How many blue reef chromis to put in a 90 gallon tank for them to school?

jwavec · 05/22/2007, 08:52 PM

Not sure if that sentence even makes sense, but I think you get the jist. I have a 90 gallon tank and would like some suggestions on the number of chromis is a good idea for them to school together.

schoch79 · 05/22/2007, 08:54 PM

I saw one tank that had about 5, I think, that were schooling.

schoch79 · 05/22/2007, 08:55 PM

If I remember right though isn't it the chromis that are territorial and aggressive? If so it may cause a problem with other fish.

TonyOrlando · 05/22/2007, 09:04 PM

I have 3 that school together. I heard somewhere where you should have and odd number of them to shcool. As far as agressive, they are not, at least to my fish. I have a clown wrasse, orange anthias, naso tang, damsel, and a couple gobies. 5 would be fine in your tank, however that depends on the amount of other fish too. Hope this helps you!

Agu · 05/22/2007, 09:21 PM

Add as many as you can afford to lose. IME they harrass the weakest chromis to death, and there's always a weakest chromis.

zma21 · 05/22/2007, 09:26 PM

NO fish will school without a predator in the tank with them.

Sk8r · 05/22/2007, 09:29 PM

zma has a point: schooling is a protective response, and it happens mostly when they're scared, which is not a desirable full-time condition.

sjm817 · 05/22/2007, 09:30 PM

I had 6 in a 90G. I've moved them to the 180 and they do stay together in a school. FWIW, I've had the same 6 for almost 3 years now.

snuggle2me · 05/22/2007, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by zma21
NO fish will school without a predator in the tank with them.

Not so sure if this is true. Maybe i dont have normal chromis. I read in Scott W. Michael's book Marine Fishes that a shoal of six or more fish makes an interesting display. So i got six in my tank. I dont have any predator fish in my tank unless a lawnmower blenny that keeps to himself is considered a predator. Besides the blenny these are the only fish i do have in my tank and they school around in a group all day. occasionally one will stray and explore but always returns to the school. I so far havent seen any agressive to each other but i have only had them since feb. maybe they get meaner with age.

they are a cool fish to watch and are always on the move. They only stop to either beg for food or block me from looking at the corals in my tank. They huddle in front of where ever i have my face at.. dorky little things

05/22/2007, 08:52 PM	#1
jwavec Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Trussville, AL Posts: 105	How many blue reef chromis to put in a 90 gallon tank for them to school? Not sure if that sentence even makes sense, but I think you get the jist. I have a 90 gallon tank and would like some suggestions on the number of chromis is a good idea for them to school together.

05/22/2007, 08:54 PM	#2
schoch79 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: hegins,pa Posts: 1,071	I saw one tank that had about 5, I think, that were schooling. __________________ We'd better get back, 'cause it'll be dark soon, and they mostly come at night... mostly.

05/22/2007, 08:55 PM	#3
schoch79 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: hegins,pa Posts: 1,071	If I remember right though isn't it the chromis that are territorial and aggressive? If so it may cause a problem with other fish. __________________ We'd better get back, 'cause it'll be dark soon, and they mostly come at night... mostly.

05/22/2007, 09:21 PM	#5
Agu Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Sarasota, Florida Posts: 30,279	Add as many as you can afford to lose. IME they harrass the weakest chromis to death, and there's always a weakest chromis. __________________ Less technology , more biology . Current Tank Info: 30 gallon half cube and 5.5, both reef tanks

05/22/2007, 09:26 PM	#6
zma21 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: NOLA Posts: 1,453	NO fish will school without a predator in the tank with them. __________________ SCA 50 Starfire: In Progress Current Tank Info: 20 High -> 40 Cube -> Nanocube 12 DX -> 25 Gallon Rimless -> 10 Gallon AGA Temporary Tank -> JBJ 24 LED -> SCA Starfire 50 Cube

05/22/2007, 09:04 PM	#4
TonyOrlando Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Orlando,Florida Posts: 379	I have 3 that school together. I heard somewhere where you should have and odd number of them to shcool. As far as agressive, they are not, at least to my fish. I have a clown wrasse, orange anthias, naso tang, damsel, and a couple gobies. 5 would be fine in your tank, however that depends on the amount of other fish too. Hope this helps you!

05/22/2007, 09:29 PM	#7
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	zma has a point: schooling is a protective response, and it happens mostly when they're scared, which is not a desirable full-time condition. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

05/22/2007, 09:30 PM	#8
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	I had 6 in a 90G. I've moved them to the 180 and they do stay together in a school. FWIW, I've had the same 6 for almost 3 years now. __________________ - Scott