Schooling fish for a shallow tank?

[ChloroPhil]

Hey folks, I'm considering setting up a very shallow tank and would love some recommendations for nano fish that do well in groups of 5 +. The dimensions are 48x24x12 and the aquascape will be a couple larger groups of rock with quite a bit of open space.

So far on the list of types I know of are the various Chromis, Damsels, and Bangai Cardinals. I would love to know what's new and exciting among nano schooling fish. Please keep in mind the tank will be open top with at most 10 inches, more likely 9 inches, of water.

Thank you in advance,
Phil

 

[nivram]

If you will have a top on it. I'd look at pink bar gobies. I think they are very underrated.

 

[RDtrack]

Damsels are alright if kept in a large tank....otherwise I think they like to pick off each other. So I would stay clear of trying to school them. You could to a wide variety of damsels.....

Red spot Cardinal fish would look nice; a reef chromis or two however they'll probably not school.

Good luck

 

[nikon187]

fish dont school in captivity, its a defensive behaviour. They may loosely asssociate with each other or shoal but not move as one. Your best bet is going to be one of the cardinal species other than bangai or pj. Look into threadfin , red line or orange stripe cardinals. Threadfin are my fav .

 

[Stomatopod1701]

I second the threading cardinals. I have a group of 20 in a 150 and they
look awesome. Not all cardinals shoal though, Bangiis are very likely to fight when not a mated pair and adult and I have never noticed my flame cardinals hanging out together?

 

[Stomatopod1701]

Sorry, meant thread-fin cardinal not threading.

 

[Squared]

+1 to the threadfins. in the presence of a larger fish they will be more likely to swim together.

 

[jeffesaurusrex]

Definitely avoid Chromis, they will kill each other down to two or one unless they are kept in a group large enough to disperse the aggression (like 10-15).

I like anthias, like lyretail or Bartlett's in a trio.