best schooling fish chromis or anthias

[G13]

I'm setting up a 125 and would like to get some info on schooling fish. I'm looking for a type of fish that'll stay small, around 3" and has a schooling behavior. I've always read that chromis and most type of anthias have schooled in many home aquariums. I've always wanted to know if the schooling is only temporary or do they always school? Do they only school if there is a larger bully fish around.

I've been thinking of going with 5 VERY small blue/green chromis and probably a trio of bartletts. It would be pretty cool if they schooled together.

 

[Chibils]

In the wild, "schooling" is a defensive behavior. If you can get chromis that have already formed a harem (a dominant male with a group of females), that's a good bet. Otherwise, they'll most likely kill 3 of your 5. Anthias seem to be easier to pair up. Sexual dimorphism is relatively prominent, so it's easy to get a male and a group of females.

 

[FlaGuy]

Is it true that Anthias tend to be more of a jumper than Chromis?

 

[Chibils]

Probably. Chromis are more likely to just kill each other. They're agressive (mostly toward each other, but they're not the nicest).

 

[will16]

I have been looking into this as well. Want to stay away from Chromis' because of their aggressiveness. Are there any other to consider besides chromis and anthias?

 

[Chibils]

Cardinals will school. kauderni, nematoptera and orbiculatus stay relatively still in the water column, but longspine and black spots I've been told school in the way that chromis and anthias do.
They're not nearly as colorful, though.

 

[randoma]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12235545#post12235545 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Chibils
Cardinals will school. kauderni, nematoptera and orbiculatus stay relatively still in the water column, but longspine and black spots I've been told school in the way that chromis and anthias do.
They're not nearly as colorful, though.

Banggai Cardinals (kauderni) do not, in my experience school - in fact, they are extremely aggressive towards conspecifics.

Pajama Cardinals (orbiculatus) do school and can be kept in groups of 3 or more. However, as they get bigger/older, they can also become aggressive towards conspecifics.

Dispar Anthias make a very nice, relatively small, schooling fish..

 

[TJ]

Keep a watch on on Live Aquaria's Diver's Den- they did have a school of 5 Banggais- I have a pair and they do stay together, but they were bought as a pair, same as my pair of pyjamas.
I have anthias and chromis and they actually stay together most of the time, it's cute.

 

[jubjub]

my chromies arent aggressive at all...actually my false percs pick on them more but they are aggressive eaters.....

for sure cost purposes i would go with chromies at 20-30bux a pop or more thats a expensive school

 

[nauticac4]

I dont have the agression problem people state with chromis.
There is a group of 5 in my tank that swim and sleep together without many quarrels.

I have the chromis and a school of anthias (did I am down to 2).
I vote chromis for the following reasons:
1. They are much cheaper
2. Much smaller = less waste
3. Dont require multiple feedings a day like many anthias do

 

[mflamb]

I started with 6 Chromis about 6 months ago, now there are 3.

 

[Chibils]

Like I said, over half of the people in the poll I saw here had trouble keeping more than 2 or 3 alive. The rest of the population was able to keep a reasonably-sized school happy. It depends on the fish, conditions, etc.

 

[SkyPapa]

7 chromis and 4 anthias.
They sometimes school together but the chromis usually school by themselves.
I started with 11 chromis, lost 4 in the first month. The remaining 7 have been together for 6 months.

 

[Playa-1]

I have 5 Chromis and they all get along great. They school all the time. If i see one out of the pack it makes me think he's feeling bad or something.

 

["Umm fish?"]

Bangaiis will stay together as juveniles but once they hit maturity, look out. They will indeed kill each other. Please try to find a captive-bred pair if you go with Bangaiis. There aren't that many left in the wild.