Adding schooling fish at different times

[zackish]

I am looking to put cardinal tetras in my tank but I can't get all of them at once because I had to wait nearly a week before I could put them in so I am sure some of my bacteria has died off. I have 2 gouramis and 2 oto cats in there right now and my levels are still perfect.

I plan to have about 14 or so cardinal tetras and I am going to buy 7 on wedsnday.
My question is, when I go to add another 7 or so in a few weeks from now will they all school together or will they stay as 2 seperate schools?

[Lady Hobbs]

Like fish will just join the pack with no problem.

[Incredulous_Ed]

However, I read it is better to add schooling fish at the same time. Too bad I can't remember the reason :/.

[RobbieG]

Mine have always just joined right in

What Incredulous_Ed said tickles my remember button though...

Darned if I know why - must Google! Information is missing!

[Mdsuave13]

I added 3 clown loaches to my single clown loach after i read that they like to be in groups of 3 or more... No problems, they all swim around like they've been together forever.

[Rue]

With my neons...I just used to add to the school whenever the numbers went down over time...the new ones just joined in with the old ones...never say any sign of aggression...

[zackish]

However, I read it is better to add schooling fish at the same time. Too bad I can't remember the reason :/.

I believe you and that would seem better to me but on the other hand, when you get them at the store and then seperate them into bags or 2-3 each, when they get home they are going to be as dissoriented as any other fish would be and won't know the difference.

[Zerileous]

However, I read it is better to add schooling fish at the same time. Too bad I can't remember the reason :/.

yeah, i read that too. maybe in the ebook?

however, i have also seen plenty of empirical evidence here that it works out just fine, so you will probably be ok.

[Incredulous_Ed]

Yeah, I'm guessing you would be fine adding them at different times.

[xoolooxunny]

cardinals like low ph, remember. around 6.0, lower if you plan to breed.

I too have never had any problem adding schooling fish together over the course of time, in fact i'll go as far as to say it makes them happier!

[zackish]

[QUOTE=xoolooxunny]cardinals like low ph, remember. around 6.0, lower if you plan to breed.

I have heard of plenty of instances where people kept them up in the 7's. As long as I slow acclimate them I'm sure I will be fine. I have all afternoon and night on friday which is when I plan to add them.

[salman]

They will be a big happy school eventually. But, when you first put them.. Your aquarium will look like a mess. a group will be in the bottom and a group will be on the surface.. After a bit of time, like a week they will get together. Then they will will school at the bottom to the middle. Atleast thats what happend to mine.

[zackish]

They will be a big happy school eventually. But, when you first put them.. Your aquarium will look like a mess. a group will be in the bottom and a group will be on the surface.. After a bit of time, like a week they will get together. Then they will will school at the bottom to the middle. Atleast thats what happend to mine.

That's what I read as well and thats good. My dwarf gouramis are taking up most of the top area all the time so it should work out good.
What is your experience with feeding cardinals? Do they go right to the top to scavenge?

[MeganL3985]

There was one little neon in a tank of all snails at petsmart last week, I felt bad for the little guy so I bought him and put him in the tank with my other neons. He's doing just fine with the others.