Schooling/shoaling

[guserto4]

Simple question everyone seems to want to know with a complex non-answer answer...

What's a decent schooling / shoaling fish? Let's say you wanted 5-7 that hung around / tolerated each other.

First I'll say that I get that in all but public aquariums it's unlikely you'd see real schooling as it is a defense mechanism used in larger spaces with predators about.

Second I'll say that I've tried (blue) chromis and we all know how many I ended up with. I've been tempted but haven't done the damsel route but would expect similar results.

Let's say you had a 100g and wanted something... Something that might begin to be called a sustainable group. Are there subspecies that actually tolerate (enjoy?!) hanging out together? I've heard the black axil chromis isn't nearly as aggressive towards one another as blue/green chromis. What about some subspecies of damsels? Any suggestions on other fish?

[snorvich]

Since this issue comes up so frequently on Reef Central, some additional information might be useful. An aggregation of fish is the general term for any collection of fish that have gathered together in some locality. Fish aggregations can be structured or unstructured. An unstructured aggregation might be a group of mixed species and sizes that have gathered randomly near some local resource, such as food or nesting sites.

If, in addition, the aggregation comes together in an interactive, social way, they are said to be shoaling. Although shoaling fish can relate to each other in a loose way, with each fish swimming and foraging somewhat independently, they are nonetheless aware of the other members of the group as shown by the way they adjust behavior such as swimming, so as to remain close to the other fish in the group. Shoaling groups can include fish of disparate sizes and can including mixed-species subgroups. In your sized aquarium, the closest result you are seeking will likely be Apogon Parvulus but these are delicate shippers. Once acclimated, they require multiple feedings per day with foods like nutramar ova.

If, as a further addition, the shoal becomes more tightly organized, with the fish synchronizing their swimming so they all move at the same speed and in the same direction, then the fish are said to be schooling. Schooling fish are usually of the same species and the same age/size. Fish schools move with the individual members precisely spaced from each other. The schools undertake complicated maneuvers, as though the schools as a whole have minds of their own. In your size aquarium, quite honestly that is just going to happen.

Shoaling is a special case of aggregating, and schooling is a special case of shoaling. While schooling and shoaling mean different things within biology, they are often treated as synonyms by non-specialists, with speakers of British English tending to use "shoaling" to describe any grouping of fish, while speakers of American English tend to use "schooling" just as loosely. The intricacies of schooling are far from fully understood, especially the swimming and feeding energetics. Many hypotheses to explain the function of schooling have been suggested, such as better orientation, synchronized hunting, predator confusion and reduced risk of being found. Schooling also has disadvantages, such as excretion buildup in the breathing media and oxygen and food depletion. The way the fish array in the school probably gives energy saving advantages, though this is controversial.

Fish can be obligate or facultative shoalers. Obligate shoalers, such as tunas, herrings and anchovy, spend all of their time shoaling or schooling, and become agitated if separated from the group. Facultative shoalers, such as Atlantic cod, saiths and some carangids, shoal only some of the time, perhaps for reproductive purposes.

Shoaling fish can shift into a disciplined and coordinated school, then shift back to an amorphous shoal within seconds. Such shifts are triggered by changes of activity from feeding, resting, traveling or avoiding predators.

I am sure this is much more than you ever wanted to know!

:hmm5:

[mopchopper]

Maybe try pajama or bengaii cardinals....they tend to group together in numbers

[davocean]

My most simple answer to this question is this, if you like or wish to achieve something that looks like this, these fish are pretty neato.

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/mermail/Octotank011.jpg (http://s38.photobucket.com/user/mermail/media/Octotank011.jpg.html)

[snorvich]

Maybe try pajama or bengaii cardinals....they tend to group together in numbers

Sorry, but Bangaii cardinal fish only coexist as a male and female pair. Pajama cardinals will initally group together then pair off.

[AdamSabina]

My chomis sometimes schooled before feedings in my 150 gallon. I had 12 of them... But the collectively beat up everything I put in.

[Rollins4Miles]

I had success getting fish to school using feeder guppies and mollies. First step is to convert them to saltwater. Use an acclimation box so the other fish get used to their presence. After that you should be good to go given the environment would induce schooling. The obvious downside is if there's an environment to induce schooling you're probably going to have issues with the larger fish slowly picking off you school until there's none left. Then the process has to start over again or you can top off the schooling fish when the numbers decline.

[guserto4]

Snorvich that was interesting to read, thanks! I figured there was some difference but had no idea how to articulate.

Anthias would group but I don't want to deal with their feeding schedule. Mollies might be an interesting idea, though It'd be great if there was just some (cheap) SW species that did it. Though, if they did with any success we'd all know about it and I wouldn't have had to put the question out there.

I just want some grouping of blueish movement in the tank, thinking from an aesthetic sense. Would be nice if we could bend these creatures even further to our whim- maybe genetic engineering will some day make it so...
(I get how ridiculous I purposely sound)

[davocean]

My chomis sometimes schooled before feedings in my 150 gallon. I had 12 of them... But the collectively beat up everything I put in.

I have heard of them beating themselves up, but never other fish, they are usually fairly passive as damsels go.
I have always kept them w/out any issues, but it seems a lot of people have had problems keeping them long term, not sure why.

[o2manyfish]

Bar Gobies -- Inexpensive, super hardy, and will hang out in groups.

Dave B

[tcmfish]

Dartfish (bar gobies, scissortail gobies, firefish etc.) will pair off...

Cardinalfish don't move much, but are a decent choice. Threadfins, and yellowstriped are some cool ones you can get captive raised.

Some chromis are okay, I really like Lepidozygus tapeinosoma. Hard to find, but usually not too expensive and group well.

Most anthias form a somewhat organized chaos group. Not really schooling/shoaling just kind of grouped and always vying for dominance. Lots of chasing.

Stripeys form nice groups, might be a little large for that size tank.

Monos as well. Flagtails as well. Both might be a little large.

[mayjong]

striped cardinals.
i have 4 coming tomorrow