Do the same but different tetras count as a school?

[fraggle]

Hi guys!
Just had a question as to whether different types of the same tetra will school? I have 4 blackskirt tetras and I read that they should be kept in no less than 10, I saw some goldskirt tetras and was wondering about getting some of them too, and wondered if I need to get 12 of them as well as another 8 of the blackskirts, or would 10-12 od a mix of both work? I read that danios don't have to be with the same type, that they all school together, zebras, leopards, pearls etc, and wondered if the toher tetras did the same. I also have 4 serpae tetras, and thought they probably do better in a bigger school too, but wondered about the longfinned variety, if they will school with them?
Sorry this was so longwinded, could have been a lot shorter! I just talk too much I think!

Cheers!

[blu]

If they are the pretty much the same shape and size as the black skirts they may school together but its not a garantee. It would be best to just get a bigger school of one type(you will need a minimum of 6 for school)..so you could have more than one type as long as you have room for both schools.

[fraggle]

Thanks for that blu, I'm sure they are the same fish, just a gold coloured one, will give it a shot and see how it goes!

Cheers!

[Lady Hobbs]

A school is considered one large group of one species. Others may swim with them but not part of the school.

[fraggle]

Thanks Lady, when I think about it, I spose that is the correct definition! I'll try a few more of each, blu said bigger schools are better and I've read on other threads that large schools looks better than lots of little ones, I haven't had any "schools" before haven't had more that 4 of the same fish, so might go the bigger option, see how it goes.
Thanks!

[Lady Hobbs]

I have 19 black skirts. They are awesome swimming in large groups. I think all fish are.

[Nautilus29]

I feel the same as you hobbs I bought 11 corys for my 55g tank and they look awesome!

fraggle
sometimes what we want isnt always best for the fish. If we could we would all want to put everyfish into our tanks but we know we cant do that. I would think It would be better for you to just buy one type of schooling fish and stick to them. your fish will be more active and happier. with 2 different schools of fish they will get in each others way and you will only beable to fit 2 small schools in the tank.

Dont worry we all do the same thing....welll maybe I could fit this fish in here or maybe I could do this. but you just have to look at whats better for the fish.

[lasm]

White skirt, gold skirt and black skirt tetras are the same. They just have different colors. They should school together. They will just don't look as nice as all of them were the same color.

I do have neon and glo-lite tetras, they are pretty similar and school together.

[Lady Hobbs]

It doesn't work. They are smart enough to know the others are different. My white skirts were dogs and were constantly chasing my black skirts. They had nothing to do with one another.

My whites swam alone, my blacks swim alone, my neons swim alone, my black neons don't mix with the blue neons and my gold tetra's also swim alone.

[fraggle]

Thanks for that guys, I think I'll stick with the black skirts, forget the gold ones. I saw a pic of yours lady in another thread or somewhere, they look awesome! I'll bump up their numbers without adding some mutants :c3: !
I do have the problem nautilus though of being given the fish, not buying them so didn't have the luxury of picking how many of what kind. I've got 4 black skirts, 4 serape, 2 rummy noses (did have 6 of them and 6 neons until the tandanus had a snack! He's now in another tank) and 2 red eyes (only got those last week, my mother in law got guppies and decided she didn't want these anymore and rocked up on my doorstep with them in a cup saying hey I brought you these coz I don't want them!). It's a 55G, how many can I put in do you think? I do 40-50% water changes 1-2 times a week, that's just because I do the Oscar tank then and they are next to each other, so do this one as well.

[FDMedic]

Hi guys!
Just had a question as to whether different types of the same tetra will school? I have 4 blackskirt tetras and I read that they should be kept in no less than 10, I saw some goldskirt tetras and was wondering about getting some of them too, and wondered if I need to get 12 of them as well as another 8 of the blackskirts, or would 10-12 od a mix of both work? I read that danios don't have to be with the same type, that they all school together, zebras, leopards, pearls etc, and wondered if the toher tetras did the same. I also have 4 serpae tetras, and thought they probably do better in a bigger school too, but wondered about the longfinned variety, if they will school with them?
Sorry this was so longwinded, could have been a lot shorter! I just talk too much I think!

Cheers!

Sorry I am late in responding, from your last post it looks like your set.

I had 5 Blackskirt Tetras...and recently was stocking my 55... I was going to get another variety of Tetras...in hopes they would school with the Blackskirt's... once I saw Lady Hobbs schooling Blackskirts... SOLD.
I opted to add 5 more Blackskirts for a total of 10... I just picked up the Longfin Variety.
They are all pretty much together in a school all the time.
In addition I added 7 White Tip Tetras...and they have nothing to do with the Blackskirts... they only get together when fed.

[fraggle]

Thanks for that Medic,yup decided on just getting more black skirts. Think they'll look good!

Cheers

[Bobo the Clown Loach]

While shopping at the lfs, I noticed that tetras kept in the same tank will school together. I purchased 3 lemon and 3 silver tips, they were all in the same tank and they school nicely in my tank. I introduced 3 additional silver tips and they joined right into the previous school of silver tips and lemons. I am going to try this again when my lfs finally gets a new supplier, they don't have anything right now. I think I am going to try with diamond tetras and cave tetras as they are kept in the same tank at the shop. If I get around to trying it, I'll let you know.

[fraggle]

Thanks for that Bobo!