I am considering adding several (3?) smaller schooling fish to my 55 with the hopes of adding some additional color and activity to the environment. I currently have 2 Clarkiis, 1 Fire Goby and 1 Yellow Tang (sadly my 3/4" Blue Hippo disappeared after 4 days). Any suggestions? I've read Green Chromis do well. I also have read that the Clarkiis will not take kindly to any additional damsels being added since they, too, are basically damsels.
Schooling
- Thread starter Foody
- Start date
DustyReefer
New member
Im particularly fond of the squamipinnis anthias. They're supposed to be one of the hardier species, and they're a lot more colorful than your run of the mill chromis. But if you do end up deciding on the chromis they aren't as much of an investment just make sure you feed them frequently
FSU3NOLES28
New member
How long ago did your hippo disappear?
cardiffgiant
Active member
From what I've heard, chromis will pick each other of over time if they aren't in a large enough system with other fish. Anthias are a great schooling fish, but their high metabolism can make them a challenge (keeping them fed and keeping your NO3 and PO4 in balance).
Gary Majchrzak
Team RC
I have yet to see any good schooling marine fish for smaller (home size) aquariums. Cardinalfish (but not Bangaii) are probably one of the best choices.
Chromis don't school and will pick each other off until 2 or 3 remain.
Anthias are (relatively) high maintenance and you'd better do your homework before spending money.
I like harems of flasher or fairy wrasses and THAT would be my recommendation here.
Chromis don't school and will pick each other off until 2 or 3 remain.
Anthias are (relatively) high maintenance and you'd better do your homework before spending money.
I like harems of flasher or fairy wrasses and THAT would be my recommendation here.
DustyReefer
New member
Why not the bangaii cardinals? do they tend to pick each other off until there is one mated pair?
Gary Majchrzak
Team RC
Henry Colf
New member
You could also do chalk bass, they do school and don't get to big..
mtcoins123
Far From Average
I have chromis and cardinals schooling but I think my favorite schooling fish is the common shrimp fish very weird fish to watch, needs lots of bugs in the live rock though
gatorlover
New member
der_wille_zur_macht
Team RC
I think you and I bought big bunches around the same time last fall, right? How are yours? I have lost one though I am fairly certain he was eaten by an anemone. I agree though they really do not school though they sometimes swim together.
Gary Majchrzak
Team RC
that's what I meant by Cardinalfish that school
that's what I meant by Cardinalfish that school
I happen to think these are a great choice. There are other similar Cardinal species.
I have yet to try Firefish or Bar Gobies. My aquarium has some brutes so these might not work in my particular case.
My Green Chromis don't school. For sure. Sometimes they swim together. They behave very similarly in the ocean. I'm definitely down some Chromis since introducing them. I know one became sushi through my MP60. The other 2 or 3 that are missing.... who knows? I'm sure my carpet anemone will eat any Chromis it can catch. Junior is big enough to swallow smaller ones whole....
that's what I meant by Cardinalfish that school
I have 5 of these guys that school, not real colorful
I happen to think these are a great choice. There are other similar Cardinal species.
I have yet to try Firefish or Bar Gobies. My aquarium has some brutes so these might not work in my particular case.
My Green Chromis don't school. For sure. Sometimes they swim together. They behave very similarly in the ocean. I'm definitely down some Chromis since introducing them. I know one became sushi through my MP60. The other 2 or 3 that are missing.... who knows? I'm sure my carpet anemone will eat any Chromis it can catch. Junior is big enough to swallow smaller ones whole....
Randy15
New member
Bar gobies school for sure. I have had up to 5 in my 90 and they all hang out in the top 1/3 of the column together like a flock of birds. One leader sets the direction and path it seems, and they all sleep and retreat to the same hole under a rock in the sand. Plus the cool thing is you can add to the bunch over time, you don't have to put them all in at the same time IME. Be carful though they are active jumpers.
Paul B
Premium Member
They are cool fish ( I may pick up a few more today, they are real cheap)
There are also 3 red stripe cardinals in there that school with them. I don't have a picture of them but they are nicer looking and also under $10.00.
You can see three of the glass cardinals in this short video (with the pumps off)
There are also 3 red stripe cardinals in there that school with them. I don't have a picture of them but they are nicer looking and also under $10.00.
You can see three of the glass cardinals in this short video (with the pumps off)
