kulhi loach
- Thread starter Pleco mad man
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Hello; While I usually have several kuhli's in a tank, over the years there have been periods where only one was in a tank. The loners did fine. I have kept singletons of many species without any observable issues. Some posts on this forum have stated formulas for a minimum number of individuals for various species. I never have had an issue with keeping singletons.
I like to keep schooling fish in groups because I like to watch them swim together. I have kept zebra dianoes in groups of over 100 and as single fish. Kuhlis get along with each other so add some more if you want.
I imagine that some will post a minimum number that they feel is necessary. I am looking forward to to an explaination of how they come by the numbers. Some have posted that fish are happier in groups. How do you judge happiness in a fish? That would be interesting to know.
At any rate this question has generated a lot of comments in the past and likely will again. A singleton can lead a healthy life in a tank. Get more if you want, but you do not need to feel pressured to do so.
I like to keep schooling fish in groups because I like to watch them swim together. I have kept zebra dianoes in groups of over 100 and as single fish. Kuhlis get along with each other so add some more if you want.
I imagine that some will post a minimum number that they feel is necessary. I am looking forward to to an explaination of how they come by the numbers. Some have posted that fish are happier in groups. How do you judge happiness in a fish? That would be interesting to know.
At any rate this question has generated a lot of comments in the past and likely will again. A singleton can lead a healthy life in a tank. Get more if you want, but you do not need to feel pressured to do so.
This little piece gives an insight as to why schooling is pretty so necessary -- it's instinctual.
"The hypothesis is presented that "schooling may be considered an instinct… and is at a relatively low level in the hierarchical organization of behaviour." Characteristic behaviour of a variety of fish in their relation to each other is described. Visual stimuli predominantly determine the response, which is affected by increased hunger (tendency towards dispersal), feeding-responses (attract other fish), alarm (increased schooling) and increased reproductive motivation (end of schooling in male, giving way to attempts to hold territory). 66-item bibliography. German summary. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) (Keenleyside, Miles H. A., U. Gronigen, The Netherlands.)" It ultimately helps fish to respond more appropriately to their environment for better survival.
I have a single rasbora (because that's how the previous owner's had the tank) and he insists on schooling with the other fish, my assumption is instinct. Research is the only solid way of understanding most things in this world. There have been studies with fish in pitch black tanks with peep holes and mirrors, to see how they are attracted to other fish or things similar looking to fish. I've done a tank transfer and could not catch one of my Rummies for the life of me, he was left in the previous tank with some bottom feeders while I took a break and the next day he was still restless and sporadic, he had no fish to school with and no fish who looked like him -- I can't pinpoint the exact reason to his uneasiness but could say the tank swap and being alone affected him.
I don't think it is judging happiness in a fish as much as it is keeping them in their natural environment, which consists of more than just one fish. I won't deny that fish can certainly live alone, but the optimum environment is the one that best replicates their natural habitat.
"The hypothesis is presented that "schooling may be considered an instinct… and is at a relatively low level in the hierarchical organization of behaviour." Characteristic behaviour of a variety of fish in their relation to each other is described. Visual stimuli predominantly determine the response, which is affected by increased hunger (tendency towards dispersal), feeding-responses (attract other fish), alarm (increased schooling) and increased reproductive motivation (end of schooling in male, giving way to attempts to hold territory). 66-item bibliography. German summary. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) (Keenleyside, Miles H. A., U. Gronigen, The Netherlands.)" It ultimately helps fish to respond more appropriately to their environment for better survival.
I have a single rasbora (because that's how the previous owner's had the tank) and he insists on schooling with the other fish, my assumption is instinct. Research is the only solid way of understanding most things in this world. There have been studies with fish in pitch black tanks with peep holes and mirrors, to see how they are attracted to other fish or things similar looking to fish. I've done a tank transfer and could not catch one of my Rummies for the life of me, he was left in the previous tank with some bottom feeders while I took a break and the next day he was still restless and sporadic, he had no fish to school with and no fish who looked like him -- I can't pinpoint the exact reason to his uneasiness but could say the tank swap and being alone affected him.
I don't think it is judging happiness in a fish as much as it is keeping them in their natural environment, which consists of more than just one fish. I won't deny that fish can certainly live alone, but the optimum environment is the one that best replicates their natural habitat.
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That is a well constructed post. The schooling/ hearding of prey animals as a part of natural behavior is a valid point. I like to keep some species in groups, but do not worry about it if I wind up with a singleton. Over a long strech of time the numbers of fish in a tank will change. Sometimes I get individuals of a species and come to not like them and just do not want any more of them. ( it becomes especially annoying when a separated tank has to be set up to house an unliked fish untill it can be fosted off on some else or eventually dies. They seem to live an especially long time. ) Sometimes I have had a group of fish and they mature together, such as my tiger barbs now. I started with a group of ten dime sized tigers a few years ago. I now have eight that are fully grown. Putting new young tigers in with them could be a problem for the new fish because of the size difference. They will die off over time and I may wind up with a singleton.
Kuhlis do not exactly school for me. They do hang out together in a tiered slate structure I built for them. They will rest together, but feed and swim alone.
If you get more kuhlis or just keep the one, they do seem to show themselves more if there is a good hiding place for them.
Kuhlis do not exactly school for me. They do hang out together in a tiered slate structure I built for them. They will rest together, but feed and swim alone.
If you get more kuhlis or just keep the one, they do seem to show themselves more if there is a good hiding place for them.
I completely agree that having a single fish can happen at times with this hobby and that with some fish it's not bad at all. I also agree about the Kuhlis I haven't had one by itself, I have 3 and they don't necessarily school together, but they do stay in the same spot of the tank together that they've claimed and during feeding they like to swim and tangle between one another -- like you say having multiple can be more fun to watch. (Mine also might rest together because I have other bottom feeders preoccupying other locations)