Is A Shoal Necessary?

[DAL32]

I realise schooling fish feel more comfortable within groups, but is it possible for species to live comfortably and in harmony when 2-3 each of a particular species are placed together in a tank? I have a 20 gallon tank; its length almost as long as its height (you could call this a high tank I guess). I'm contemplating stocking 10-12 fish (between 1-2 inches when fully grown) which could potentially leave me with 5 to 6 types of different fish.

Is this recommended, or not? Some might argue that one large shoal would be far more satisfying and uncluttered than several species, but I thought I'd pose the question anyway. While I'd like to keep numerous species in this tank, I'm more concerned about the well-being of the fish than anything. Cheers

If I should avoid this notion, my other alternative is two shoals of 6 (say, Neons and Black Neons (or) Silvertips) and a Honey or Dwarf Gourami. Perhaps a male Gourami, two females and one shoal of six Tetras?

 

[loachman]

I realise schooling fish feel more comfortable within groups, but is it possible for species to live comfortably and in harmony when 2-3 each of a particular species are placed together in a tank? I have a 20 gallon tank; its length almost as long as its height (you could call this a high tank I guess). I'm contemplating stocking 10-12 fish (between 1-2 inches when fully grown) which could potentially leave me with 5 to 6 types of different fish.

Is this recommended, or not? Some might argue that one large shoal would be far more satisfying and uncluttered than several species, but I thought I'd pose the question anyway. While I'd like to keep numerous species in this tank, I'm more concerned about the well-being of the fish than anything. Cheers

If I should avoid this notion, my other alternative is two shoals of 6 (say, Neons and Black Neons (or) Silvertips) and a Honey or Dwarf Gourami. Perhaps a male Gourami, two females and one shoal of six Tetras?

IMO, it really depends on the species what the minimum shoal size is. Most tetras seem to do much better in the larger groups of 6+. Some shoalers do okay in smaller groups of 3+. Rainbowfish are typically fine to mix all sorts of species in small individual numbers like you were asking about (you could have 2 bosemani, 2 turquoise, 2 praecox and they'd be happy together... although a 20 gal is too small for most of them)

 

[*Fishkies*]

I would try to get at least a shoal of no less then 4, of fish who like to shoal. I wouldn't do 2 or 3 because that isn't much to shoal with. We all would like variety in our tanks sometimes however sometimes it just won't work out for the size tank that one is looking at adding fish to. So I would say you could maybe get 3 different types of fish in your tank.

Good Luck!

 

[mark.w.jones]

Fish school or shoal for a number of reasons. For safety, better to have 50 pairs of eyes looking for predators than just one. Protecting terratory is easier in a bigger group. Finding food is easier as is spawning.

PFK says
Shoal: A very large group of fish moving together and behaving in a co-ordinated manner. A behaviour mainly observed by large numbers of wild fish such as anchovies for reasons such as protection, mating and feeding. a shoal may contain several schools of fish.
School: A large group of fish moving together and behaving in a co-oridinated manner usually of the same species.

Anyway, to answer your question at last fish who school in the wild should be kept in a school in your tank. 6 minimum in my opinion. Otherwise they will not feel as happy or secure and will live a generally less satisfying and anxious life.