Blue/Green, Blue Reef, Orange Line.. Will all Chromis "shoal" together?

[KidFrost]

As the title states, I am looking for variety and was wondering if I get a few different kinds of Chromis, if they will school together or will the all keep seperate?

TIA

Kidfrost

 

[MrTuskfish]

Usually (IME) fish tend to only school with their own species.I don't think chromis really shoal the way FW tetras, etc. do. Unless they're in a massive system, chromis (and almost all SW fish) will spread through the tank; I imagine they think they're "shoaling" because they are still in a relatively small space. Groups of most chromis species also tend to attack each other until they number just '1".

 

[Monkeyfish]

+1

If you're looking for fish to shoal in the aquarium your best bet is Zoramia leptacanthus and a few other cardinal species.

 

[MIKE NY]

Usually (IME) fish tend to only school with their own species.I don't think chromis really shoal the way FW tetras, etc. do. Unless they're in a massive system, chromis (and almost all SW fish) will spread through the tank; I imagine they think they're "shoaling" because they are still in a relatively small space. Groups of most chromis species also tend to attack each other until they number just '1".

x2...I had a group and now I'm down to one which schools with my cardinals ...LOL

 

[humaguy]

agree with above...I had a group of 12 blue/green, after a couple months there was one...

 

[trinidiver]

I started of with 8 of various sizes in my big tank, now i"m down to 4. The biggest one really terrorized the others and it still continues. he even tries to bully the pajam cardinals and royal gramma, but they always keep him on track. I Have 4 more with 3 azure damsels and other fish in a smaller tank and they are fine. I think its because maybe i took them from the same tank at the LFS. Also, all of them are the same size...... about an inch.

 

[anbosu]

I started with 3 and have had two for the last year and a half.

I would expect them all to just fight.

 

[Cptn Spaulding]

I have been dealing with a school of 6 blue/green in a 180 for about 6 months now. they are all still alive and have doubled in size. The key I have noticed is to feed them like it's your job. If they stay fat, they don't drop nearly as easily (unless of course you have a big jerk that literally kills them off). And yes, they do "shoal" a lot. I have even seen dispar anthias try to school with them and follow them around. My favorite has to be a nice group of Banggai Cardinals, though. They are very peaceful and hardy once acclimated.

 

[jhentr]

IME think they will keep separate unless they are kept with fishes bigger and more intimidating. When I had 10 in my 500 gallons along with big triggers/angels/tanks, they kept pretty close that it seems they where schooling/shaoling.

Their numbers didn't dwindle down at all. Probably because of the space they had to swim and escape with.

Now QT 7 bg chromis in my 10 gallons, I can see them with all sorts of missing scales from bickering with each other. Of course one of the looks the worst compared to the others.