Blue-green Chromis school size

[cabin]

Just wanted to post that I've had chromis now for two years, and have never seen much in the way of schooling behavior. They'd get three or so together for a bit, then split up, and mostly kept apart. I always had no more than eight of them total, and no less than five, since if it got down to five, I'd buy more. Recently I took the total to nine, and for the first time, I'm seeing consistent schooling behavior. Has anyone else had similar experience? If I'd realized nine was the magic number, I'd have bought that many long ago. Is my current success just a fluke, or am I on to something here?
Wynne

 

[Ewan]

Hi Wynne.

I tried a school of 2 years ago. The group dwindled quickly, and it wasn't long before I was left with one. The weakest would be singled out and picked on by the rest of the group, this continued until there was only the lone chromis. The first week or so I had schooling behavior, but I believe it was more of a defensive mechanism, as they were likely uncomfortable in their new surroundings. I searched and searched for a recommended number, but all I could recover was the usual 'expert' columnists and their recommendations (one such admitted to never owning chromis... what the heck would they know about their behavior?)

I'm interested to see if this keeps up for you... I think you may be on to something.

While my chromis were schooling [and alive] it was beautiful! It made the tank so much more peaceful. I think I watched the tank more in those 2 weeks than ever before.



-Rob

 

[smtarr]

Wynne, I too have had a hard time coming up with the 'magic' nimber. I've never had more than 5 at a time. I've never noticed the agression Rob speaks of. I've had the same 4 chromis for a couple of years now. When I set up my reef in my new house I'll add 5 more and see what happens. I have been told that the school needs to contain an 'odd' number of chromis and increased my school to 5 which worked out well as far as no agression goes and when the 5th one died it seemed to make no difference in their behavior. Keep us posted. Sue

 

[RLMainers]

Anyone have a trick for catching them? I have one left in my tank that I want to get rid of. He's such a jerk to everyone...especially our new mated pair of twin spot gobies. Thanks!

 

[Ewan]

tiny flyfishing hook. I've got some barbless #18's (about 1/8" long) that are safer to use than a net. Great for little fish.

I'll bring one to the meeting if you're interested.

-Rob

 

[Driftwood]

That sounds like fun... It might be hard to catch the fish you wanted though!

 

[smtarr]

RL Mainers, You got a blue-green chromis that's a bully? Mine are so peaceful, never bother anybody. Maybe he's lonely. If you're going to the auction Saturday, maybe you could bring him if you can catch him. I want a few more so I can get some schooling action. I have only 4 right now. I think I want to end up with 9. SUe

 

[cabin]

I've had a strange amount of difficulty with adding chromis to an existing group. On more than one occasion, I've added new chromis, trying to beef up the size of the group, only to have some of the original ones die. It was almost like the new ones introduced some invisible disease specific to a chromis, or the stress of new arrivals blew out the social structure, making the original members so unhappy they fade away. Whatever the cause, the most recent addition was the first time in two years that I've managed to add new chromis and NOT had any of the ones already there die shortly after. Based on what has happened to me, I'd say don't add one at a time, add a decent number all at once.

 

[smtarr]

Wynne, Totally makes sence to me to add all I want to end up with all at once. I think I'll add MORE than I want to end up with in case some DO die. Thanks for the tip. See you Sunday. Sue