School those tetras

B

bobandfiona

AC Members
Dec 13, 2005
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Dallas, TX
So, thanks to many for the great advice on my tetra bullies - I just put in tow of each kind that had a single so now I have 3 red phantoms and 3 red-eyes with my neon blue gourami and it was soooo fun to watch!

I was very amazed at how they immediately separated ends of the tank and went to their same species.

So, here's the question of the day - for those who like to ponder -
How does a fish know what they look like to immediately find another fish who looks like them to school? :rolleyes: I am guessing its inherent and almost a built in knowledge completely unconcious. (not that fish are conscious creatures, but I have seen my betta do tricks just because he knew I was talking to him!)
 
No ponderers, huh? Was it such a dumb topic? Oh well.... :dive:
 
Instinct I guess. Although I have heard of different species of tetra that look very similar schooling together.
 
When i first introduced my green neon tetra (blue fish) one of them schooled with the existing school of boraras brigittae (red fish). I thought i will get 2 schools but now i have 1 large school of 6 green neon tetra and 6 boraras brigittae. Maybe as long as they have the same size and looks the same (not including color).
 
Sometimes I wonder what species I am....and so does everyone else for that matter. They wonder what species I am , too.

:OT:
:spam:
:duh:
:help:
:D
:huh:
 
yeah i guess its instincts. But they only reconize their own marks. Like Clown Loaches will school and fallow Tiger Barbs if you put them in the same tank.

-Q
 
Marks is a good point - I hadn't thought of their markings distinguishing them. I hear you, Slappy - I definitely wonder what species I belong to at times! Thanks for replying all - I thought it was an interesting thought! Sometimes its fun not to hear about fishies dying and just talk about light hearted fish stuff. :bday:
 
Hee Hee, that gave me a good laugh. I have thought that...my son lives on "Finding Nemo." I often watch the fish while he is watching his movie for the 3 millionth time and swear they seem to have little "pow wow's." I mean, if dogs can understand eachother's barks, cat's speak to eachother with meow's and growls, whales and dolphins have highly evolved speech methods...why can't our little tropicals?
 
ddayton21 said:
Instinct I guess. Although I have heard of different species of tetra that look very similar schooling together.
Click to expand...
My Bala, Pale Barb, and Tiger Barb schooled. now isn't that interesting.
 
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