School of fish for aquariums: what are they, which are the best? (2023)

If you're looking for activity and movement in your aquarium, it's hard to deny the allure of a school of fish moving fluidly through the water.

The terms "bank" and "bank" are often used (often interchangeably) to refer to "a group of fish".

However, if you're looking to add schools of fish to your aquarium, you need to know the definitions and behaviors that define those fish in order to get exactly what you want.

In this article we defineschool against school, provide general recommendations for encouraging behavior in a home aquarium, and list our favorite shoal species (plus some interesting shoal species to consider).

What are "school fish"?

Many fish species study at some point in their lives.. For example, fry or juveniles may stay together for protection, but are not allowed to group together as adults.

For young and adult fish, training provides security in numbers as well as multiple pairs of eyes in search of predatory fish. It is also helpful to have many pairs of eyes when looking for food.

Then there is the hydrodynamic aspect of group swimming. Changing the line allows it to be pulled behind the fish in front, saving energy when swimming alone.

Finally, let's not forget that a large group makes it more likely that a fish will find a mate and reproduce. Similarly, for species that shed eggs, a large swarm means better chances of fertilizing the eggs.

im Aquarium,Schools of fish are more colourful, healthier and calmer. School behavior also helpspillow or dispel any aggressive behaviorwithin the school and for other species in the tank.

Fish are kept in schools of sufficient sizeless stressed and more active.

True schools show the behavior throughout their life cycle.. ManyTetra-Typ, damage, chips etcdaniosas well as someCorydorasand loaches fall into this category.

Other types, likecardinals,Neonsalmler,Endler's lifeguard, mitiger feathers,only goes to school when threatened. The rest of the time they remain loosely grouped and scattered throughout the tank.

School versus crush

Usually onefishing schoolThey will face the same direction, they will move at the same speed, they will rotate together, they will combine into one, they will be of the same species, and generally they will have a purpose (i.e., to move find somewhere or food).

fish bank, on the other hand, do not always group together. If so, the groups are loosely organized. These fish prefer the "tight" comfort of other fish. It can be of its own kind or a completely different kind.

A school of fish is held together by sight, pheromones, lateral line sense and even smell.

Each fish tries to maintain the same distance and orientation from its neighbor as it moves. When the shoal is dormant, it becomes a shoal, keeping the fish close by.

Tank editions to promote school education.

Aside from natural behavior, the most important aspect of promoting parenting is the environment in which you place your fish.

water parameters

Always maintain the correct water parameters for the species you choose.

Remember that fish kept at the extreme limit of tolerance are constantly in a state of stress! This stress can lead to aggression and disrupt school behavior. Not to mention that stress makes your fish susceptible to infection and disease.

Inventory numbers and tank size

Schools of fish require a sufficient number of native fish to form a "shoal". This number varies by species; However, most require about six copies.

Follow the advice of your breeder, store, and other reputable school size sources to encourage the healthiest behaviors in your fish.

Some fish get stressed if they are kept in schools that are too small. Others learn for a specific purpose, such as B. spawning, and feel comfortable in a smaller group. Still others do well in a small group as long as there are other similarly sized fish in their location.

Keeping fish in a tank that is too small can affect their ability to train properlyPay attention to the recommended tank sizes.

Most recommendations take into account the need for a school and are intended for a single species aquarium. If you add other species or a larger school, you will need to enlarge your tank accordingly.

tankmates

It's important to research the temperaments and behaviors of the species you plan to mate with in a community aquarium.

Species that can be perfectly peaceful in their own right can create stress when they are hyperactive, noisy, territorial, or occupy the same levels of the water column. Compatible tankmates encourage healthy parenting.

Recommended schooling fish

The following are our top picks for excellent breeds:

Rotnasensalmlerthey areone of the strictest forms of educationin a domestic tank environment.

Although they disband when they are comfortable with their surroundings, they often reunite, swimming from one end of the tank to the other, or congregating in one place.

Their silver bodies and bright red heads look great when they're at school. Plan to keep at least six of these 1 inch long fish in a large enough tank.

These active fish prefer the middle levels of the water column and need plenty of swimming space.

This peaceful fish from the Congo Basin reaches an adult size of 6.4 to 9 cm.

You need a party of six to be comfortable, and they aretend to be intimidated by other fin-sipping species.

Congo Hymns they are shyand benefit from the inclusion offloating plantsand vegetation in your tank. They hide in these areas when they feel threatened.

These fish prefer medium to high water levels and get along well with other schooling species, particularly those that frequent medium to low areas.

At a small adult height of 0.6-0.8 inch (1.5-2 cm),male tetrasthey are oneexcellent option for a hobbyist with limited tank space.

A pod of these little ones creates a soft, bright orange wavy fabric. Keep at least six to eight fish. They will breed both with their own kind and with other small tetras.

Ember tetras need very little food. Be careful not to overfeed these fish as they can be prone to impaction. Don't mix these fish with larger species they might consider food.

a school oftetras de diamanteIt sparkles like its namesake gemstone in the sun. They reach an adult length of between 5 and 6 cm (2 to 2.4 in) and have a hardy nature that makes them perfect for beginning aquarists.

they arepeaceful, still active, and they need plenty of space to swim surrounded by live plants. Keep them in odd-numbered groups (3, 5, 7, etc.).

While they get along well with other species in a community tank, avoid larger or overly aggressive fish.

schwarze RocksalmlerThey have a glossy black/grey color and uniquely shaped fins.Three inches (7.6 cm)in length is the longest they will get so tank size is reasonable.

These fish occupy the middle tiers of the tank. Plan for some tall plants for them to swim in.

They learn well, even if you see one or the other exploring on their own from time to time. Five fish is the minimum school size.

Other tankmates are fine as long as they don't have floating fins that tempt Blackcoats to nibble.

ÖSanguijuela TetraSchools near the top of the tank. Install a tight-fitting aquarium lid to keep them from jumping out when startled.

They are active, resilient andtolerate colder water temperaturesthan other tetra species. As such, they are a great option for those new to aquaristics.

Keep this 5 cm long fish in a group of at least six animals. With this group size, the activity is limited to the school.

Smaller groups lead to more aggression as your tetras snap at slow-swimming or long-finned fish.

ÖGlass WelshShe's sure to turn heads with her fully see-through 3" body that reveals her spine, bones and organs.

these fish areactive during the day, group together to feed and remain perfectly aligned in the current. Line your tank with lush vegetation to create safe areas.

Although they are brave during feeding times, making sure your glass catfish has the right food can be difficult. If your catfish is housed with more aggressive fish, they can easily be outnumbered when it comes to resources.

Cute and small, othersThey are prized for their peaceful nature and ability to eat seaweed.

Heu 22OtocinclusSpecies ranging in size from just under 2.4 cm to just over 5.5 cm. These fish prefer the bottom of the aquarium, so a soft bottom is required.

Keep these fish in a school of at least four to six individuals. Armed and swimming fast when necessary, otos can live happily with many other species.

In addition tostartedand biofilm, they need a supplement of zucchini waffles or seaweed to be healthy.

Harlequin daniosThey look amazing in a school with their pink/orange coloring and contrasting dark triangle shape near the tail.

Their tank size requirements have been smaller ever sincereach only 5 cmMature.

You need a group of eight to ten fish to display their most active behavior.Larger groups in larger tanks get even better! Harlequin rasbora will team up and explore the pool.

You can add these schools to community tanks, just make sure the other residents aren't too big or aggressive.

Put a large group of small 1.8cm chillies in a tank and you will have an impressive display. The fiery red body color is accented by an even lighter red band on a darker black.

These fish needblack water tankwith stable water conditions, many plants and little running water.

Chili Rasboras Stand on the top half of the aquarium, where they clump together and swim together.

They need small foods and do well with similar sized fish or occupy the lower tiers of the tank.

Scissor-tailed Rasboras have a deeply forked tail that they can manipulate in a manner similar to scissors.

They inhabit the middle and upper levels of the pool, where they learn and swim intensively.

Give these 15cm fish a long tank with soft lighting to make them feel comfortable.

Keep Scissortails in a group of six or more for best behavior and coloring. While this peaceful fish gets along well with other tankmates, make sure any other fish you add favor it too.Ö acidic waterspreferred for scissor tails.

The cherry chipper's head, body, fins and even its eyes are a bright, beautiful red.

These hardy fish do not exceed 2 inches in size and tolerate a wide range of water conditions. They feel more comfortable in a tank full of plants andfloating vegetation.

KirschchipsSchool in the intermediate zones of the tank.

A group of six witha higher ratio of women to menit is better to prevent them from hiding out of shyness. If you have a large enough group you can see them split into smaller schools of one male with several females.

if you are looking for oneschools of cold-water fish, consider thewhite cloudfish. The "poor man's neon tetra" is small, ranging from an inch to 1.5 inches long, and for a reasonable price you can get a school of six.

Their brown/tan bodies have a horizontal stripe ending in a black dot.

These active fish explore and feed in groups. Outside the breeding season they are peaceful and suitable for community tanks.

When choosing aquarium mates, consider small fish that also need cooler water.

For larger aquariums is thecolorful clown loachit's a fantastic addition. Don't underestimate the eventual size of these fish as the fluffy 5cm goldfish you buy will continuously grow to around 5cm12 inches (30 cm)like an adult

A well planted tank with plenty of hiding places and low lighting is necessary to care for oneGroup of five clown loaches. When these fish are together, they interact playfully and exhibit assertive demeanor.

the clown loaches arenot territorial,peaceful,and stick to the lower levels of the tank.

These colorful danios are striped and spotted, as their namesakes suggest.

At around 5cm in length, these fish tolerate an impressive variety of water conditions but prefer cold water. They can even be kept in outdoor ponds.

danios zebrathrive in a community environment. Plan for a school of at least five animals, as fewer numbers can lead to aggression such as fin-clipping. The Danios will establish a hierarchy within the school.

They are very active and explore and do all areas of the tankexcellent trembling fishfor more nervous types.

The energetic Coral Penfish needs a decent amount of swimming space. A long tank with a large open area, dark substrate and low lighting is the best representation.

Combine them with other species that are not large, overly aggressive, or intolerant of pencilfish.

Keep your pencilfish in a school of at least 10 fish to spread male aggression. These fish move in tight groups and their bright red color is fabulous.

they areEffective blur fishfor shy bottom dwellers that provide a visual indication that the tank is safe.

other interesting fish

These fish don't necessarily learn, but they do love the company of more of their kind and tend to hang out in groups.

The dwarf corydora is a tiny fish. Females reach 2.5 cm in length, while males barely reach three quarters (1.9 cm).

You have a tight tolerance for water conditions, so you need to keep tank maintenance in mind.

This species is more of a schooling fish than a schooling fish. A group of six people is the minimum number to show pleasant behavior; however, twice as many is even better.

These fish have unique eating habits that are fun to watch. When someone goes to a new place to feed, everyone follows in a tight group.

You'll fall in love with the speckled blue eye's intricate fins, including its speckled semi-transparent double dorsal fins.

Another schooling fish, the spotted blueeye, reaches 3 to 3.8 cm (1.2 to 1.4 in) and requires a large group of eight to 10 fish.

They mix best with other small species and are very shy at first. Over time, they become comfortable in their surroundings and begin to form schools.

Creating some hiding spots and adding vegetation encourages trusting behavior. Also consider floating plants, subdued lighting and a dark substrate.

With an orange belly and a deep blue point with white "stars".Celestial Pearl Daniomimics the twilight sky.

These tiny fish are only 2 to 2.2 cm long. They are hardy, easy to feed andadaptable to a variety of water conditions.

Celestial Pearl Danios thrive in a minimum group of six, with more females than males.

As the females congregate, the males of this species fight for dominance. Keep a well-planted tank to allow weaker males to take refuge in vegetation.

This 5 cm long fish is a very active freshwater species that needs plenty of swimming space and a moderate current.

Its beak grows fast and sharprequires regular feeding of hard-shelled foods.

They are a non-territorial species but can bite the fins of slower-swimming fish. While the Amazonian pufferfish is definitely not a shoal or shoal, it does prefer to be around others of its kind.

Keep a small group of six or more peaceful fish of similar size and they will live harmoniously in a community tank.

final considerations

Where one fish is beautiful, many are impressive! Schools of fish are certainly an attractive addition to any home aquarium.

Maintaining proper conditions for training conduct includes proper tank setup and maintenance, adherence to recommended training sizes, and placement with compatible tankmates.

Follow these recommendations and your aquarium will benefit from the activity and exercise that schooling fish provide!

Join the conversation! What are your favorite types of schools? What other species do you combine them with for the ultimate community tank?