Best schooling fish for a mid sized reef tank

[double0banks]

I am interested in having a small school of fish in my 55ga once it has cyled and all parameters are where they should be. Seing as it is not a huge tank and will house coral, inverts, and other fish I would need a fish that stays reletivly small, is curtious to tank mates, and doesn't chew on my coral. Please note that the tank will be coral dominated so the additional fish (besides the school would be very few. Any of you know of a fish that could fit this role? Suggestions to the # of this fish would be comfortable would also be appreciated.

 

[R.W.]

i would do a group of chromis. I love mine cause they are always together.

 

[davocean]

I'm a chromis fan as well.
Bangaii's would also be cool.

 

[TChristman]

Chromis are a good choice. Over a long period of time one of them will establish themselves as the bully and start picking on the smallest one until he is the only one the left. This has been my experience but it happens over years.

 

[Sardaukar]

I'm a chromis fan as well.
Bangaii's would also be cool.

Bangaii's don't school. Eventually a pair will form and kill off the rest.

Some of the other cardinal's do school. I know the threadfin cardinal will school and I think the orangestripe might as well.

 

[double0banks]

After doing a bit of research I did see that bangii wouldn't school and that most suggest an odd number of schooling fish. I also read (contradicts previous statement) That six was a good number. Do you think 5 or seven would be the right amount. Im leaning toward 5 due to the size of the tank.

 

[davocean]

Chromis I have had 6 for 6 years in one tank, 5 for a year and a half in another, and presently I have 4 in my 67g for about 9 months now.
I've never had a problem w/ them picking each other off, so personally I don't see odd/even being an issue.

 

[double0banks]

Would any variation work or does temperment vary with the different kinds? ie. Blue, green, red honey..ect

 

[sedor]

I've never had a problem with the 4 chromis in my tank either. However, I don't feel they are really a schooling fish, but they tend to stay kind of packed together. A truer schooling fish is Anthias, but they are pricey and I think your tank is a little small... Another + for chromis is that electric blue color adds a lot of interest to a tank.