Schooling fish question

[bmacd]

We are starting are tank off with gold barbs and serpae tetras. I have researched and have found mixed feelings on how many fish of each I should have. Some places say 5 or more and other say 6 or more. Although, the majority do suggest 6. Just curious if I could get away with 5 of each, or does that extra fish really matter? Thanks very much.

P.S. I already know about the possible aggression incompatibility here, so we are just gonna try it out and see how it goes.

 

[Kuhlifan]

What size is the tank? That will be the determining factor. For schooling fish, six or more is usually better, but in very small tanks, five can feel like a larger number to them if there's no room to spread out.

 

[yhbae]

Its not exactly a clear black or white answer for questions like this. Both 5 and 6 will work in most cases but the question is, how happy will they be. More the merrier. If you can afford (cost and tank space) to get 6, you should get 6. Otherwise, 5 will be ok too. Some species also school nicer if you have more.

 

[ChrisK]

they've pretty much covered it above, depends on tank size.

 

[bmacd]

What size is the tank? That will be the determining factor. For schooling fish, six or more is usually better, but in very small tanks, five can feel like a larger number to them if there's no room to spread out.

29 gallon....planning on putting them with 6 other non schooling type fish, the largest being 2 to 2.5"

Thanks again!!

 

[customdrum]

yeah 6 of each to get to them to school, the more the better really.
with a 29g you can put 10 of each if you wanted. i have 25 ember tetras in a 29g and 14 brass tetras in another 29g, they school great.

 

[jpappy789]

I usually say 6 for a minimum...just an arbitrary number though, the more the better.

 

[LouRey]

Honestly I'd go for more than 5. I had 5 and they all killed each other until there were only 2 left that I finally had to give away. Mind you I only had a 10 gallon tank so that might be a contributing factor I don't know.

 

[Kuhlifan]

some fish will get mean to each other if the school is too small. I had a school of five neons in a five gallon. One died and the rest starting attacking each other. I bought a new one and things are much calmer now.

 

[Pudge]

some fish will get mean to each other if the school is too small. I had a school of five neons in a five gallon. One died and the rest starting attacking each other. I bought a new one and things are much calmer now.

I had a similar circumstance with Leopard Danios, I had 5 and I found lots of nipping marks on 2 of them, once I added the 6th one, I never saw anymore.