all time top 3

[mickey]

I am conducting a survey and i would be much oblidged if members of AC would be so kind and submit their top 3 shoaling fish and make a short comment on their choices.
EXAMPLE:1. Rummy noses, 2.Black Phantom tetras,
Tiger barbs.
Many thanks.

[ChilDawg]

1.) Cardinal Tetra (Paracheirodon axelrodi)
2.) Corydoras Catfish
3.) Otocinclus Catfish

I like Cories and Otos because of their utility, but also because they have their own range of unique and endearing behaviors.

I believe that nothing beats a planted tank with a large shoal of Cardinals swimming through tannin-stained water.

[RTR]

1. Debauwi catfish- very active swimmers, tight school even in species tanks, don't care for strong light.
2. Green-Eyed rasboras - small, active and tightly schoolong.
3. Rasbora heteromorpha - small, active, and tightly schooling, likes cover available.

Personally, I don't think Cardinals school all that well unless in very large numbers in very large tanks with lots of open space (= perceived threat).

[thom336]

1) neon tetras - ive just always had a liking for them.
2) corys catfish - isnt it obvious?
3) zebra danios - the way they swim as though they have just one mind.

however, my favourite fish of all time is the goldfish - but it didnt fit into the category of shoaling fish. :(

[OrionGirl]

1. Silvertip tetras
2. Kuhli loaches (not really schooling, but like cories they prefer a group)
2. Coral catfish. Truly amazing.

[TTman]

1. zebra danios - cheap, hardy & breeds easily: can't beat that
2. cory cats - cutie pies
3. swordtails - r they considered schooling fish?

[cubano]

1. Tinfoil Bard
2. Tiger Barb
3. Giant Danio

[valerie]

1:Columbian tetras: my favorite tetras,nice blue color with red fins
2: Cardinals- best color i have ever seen in a schooling fish
3: Botia striata: they are the cutest fish i have ever seen,very active during the day and always in a tight school.

[TKOS]

1. White Cloud Mountain Minnows
2. Corydoras Catfish
3. Silver Tip Tetras

[tricksterpup]

3. Zebra Danios
2. Koi
1. Oscars (yep, a buddy had a 150 and a small school of adult oscars in it)

I know my first 2 are not shoaling fish but the do school non the less.

[Iced Galaxy]

2)dojo loach (they will be happier with 2 or more)
1)CORYS(nice to watch)
3)Lemon Tetras

[somefinnfishy]

#1 congo tetras hands down my fav
#2neons/cardnials
#3 rummy nose

[Skittyfish]

1. Corydoras Pygmaeus (Pygmy Cory) they are so tiny and cute when they stick together.

2. Cardinal--really pretty in a planted tank

3. Serpae Tetras- Mine stick together and the color can't be beat.

[spottedcatfish]

1) Corydorus Panda - My third cory variety and the tightest schooling I've ever seen, they often do syncronized glass running, its fun to watch!

2) Penguin Tetras - Kind of surprised me, but even in a ten, these guys tend to at least hang out in a clump when the light is on, when the light's off they dive for high cover (I use a fake plant minus the base that floats).

3) Cardinals - One of my LFS's had a large planted tank with these guys in it, it was lovely.

[Doublette90]

1. Cardinal Tetras - Love the colours flowing through the tank together.

2. Sterbai Corys - I like to watch them play "follow the leader"

3. Zebra Danios - Always active and fun to watch.

[nvision]

1. RUMMY NOSE

- hatchetfish

- altums

[1 fish 2 fish]

I agree, Columbian tetra, is #1 for me, Love their color. Then cories, I like how they lounge around in groups. Number 3, harlequin rasboras, I like their colors.

[JohnMemorialHS]

1. Columbian Tetra
2. Cherry barbs
3. Black Phantom tetra

[mickey]

Those cories are sure proving to be a popular little fish,although i had never thought of them as a shoaling fish untill now.
Maybe i just never kept enough of them at the same time.
How many do you guys reckon should be kept in a shoal.

[ChilDawg]

Six makes for a good shoal, but as few as four will do.

[mickey]

Thanks. I think i will purchase 6 cories in the near future and see how they turn out.

[Skittyfish]

20 or 30 or even 40 of the Pygmy Cories make a great shoal. And they are so small that 30 is not a great bioload!