Schooling Fish

Why Fish School Together

Schooling Fish
Su Neko



Why do fish swim in schools?



How do they swim so close without colliding?




Do all fish school?

Even though eighty percent of all fish live in school at some point in their lives, some fish live solitary lives. As a rule smaller fish are more likely to live out their lives in schools, although some large fish will school together.

Furthermore, not all fish that school do so for protection in numbers. In fact some of the fiercest fish in the world live in schools. Piranha fish live in large schools that they are born into. Although they tolerate their brothers and sisters, a new piranha attempting to join the school later is usually attacked and killed.

How many fish make a school?

There isn’t a magic number that defines a school. However, in the wild schools of fish are generally quite large, often numbering in the hundreds or even thousands.

In captivity, schooling fish need to have at least four to six to create a comfortable school. The old adage, the more the merrier, definitely applies to schools of fish. In other words, you can’t have too many fish in a school.

Which fish prefer schools?

Quite a few popular freshwater fish prefer to live in schools. Barbs, Danios, and most Tetras should always be kept in schools. Loaches such as the Clown and Kuhli loach often will pine away if they are not kept in a school of their own kind. Even larger fish such as the Silver Dollar prefer to live in a school.

It's a good idea to do your homework before choosing and purchasing a new fish, so know you up front if they are best kept in a school. If the fish you are considering prefers to live in a school you should plan on purchasing at least four of the same species.

Generally it’s best if you can purchase them all at the same time. If not, purchase groups of 3 or more at a time, rather than adding one fish to the school at a time.

Also consider the size of the tank required to keep a school, as schools require more space. A good LFS (local fish shop) will advise you on what is needed.