Not Schooling.

[Angelfish]

Yesterday I bought just one ghost catfish, I have read all over the internet and the girl at the LFS said that they like to be in groups and even school. Today I added two more, and if anything they are doing the opposite of schooling, they are spread as far away from oneanother as possible in the tank. Is it just a myth that they like to be around eachother or do I just need to give them time?

 

[fishboy]

Three is not a school, i would get another two. Fish like this need fairly large schools to feel secure, so i would advise to get more or they will be very elusive.

Good luck,
Daniel

 

[fishaddict]

As well as doing the above some species just school as a protective behavior as well as the fact they like to be together. Whenever i vacuum my tank my giant danios are in one corner. My tetras in another all together. As soon as i fill it back up and leave it alone they pretty much separate. Im not sure if thats an issue which probably isn't but it might be worth it.

 

[Angelfish]

Before reading this I already did the opposite, I returned one of the thee as it wasnt looking very well (I think it has something to do with the girl who got him out of the tank dropping him to the hard floor from kinda high.) So now I have just two who are somewhat hanging out together. I hope they will be okay with just them for now.

 

[stik6shift98]

i have just one and hes been in the tank for two months now.....hes doing fine.....

 

[Slacker]

Shoot, my 7 danio's dont school!

 

[colesea]

My bloodfins only school if I distrub the thank with a water change. It is mostly a defense mechanism, fish that feel threatened will school. If they are comfortable and feel safe in your tank, they will separte and perhaps do little trios, or go off on their own.

Sometimes too, fish may not want to school because they don't like each other. If one cat is more dominate over the other, the submissive cat will be displaced, and try to find somewhere else to hide. That's why having large numbers of schooling fish, 6+, is always a good idea. That way if there is a pecking-order dispute, the school could split but still have enough members for everyone to have a partner.
~~Colesea

 

[Angelfish]

Okay well after about 10 hours tops of having one of the new ones he died! So now I only have one.

 

[catfishmike]

you know what,glass catfish can be real hard to acclimate,i have seen very high losses when i was working at a lfs.almost the whole tank. and some fish don't school even if theh should.my neons only school when it is time for food the rest of the time they break into two lose schools and they are very spread out from each other

 

[Angelfish]

I'm worried that my last one isnt going to be around too long either, it seems fine, no other fish bother with it, but I have never seen it eat yet, Ive had it three days so far.

 

[geoffgarcia2]

not to mention glass cats are about the most boring fish in the universe.....

 

[mike the zealot]

You want fish that will absolutely, ALWAYS school? Rummynose tetra. get at least 5 and you'll see what I mean

 

[Angelfish]

I dont think they are boring, and even if they are they look cool =) Anyway I still have one left, my question is, how long can a fish live without eating? I got this fish on the 2nd of May and I still havent seen him eat? I'm kinda worried hes gonna be a gonner soon.

Thanks for the suggestion on the rummynose tetras mike the zealot =)

 

[catfishmike]

does the fish at least look fed.i never see my upsed down cats eat but boy are they fat.as long as the fish keeps living your ok.once again try garlic to atract the fish to the food.boy i have been doing a lot of talk of garlic this week.

 

[Angelfish]

Well, he doesnt look fat or anything, but he is behaving normaly and healthy. Hes always swimming againsed the current of the filter so he must be getting energy from somewhere. Yet everyday when I put food in the tank, he not only doesnt eat, but dodges out of the way of it.