Poll: Favorite Shoaling Fish

[dbl]

Although it's difficult if not impossible to get fish to actually school in an aquarium (unless it is very, very large), some do tend to shoal to some degree. Thought it might be an interesting topic to discuss what your favorite shoaling fish is and what type of success have you had with them displaying the shoaling/grouping behavior.

Obviously the poll is not an all inclusive list so feel free to discuss a fish species you've had success with if not on the list.

 

[mta_morrow]

I have a trio of

Azure damsels
Zebra barred dartfish
Red lined cardinals.

I’m not so sure that they shoal, but there are times when they are all together, especially the dart fish.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Although I'm sure it would have to be a huge aquarium, I really enjoy watching a school of tangs

 

[pdiehm]

I have read that Barrier Reef Chromis are schooling fish in the aquarium, however they are incredibly difficult to come by.

 

[norfolkgarden]

Although I'm sure it would have to be a huge aquarium, I really enjoy watching a school of tangs

Yellow tangs all the time when I was stationed in Hawaii.

Was amazing.

 

[OriginalUserName]

I just ordered 6 chromis so hopefully those will be my favorite.

 

[madweazl]

I'm a sucker for anthias and firefish.

 

[pdiehm]

I'm a sucker for anthias and firefish.

i didn't think you could have a group of firefish? Now that I have an automatic feeder, I probably could get some anthias. any particular ones that will stay in groups?

 

[shrimped]

Voted for Anthias and firefish but Still waiting to see a group of Tryssogobius Collini to someday enter someone’s tank

 

[Vincent100]

Anthais , iv only got 5 but they all swim together , iv also got 9 Chromis in another tank that I'll take a pic of
Anthais are my favourite tho as Chromis erratic chasing of each other is not as calming on me lol

 

[dbl]

Voted for Anthias...

Me too...I put three small Ignitus Anthias in my 120 about three months ago and so far they never leave each others side. Only time will tell if stays that way but one can sure hope!

 

[PDR]

I really like the contrast of chromis and anthias together. I voted for chromis since I have had better luck keeping them alive long-term.

 

[smartwater101]

Every group of chromis I've ever seen grows up to murder their own crew.


Tangs will explore alongside each other but that's only from time to time.

Anthias and firefish are the only fish I've seen actually stick together.

 

[kangadrew]

Voted other. One of, if not my favorite, sight I've seen in a reef tank was a school of 9 moorish idols.
Seeing one healthy one is impressive, 9 is crazy!
It was on another site, so I won't post a link.

Drew

 

[D-Nak]

Blue eyed cardinals look pretty sweet hanging out together, especially when you have more than 6.

Trick to get fish to shoal: throw in a predator, or what they perceive to be a threat, like a blue throat trigger.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Cant beat the Anthias group. I have 4 different types. They squabble, yes but not continuous. They can be shy but eager feeders. I also have a 6 pack of firefish. Also a peaceful group. Very shy and always present at feeding.

 

[Rcpilot]

I like the Vanderbilt chromis, but never had one. I'd love to put 5 or 7 in my new 180. They're damsels though, and most people say chromis fight until there's only one left. I'd hate to see that happen, so will probably get just the one.

 

[Bayareareefer18]

What size tank is needed to successfully keep a group of firefish?

 

[WilRams]

Gold Assessor Basslet

Meh on second thought they dont really shoal but hang around not minding each other.

 

[erk]

I like the Vanderbilt chromis, but never had one. I'd love to put 5 or 7 in my new 180. They're damsels though, and most people say chromis fight until there's only one left. I'd hate to see that happen, so will probably get just the one.

I find that if you keep chromis well fed, they won't pick each other off. But this can be difficult. Not sure why they are touted as a beginner fish. Probably some of the hardest fish to keep well fed and happy. Kind of like anthias, they are pelagic feeders and just hang in the water column waiting for particles to come by.