best small schooling fish

**miach** · 09-15-2010, 05:28 PM

i have a nano tank 36g i was wondering what are my possibilities of even having some schooling fish. if it is possible what are they best kinds ive heard chromis. i already have two gold stripe maroon clowns ( they are still juvenile). so im thinking my tank will be maxed out with 3 to 4 more small fish. thanks

Mitch

**Cliff** · 09-16-2010, 08:53 PM

For a 36 gallon tank, you could be limited based on the size left in your tank depending on the amount of rock you have. Either way, a 36 gallon really doesn’t leave a whole lot of empty space in the tank for a group of fish to school in.

I don’t have my SW tank set-up yet (so I have no real first hand experience), but from what I’ve researched you could look into green chromis or Kaudern’s Cardinal. They both only get around 3” in size and can also be good reef fish. You could also look into scissor tail gobies but they might get too big at around 5” in size.

Once again, only based on what I’ve researched

I hope I’ve helped

**ILuvMyGoldBarb** · 09-17-2010, 03:20 AM

With 2 Gold Stripe Maroons, you are already maxed out. Maroon clowns are the second largest clowns available in the hobby. Those 2 fish alone will max out at about 5". Besides that, they are also arguably the most aggressive clowns available as well. Chances are, they won't let you add anything to that tank. Trust me, a guy in my club lost a 5 rather expensive fish to a GSM Clown.

Another thing to keep in mind is that many people get enamored with the sight of schooling fish darting hear and there in a marine setting. Unfortunately that sight and behavior will not be recreated in the small confines of your home aquarium. While Chromis are a schooling fish, they tend not to really school as well in tanks, especially ones as small as yours. If you hope to see schooling marine fish, you may want to consider an upgrade to nothing less than a 75gal or even a 125 for a a better chance.

**miach** · 09-17-2010, 03:21 AM

cheers. im thinking that i might have to wait to get a bigger tank but i did see that blue green chromis would do alright in a 30g min decisions decisions.

**ILuvMyGoldBarb** · 09-17-2010, 03:25 AM

They will do alright, but they won't school. Again, though, the biggest challenge you will face with any fish you put in there is those clowns. They are likely to attack and kill just about anything added to that tank. My friends GSM was only 3" long when it killed his 6" Powder Blue Tang along with the other 4 fish.

**miach** · 09-17-2010, 03:39 AM

your definitely right. the clowns are now starting to get along but the female gave the male hell for at least a week. the male has done his little submissive shake and they were in the same cave when i came home from work i think they are gonna be a pair. hopefully. and thanks for your input it definitely changed my mind.

**ILuvMyGoldBarb** · 09-17-2010, 09:56 PM

When you get 2 young clowns, they will always become a pair. Even though the Maroons are the odd fish out in among Clowns by belonging to the Premnas genus, like their cousins in the Amphiprion genus, they are still protandrous hermaphrodites.

**miach** · 09-18-2010, 05:05 AM

cool thanks for the info im definitely glad to hear that. every day they are getting more friendly im excited.

**rageybug** · 09-20-2010, 03:05 AM

Listen to ILMGB on this because he is bang on. Those clowns will eventually outgrow your tank and chromis won't school in such a small tank. They would probably need 100g+ to 'school' the way you want. If you were to sell your clowns, you would have more options for your tank... otherwise, look for a bigger tank.

**miach** · 09-20-2010, 08:03 AM

cheers. i wish i can say i could sell them but ive grown really attached to my clowns. thanks for changing my mind tho i think im gonna keep the clowns and look for a carpet anemone or more then likely a bubble tip ive heard and read from many sources that they are way easier and better for my other occupants when i can finally upgrade and get more fish.