Zebra Danios Not Schooling

[Owen386]

Whats Up All


So I have 7 long fin zebra Danios in my 20 gal tank along with 1 Gold Gourami(I know) and 3 Khulli loaches Just wondering why my Danios dont really school but rather just all wander around by themselves, occasionally playing with one a another.

My assumption:

1. They are in a comfortable environment and have no real reason to be in a school.
2. There is simply not enough of them.

Any Experienced help would be muchly appreciated.

-Owen

 

[fluttermoth]

It's rare that fish school properly in a tank. Even if you add a larger fish they soon learn that it's no threat and stop schooling again.

I had to house an angel in my tetra's tank for a week or two recently and for the first few days they schooled beautifully, but it didn't last once they realised he couldn't actually eat them!

They might school a little better if you have more, but it doesn't make an awful lot of difference tbh; I've got 40 neon tetras in my tank and they don't school much at all; only if the door slams or something.

It's sad, but just one of those things we have to put up with I'm afraid!

 

[StandbySetting]

Technically they are schooling, schooling is where a population of fish stay within proximity but don't swim uniformly together.

As above there's nothing you can really do, they feel safe in their environment so that is why they're not shoaling.

 

[fluttermoth]

Technically they are schooling, schooling is where a population of fish stay within proximity but don't swim uniformly together.

As above there's nothing you can really do, they feel safe in their environment so that is why they're not shoaling.

Schooling is where the fish swim together in a co-ordinated way, all together.

Shoaling is where the fish stay in a loose group b8ut don't co-ordinate their movements.

These danios are shoaling, but they not schooling.

 

[StandbySetting]

Sorry, yes you are correct, I got the two mixed up.

 

[Owen386]

Sounds like they like there environment and I am doing a good job in making them feel comfortable, excellent. Guess I was just thinking that they naturally schooled together all the time because I was viewing them at the LFS which they are obviously not in a comfortable situation. Love being able to take them home with me! Guess that's why I'm already looking for another tank on craigslist. Also I am currently in a sticky situration(I think) with the Gold gourmai I put in there. Was trying to make a peaceful community Tank now it seems like I might have to go semi-aggresive or house the Gold gourami in a new tank. As I have read they get more aggressive with age and size and mine is currently only about 2" ! Any suggestions ideas of stocking for this tank. Currently 1 Gold gourami, 7 long finned zebra danios, 3 khulli loaches (20gal)
Thanks for all Advice as always!

-Owen

 

[fluttermoth]

Sorry, yes you are correct, I got the two mixed up.

No problem; I always remember it by thinking 'at school they make you all do things in one group'

 

[TCfishies]

Technically they are schooling, schooling is where a population of fish stay within proximity but don't swim uniformly together.

As above there's nothing you can really do, they feel safe in their environment so that is why they're not shoaling.

Schooling is where the fish swim together in a co-ordinated way, all together.

Shoaling is where the fish stay in a loose group b8ut don't co-ordinate their movements.

These danios are shoaling, but they not schooling.

My 5 zebra danios are the same. They don't really school but seem very interested in my 8 rummy nose tetras who do (if a bit loosely)