Schoolers

[pangasiusfan]

What is the down-side of keeping a single schooling fish.
What I have in the list is tinfoil barb, silver dollar, bala shark, and clown loach but keeping 2 might pack them up...

Is it o.k. for me to keep just one? Or will they die from loneliness or always be shy or something?

 

[Atreyu]

in the wild, fish school to protect themselves from predators. in the aquarium schooling keepes fish feeling secure. keeping a "schooling" fish alone would make it stress out

 

[pangasiusfan]

thanks, can i keep schoolers in pairs then?

 

[importracer]

Pairs, best kept in three or more....WIth a group of schoolers, you would see there movements carried out more than just sitting around being a loner....This all comes from my own piranha experiences.....I also found that the colors on schooling fish are more vibrant when kept in well, a school....

 

[pangasiusfan]

so minimum 3 you say? 3 fish kinda makes it hard on the budget and tank size...is 2 that bad?

 

[Lupin]

3 silver dollars for a 55g is fine. The others would cramp the 55g and smaller.

 

[pangasiusfan]

where did 55gallon come from?lol

anyways i didn't ask how many fish i can fit in a __gallon tank.
what i asked was is it o.k. i i only keep 2 instead of 3 schoolers

 

[Lupin]

where did 55gallon come from?lol

Just making a statement. Nothing from you.

 

[Mystix212]

If you cannot keep a schooling fish with its natural buddies then why stress them out so much by keeping them alone/in a pair?

 

[piranhalova666]

yes, prolly best to keep them in 3 or more. but some species become more solitary when they get older and bigger. my id shark does fine in my tank everyone is afraid of him. lol