schooling fish

probably a dumb question but why is it that when you buy fish such as barbs and tetras they always suggest a group of 4 or more if they just mind their own business anyway?
 
Actually, the mind their own bussiness was sort of something I said for filling up space :D What I really ment to say was that the group will be less tight when danger has passed.

Some fishes are to be kept in groups for they show the grouping behavior in nature. Maybe they feel more secure like that. Just like some kind of felines tend to have a lonely life some other form huge groups like lions.

Sorry for the misunderstanding. I will be more careful on my writings from now on.
 
no worries :D thanks for all the helpful information!
 
I think so, but probably not as tightly as danios or tetras. Also, as I learned from the earlier posts, schooling has alot to do with how threatened the fish feel
 
According to my books, mollies and swordtails, along with platies are not tight schoolers, even thought they are classified as peaceful and social.
This means thay can be kept in fairly large groups, provided you have enough room in your tank.

However, male swordtail might end up confronting each other. This can be avoided keepin mixed groups (males + females).

Also, remember mollies are a lot more supceptible to ich then other fish when kept in a totally freshwater aquarium.
 
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