw]

thats what happened to me. i had 9 lyretails. yada yada now i have 5.

[natan]

I have a question for all of you guys: why no one ever considers silversides as candidates for a shoaling fish in a reef? Yes, they are not as colorful as antias, but are small, reef safe and will always do the job, forming a dense shoal. And I found that, personality wise, they are more of a character than any chromis.

[350nine]

I am trying a new approach to this as well. I have in a QT tank 15 Bartlett's(Looking for a few more). I plan to keep them in there for a few months to establish schooling/pecking order. I figure they will establish some kind of happy community sooner or later and in the meantime I will just cull out the black sheeps. Better to do this here than in the main tank.

[King-Kong]

Originally posted by natan
I have a question for all of you guys: why no one ever considers silversides as candidates for a shoaling fish in a reef? Yes, they are not as colorful as antias, but are small, reef safe and will always do the job, forming a dense shoal. And I found that, personality wise, they are more of a character than any chromis.

Have you done this? Have any pics?

Where did you get the live silversides?

[SDguy]

I know the Georgia aquarium has a large group of sweepers in it's first tank in the reef area.....not sure how they do long term, but pretty neat.

[rottbo]

Where did you get the live silversides?

I would like to know the same

[sayn3ver]

anywhere near a coast line they are sold as bait fish, live, from bait&tackle shops.

[rottbo]

So us Midwest guys have nowhere to get them??? plus its illegal in some states to use live smelt as bait

[King-Kong]

The life expectancy of baitfish, however, tends to be pretty horrible. If purchased from a bait vendor, I wouldnt expect them to live very long.