Schooling Fish

[DougBushBC]

I have really wanted to get some schooling fish for my tank, and would love some advice as to which to get. Here is fish stock list (along with numerous LPS and Softies):

Longfish Bannerfish (most amazing fish I own)
Dragon Wrasse
One Spot Foxface
Scopas Tang
Scissortail Goby
Tomato Clown (Large)
Horseface Blenny
Sailfin Blenny

Thanks so much!

 

[DougBushBC]

bumpie

 

[caorca]

You can't do wrong with 5 to 7 blue chromies. They're always out in front putting on a show.

 

[LUVSPS]

I second Chromis. While I don't have any yet, I think they make a reef tank look dazzling. I'm going to get 10 blue/greens for my 120.

 

[reef_doug]

green Chromis are great if you have alot of flow. If you do then they stay towards the surface. If no flow then they will hide in the rocks.

Anthias may not school but they will definitely add alot of color.

 

[BangkokMatt]

There are very few fish which will school in a 'home' sized aquarium. None of the fish already listed will.
If you want a 'school' then you need to consider some of the smaller cardinals such as Apogon leptacanthus (Glass Cardinals). They don't look good in pics but are quite dazzling when viewed in a display tank.

 

[DougBushBC]

Thanks for the advice, how are the chromis with other fish?

 

[grimmjohn]

I second a small cardinal for a 90
Longspine/bluestripe/blueeyes are cool
Orange stripe
Red line
And my favorite is a TINY cardinal we've been getting in lately the wholesaler calls a red glass cardinal...Large neon tetra size and STICK to each other like glue. They live and eat 10X better than the Bangais we've been getting in. I love them they are so iridescent. The only place I've seen them online though is when LA had a school for sale in the divers den a few weks ago.

 

[grimmjohn]

Also, in a 90g enjoy your school of green chromis getting picked off down to one or two..more than likely anyway.

 

[Aqua Keepers]

I just seen a pic of those Apogon leptacanthus (Glass Cardinals), and they are sweet! How many do you think I can put into a 55g?

 

[BangkokMatt]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13236031#post13236031 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pito
I just seen a pic of those Apogon leptacanthus (Glass Cardinals), and they are sweet! How many do you think I can put into a 55g?

What other stock do you have?

 

[Hormigaquatica]

Chromis will eventually pick eachother off- I wouldnt try keeping a school of them long term in a 90 (or anything under 6').

Consider cardinals, as others have mentioned. Sweepers are cool too if you can find them (though a little more delicate). If you look, Glassy Sweepers are available once in a while.

 

[Aqua Keepers]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13236393#post13236393 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BangkokMatt
What other stock do you have?

Nothing yet. I'm still building. So far, all I have planned for fish is a CBB, and a pair of clowns. I might try an engineer goby, but this is gonna be a BB tank.

 

[BangkokMatt]

If that is your (future) stock then you could safely keep 10 max. They need very gentle (QT and) acclimation.

Side note - I added a school of 8 once. At the time I also had a black cardinal. Within 2 days the BC devoured the lot. Never saw that coming

 

[DougBushBC]

I found a few threadfins at an LFS today, is that the same as the glass cardinal?

 

[BangkokMatt]

Yes, they are the same fish.

 

[DougBushBC]

cool... LFS price was ridic (like $39 each)