Looking for a hardy schooling fish.

[jrse7en]

Not a blue-green chromis. I have had at least 25 of these over the span of a year and a half and they simply don't last. They do well for a couple days and then they die off in a domino effect, reliably. I'd like to keep something in a group of about 5 fish. Is there any species out there I could do this will who will live much longer than the blue green chromis?

 

[mr. limpid]

I to tried chromis, to find out later after I lost a dozen of them that they are a member of the damsel family and wil kill each other off one by one. Try Anthmas or Cardinals, I personal wanted to do Banner Buterflies but don't have a large enough tank to house nothing but.

 

[jrse7en]

I think I will try some banggai cardinals. What is a good amount to have?

 

[1guydude]

the blue green chromis are very hardy and meant to be kept in odd numbers, as they do form a pecking/eating order obviously the alpha being the biggest. You can keep as many bangiis as your tank can hold lol. I dont have any but was looking into them. They were a little to boring for me, i mean they just swim in one spot and hover their. Provide overhangs and cliff area.

 

[al&burke]

Now I have read here different about Bangaii Cardinals they can't be kept with more than two - the dominant male will take out the others once it pairs off, I think Florida Joe and BTLD Reef can help you here. I have a pair and i really like them - luckily I have a male female pair, and they have spawned but not successfully. Wait to see what the others say before you go out and buy 3 or 5 Bangaii Cardinals. JMHO

 

[btldreef]

Bangaiis are semi aggressive and usually can't be kept as "schooling fish" unless in a large tank. They do much better as pairs.
Pajama cardinals are more likely to give you the "schooling" effect. I have 3 and the stuck together as juveniles, but now two have paired together and pick on the third from time to time.
What size tank do you have? What fish are currently housed in it?

 

[btldreef]

From Reef Aquarium Fishes by Scott W. Michael:
"It is risky to keep these fish in groups in captivity, unless you have a large aquarium (100 gallons [380L] or more). Although they may behave peacefully toward one another when first introduced, one fish or a pair will often start chasing and nipping their conspecific tankmates."

 

[1guydude]

so sounds like they pair up than go after the other pairs or single weaklings...ive never seen any hostilitly out of em at the LFS though???hmm must be aggresive when they settle.
i agree on the pajama cardinals, not as pretty but prob the safer pick depending on the size of ur tank!

 

[jrse7en]

Its a 55g tank and I have 5 fish in it. I will probably stay away from the group effect and go with 1 nice colorful fish instead, or put up with some more damsels.

 

[gemmy]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jrse7en http:///forum/thread/385153/looking-for-a-hardy-schooling-fish#post_3376834
Its a 55g tank and I have 5 fish in it. I will probably stay away from the group effect and go with 1 nice colorful fish instead, or put up with some more damsels.
Probably a wise idea.

 

[deejeff442]

my lfs has anthias in their dt .its a full sps reef .fricken beautiful.bartlett's looks like about 6 or 7 of them in there.very nice .

 

[btldreef]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jrse7en http:///forum/thread/385153/looking-for-a-hardy-schooling-fish#post_3376834
Its a 55g tank and I have 5 fish in it. I will probably stay away from the group effect and go with 1 nice colorful fish instead, or put up with some more damsels.
Depending on the fish you already have, you may very well be too packed to have a schooling group. More damsels is going to equal more aggression and ultimately less fish.