Good small shoaling fish?

[Formulator]

Hi All,

One of the cooler additions to my freshwater tank has been about 15 neon tetras. They are small, but constantly move around the tank together and add a neat dimension to the tank which contrasts nicely with the larger "feature" fish. Are there any saltwater, reef-safe specimens that will shoal together like this in a 4ft 120 g tank? If so, what is a good number?

My tentative stocking list includes a lawnmower blenny, 2 clowns, 2 damsels (if they dont turn into devils), 1 each of juvenile yellow and blue tangs, CUC of cleaner shrimp, snails, 2 blue legged hermits, and someday down the road if I can build up a good community of pods, a mandarin.

Coral-wise Im planning on LPS dominant mixed. Let me know your thoughts. Thanks!

-Chris

 

[Sk8r]

There really aren't, but if you do get some damsels they will stay in motion near their own territories. I'd recommend one Fiji blue and one yellowtail, and maybe 3 yellowtails---tentatively, with the blue: they don't tend to fuss, and they're always busy around their own area. They tend to posture at each other, but serious fights, no, with enough room.

 

[Formulator]

There really aren't, but if you do get some damsels they will stay in motion near their own territories. I'd recommend one Fiji blue and one yellowtail, and maybe 3 yellowtails---tentatively, with the blue: they don't tend to fuss, and they're always busy around their own area. They tend to posture at each other, but serious fights, no, with enough room.

Thanks. About your signature..."No filters". Surely you have a skimmer at least? If not, please educate me!

 

[Sk8r]

Skimmer yes, no filter. I run a reef; fish onlies may use them, but reefs would have trouble.

 

[Sk8r]

For groups of fish, you might also look into anthias. They're beautiful as a group, but I don't know what their tank size requirements are.

 

[TauntingBeef]

I like my chromis I have just 2 and they stay around each other but mine seem to hide alot

 

[Sk8r]

chromis are very pretty fish and generally active in a tank. They generally don't fight other species, which is a good thing!

 

[whosurcaddie]

If you want chromis get them in groups of five or more they seem to be more comfortable in larger numbers. They may kill each other of though.

Anthias are the best choice for schooling fish, the most beautiful at least. Anthias need to be fed often throughout the day so take that into consideration. Pretty pricey as well and you will want at least three.

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

Chalk bass are another option.

 

[lifeoffaith]

Most traditional shoaling fish will eventually end up as a much smaller number than what you put in due to picking off the others. I've tried chalk bass, chromis, cardinals. All of them eventually ended up with a much smaller grouping. If you have a very large tank and some bigger fish that might scare the little shoaling fish, you might get a better shoaling effect without them killing off everybody else. Just my two cents.