Fish Suggestions

[Captain Hook]

Well in my girlfriend's tank there are 4 cardinals that are always scattered all over the place. They never seem to school, although they might when the angelfish gets a little bigger. She has also has harlequin that do school but I don't like them that much, they are ok but not great.

What are in with your cardinals? That could be why they school.

 

[aquariumfishguy]

Hook, you started to touch on an important point with schooling fish. They tend to school when they feel threatened or when they feel insecure. This doesnt nessessarly mean they are unhappy or unsatisfied with their home if they are schooling, but its something to think about.

On the other hand, one of the reasons your g/f's Cardinals didn't school is (more than likely) because there was only 4 of them. Many times, it takes 12-14+ to create a school of fish....and in some cases, with certain species, 50+!

 

[Captain Hook]

Hmm, good point aquariumfishguy. Maybe I should get her 2 or 3 more. Her cardinals are always at the bottom and scattered.

I'm afraid if I buy cardinals now they will be eaten. All the ones for sale are always so small. The angelfish isn't that big yet but I'm sure it will be soon.

 

[valerie]

My cardinals are in my 15g planted tank with a male ram and some shrimp. Nothing that would scare them into schooling.

 

[177ichael]

I've got 2 Angels in with my Cardinals right now. Originally, one of my Angels was a bit bigger and more aggressive. He went back to the store and was exchanged for a smaller and more mellow Marble Angel. I noticed that my Cardinals schooled much tighter with the larger and more aggressive Angel. Now, they seem to be more relaxed and will venture off indvidually in search of food. However, they still maintain a tight school for example when my lights go off, or one of my Gouramis gets excited and starts swimming sporadically around the tank.

Michael

My Tank

 

[VictorSmalls]

how about a few dwarf gouramis, maybe of the flame or powder blue varity?

 

[Captain Hook]

Yes I was planning on getting either one regular dwarf or one powder blue for sure. Right now I have:

Aph. Australe Orange (killifish) pair (1 male & 1 female)
Endler's Livebearers (2 male, 2 female & 3 babies)

I want to add a dwarf gourami and a small school (about 5) of a nice colourful fish.