Most contentiously, I couldn't pin down exactly what could be classed as a 'realistically sized group'. Let's not be mistaken that many fish are highly social animals. And why wouldn't they be? The benefits of shoals, both to nervous prey fish, as well as stalking predatory packs, are vast. As we increasingly learn about social learning, organisation and recognition in fish, so we continue to be surprised at phenomena more usually associated with higher animals like herding mammals.
It may be that shoals have leaders, for example. For many a lay aquarist, it might seem that a shoal is little more than a terrified mass of dumb, unthinking individuals, blindly lunging from one state of existence to the next.
Any migration is brought about by clumsy chance, or maybe even a collective will to feed and explore. But gradually we are learning the roles that many different fish play within a shoal, to the extent that swimming cohesion may be pointed by key members. Dominant individuals might lead the way, though the complexities of some large shoals might also mean that those up in front are the hungriest, and most willing to take risks, while those in the middle might be content to just waddle along with the masses, letting those around them run the gauntlet of being picked off.
In some panic situations, those fish willing to make a snap decision can encourage others to do the same. We know that shoaling fish learn from visual clues given by each other. There's an old saying about panic spreading like wildfire, but it holds true with fish as well as humans. When a fish becomes frightened, this can manifest visually as bars, clamped or extended fins, paling or deepening of colour, excited and exaggerated movements and catatonia.
There are chemical cues often given, too, in the form of what's known as 'schreckstoff' roughly translated simply as 'bad stuff'. On smelling the bad stuff, other fish will assume predators are nearby.
But schreckstoff isn't always needed for fish to freak. Certain shoaling species, upon seeing a stressed or panicking fish in a different tank, in different water, will automatically go into flight mode, trying to get away from perceived danger.
Both schreckstoff and visual cues are reasons I've been on the fence about certain recirculating systems, but that's a blog for another time. Researchers are well aware of this phenomenon, to the point that fish for experimentation need to be kept out of visual range of other fish in tanks being used.
What does this tell us so far? Well, for one, those who are struggling to keep a happy shoal at home might be automatically on to a non-starter. Fish personalities are usually divided between 'bold' and 'shy' fish, which is pretty self explanatory.
Before you scoff at that, it's the well understood a phenomenon that it needs to be carefully factored in to any experiments on fish behaviour or welfare. Anyway, if you happen to have bought a small shoal made up exclusively of shy fish without a 'leader', then it stands to reason that they'll all be wary about exposing themselves to the open in your aquarium.
Fish get many benefits from shoaling. These include defence against predators: if fish swim in schools, it is less likely any one of them will be eaten.
Neon tetras can be challenging to breed, due to their need for very specific water conditions. If you wish to attempt to breed them, set up a separate breeding tank. Water hardness in the breeding tank should be only 1 to 2 dGH, and pH 5. Use a sponge filter for filtration, and provide live plants. How Many Fish Make a School? However, in the wild schools of fish are generally quite large, often numbering in the hundreds or even thousands.
I've thought of maybe adding a bigger aggressive fish to make them scared again but it would bully my breeding guppies too. What can I do? Thanks, Chris. It probably takes time for them to get used to the move of tanks and adjust to your parameters. It might not seem that fish are shoaling together because its a smaller tank. Of fish were in a longer tank, say ltr for talking sake, of would look more like they were sticking close by 1 an other. But I may be wrong? JenJ Fishaholic. I've thought of maybe adding a bigger aggressive fish to make them scared again.
Click to expand Global Moderator. I'm sure the Neon Tetras are shoaling!! They are a shoaling species, NOT a schooling species. They only swim together when feeding or scared, the rest of the time they swim in a loose group. This is normal for the species and research beforehand would have told you this. You cant change a fish's nature so dont even try. Boromir Fish Fanatic. Maybe get another shoaling species.
Well thanks for your advice, I guess they are how they are. Good day to you all! IMO 10 gallons is the minimum tank size for neons, but bigger is better. You can keep Neon's quite happily in a 6 gallon but the minimum should be a 10 gallon.
Thank you for your input! Those may interest you: My neon tetra got fat and its belly moves?! Growth on Neon Tetra mouth! Stunting - Do fish like Goldfish grow only to the size of their tank? Neon tetra eggs??! How many neon tetras can live with a dwarf gourami in a 10 gallon tank? Is my neon tetra pregnant?? How many neon tetras and guppies in 10 gallon???
0コメント