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philmin9
09-09-2010, 11:34 PM
I have two schools of fish in tank. 6 rasboras, who stick together as if their lives depended on it. And 5 flame tetras. The flames just tend to pick a spot in the tank and hold. They really don't school at all, which is what i was hoping for when i got them. My question is, would more flames induce schooling? Or are they just more of a loner fish than the rasboras are?
harpua2002
09-09-2010, 11:36 PM
With no perceived threat, chances are they won't really school regardless of number. What size is the tank? IME they seem to stick together more in a larger tank.
Pleco380
09-09-2010, 11:38 PM
Sometimes fish will school and sometimes they won't. If they aren't schooling that can be a good thing because it means they aren't scared to be away from the others. It depends on the tank size but you could probably get more flames if you want.
philmin9
09-09-2010, 11:42 PM
I have them in a 20 long. I think I'll just leave the numbers the way they are, I'm not trying to overcrowd my tanks. I think the two small schools will be enough. Its not that they seem afraid to swim, they are all over the tank, just not in a group. I'm going to go with the relaxed hypothesis until proven wrong. I have plenty of hiding spots and plants, so i think they are probably just calm.
Pleco380
09-09-2010, 11:45 PM
Yeah, don't add more. It seems like they are happy and aren't nervous which is why they are all over the tank.
philmin9
09-09-2010, 11:54 PM
The way it is right now I like the tank. which is why i asked about adding more because i really didn't want to, but i also didn't want to stress the flames. But if they aren't stressed I'm happy, because my tank looks great right now. After years of cleaning up after poop factory bluegill and johny darters, these guys are small, fast, colorful, and much less stressful.
Pleco380
09-09-2010, 11:57 PM
Good to hear that the tank is doing well.
Bretzz
09-10-2010, 12:45 AM
I have 6 Bloodfin Tetras which are supposed to be really good schoolers, but at most I see them in pairs. When I do a waterchange they will hover together in a corner, but after a few minutes they will be all over the tank.

I think if there were a few bigger fish they'd school together nicely, when I added two Swordtails they schooled together until they knew the newcomers weren't a threat, and they were back to the same old style.