Would like a shoal for my 58g.

[awestruck]

Hi everyone--I have a 58g. with a mishmosh of fish. Currently I have 1 Purple Firefish, 1 PJ Cardinal, 1 Clownfish, and 1 Coral Beauty. Last year I tried to shoal the cardinals but only 1 survived. I didn't try to shoal the purple firefish because at the time I didn't have enough $. The coral beauty is going back to the store--it was a good friend to all neighbors until recently when it began to nip. Oh, I have also tried to shoal blue/green chromis and again, only one survived (it died when stray current ran through my tank). So, I want to try again and would like advice. My 58g. is only 36" long so that must be taken into consideration. Any thoughts and TIA.

[EdKruzel]

Firefish pair for a while but seldom more than a year or two before the most dominant kills even its mate. Chromis only school to avoid danger, it doesn't work well in aquariums.

Cardinals will school with the exception of Bangaii, so you can try glass or red spots. Another attempt would be a small fairy wrasse species with three or four females.

[frederickk]

Hey Ed I was just curious about the Banggai as I was told that they can school if the tank is large enough.

Did you try to school them?

[awestruck]

Ed, great advice on the fairy wrasses--they are beautiful! Thanx much for your input. :)

[EdKruzel]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9559454#post9559454 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by frederickk
Hey Ed I was just curious about the Banggai as I was told that they can school if the tank is large enough.

Did you try to school them?

I have attempted in large systems and know others with similar systems and larger than mine was, but the results were generally the same; while very tiny they will school in a Long Spined Urchin or a homemade urchin look a like, but as they mature they break into pairs and run off the stragglers. In smaller systems (<240) they often killed the loners.

[frederickk]

Thanks Ed.

I was thinking of going there but will re-think about it.

[snorvich]

Ed's description is what they do in the wild as well. Keep in mind they will eat smallish fish so be careful what you put them with.

[frederickk]

Yeah I know they have such a huge mouth.

[Wrench]

I have 5 blue/green chromis in my 45g tank that shoal.

[EdKruzel]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9564273#post9564273 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Wrench
I have 5 blue/green chromis in my 45g tank that shoal.
They won't for long; unfortunately after a few months (hopefully longer) they will maybe pair and the lesser individuals will be killed.

[Wrench]

6 months and counting. No signs of agression yet.