Ideas for a good schooling fish?

R

ringram

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Jan 4, 2005
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Hi everyone. I'm looking for suggestion on attractive, schooling fish for my 20g planted tank that was just setup. The size of the fish should be on the small side(1-2"). I was originally thinking neons or cardinals, but they don't school together much from what I remember. I was also thinking about Harlequin Rasboras or zebra danios(fast & tight schooling). Does anyone have other suggestions? I'll probably pick up around 10 of whatever I get. So far the only inhabitants are:
1 - SAE
3 - corydorus julii
3 - otocinclus

I'll more fish as soon as the tank has settled a little. This may be too general of a question for people to answer, but maybe just give me some ideas of good *schooling* fish and I can do more research on those types. Thanks in advance.
-Ryan
 
I think the harlequin Rasboras are an excellent choice, they are one of my favorite schooling fish. I have also had gold tetras that seemed to school a lot tighter then I would have thought. Glowlights are nice tetras, but they don't swim in a very unified way. I have 12 right now and they still don't school together (but I don't mind).
I have heard Rummy-Nose tetras are great schoolers and their beautiful as well.
Of course the more you have the better they school...
 
Pygmy cories. They are more of a mid-water fish than regular gories, school very well, and are great in planted tanks. Instead of seeing fish hanging together in the open areas, you get them all grouped together on a plant, or swirling around in a tight pack.
 
I agree rummynose are great. I have 6 cardinals and they hang out near each other but not quite schooling...they are strikingingly beautiful fish though. The best schoolers I have are glass catfish...they are awsome...so chilled out and swim beautifully with each other. They can get large (3 to 4 inches)...although that will take a looong time....If you do get glass catfish though get at least 4 and keep in mind they are difficult to acclimate. Mine went for like a week before they even started eating....
 
I enjoy watching a school of Tiger Barbs partol the tank like a pack of wolves. The problem though with mine seem to have become comfortable with their surroundings so don't find the need to school much anymore. Well unless if they are hungry, which is almost all the time with these guys.
 
hmm thanks for the advice. I'll probably end up getting the harlequins or rummy nosed --- zebras may be a bit too spastic. I like the idea of the pigmy cories, I'll look into that also.
Glass catfish....I remember having one of those in a 100g tank my dad had years ago(probably 20). I just remember we only had 1 and it hid under some wood we had in there and we basically never saw it again. I guess they feel more secure in shoals. lol.
 
bioman438 said:
I enjoy watching a school of Tiger Barbs partol the tank like a pack of wolves. The problem though with mine seem to have become comfortable with their surroundings so don't find the need to school much anymore. Well unless if they are hungry, which is almost all the time with these guys.
Click to expand...

I've thought about tiger barbs and have always thought they look really pretty, but don't they nip fins? In fact, I know they do, but not sure to what degree when they're in shoals. Also, I've seen them at the LFS and some of them are fairly large (3" or so). I imagine it takes a while to get like that though.
 
I back up the harquin rasbora suggestions. Great fish, and great schoolers.
 
Yeah Glass Catfish MUST be in a group otherwise they tend to sicken and die. Awesome, very peaceful schoaling fish though.....one of my favorites in my tank
 
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