guavanectar

Few questions on the subject.

If you were to go to a pet shop and find a tank with any sort of Tetra, Barbs, or other small schooling fish, is that fish a loner?

Is it okay to by a schooling fish that isolates itself as a single instead of buying a group?

If it is separating itself, is it likely that it's weak or sick? Even if the other fish are not picky on it?

And, a bit more off-topic: Would my Molly female be happier alone or with other Mollies? I sort of prefer only one, because if I were to get more she'd probably need to be with 1 male and 2 more females. :S I currently have the opposite, 2 male and 1 other female. That caused problems so I had to separate males from females. Then I had to separate the females.

Shawnie

schooling fish do much better in schools...usually if one is a loner, it is weak or sick or even being picked on..you just might not see it...buying a single fish that belongs in a school, isnt fair IMO to the fish..they area always scared and never relaxed...now and then you do have the exception to all rules

as far as the mollies, they alwyas should be same sex or 1m/3-4 fems so the fem doesnt get hounded to death....

guavanectar

Thank you for your reply.

I've read that one female will Dom the other if it's just a pair, and possibly kill her. My larger female will begin to nip the smaller one after a while and so I don't feel the will to leave them together. Not okay to only have a single Molly? I never actually read that they are schooling fish, but I am claiming to know either

Shawnie

I wouldnt see why not as far as the molly...I only had one for a bit as she was a rescue..she did fine but deffinately likes more company (she now has some platys and other mollies)

guavanectar

Alright. She would not be the only fish in the tank, just no other Mollies. Thanks again. :)

Steve420

I can't comment on the Mollies (i've never kept any) but I've been keep neon tetra for quite some time.

My Neons do NOT school all the time. I started with a school of 6 (eventually lost 2 who tried to make a "jump" for it). I have 1 Neon who hangs out by himself pretty much all of the time...he has claimed his stake to a small artificial driftwood log that I have. He is healthy as could be, looks good, eats well, but just likes to be alone. I was a little concerned at first (thinking he was sick or weak) but its been over a year and he is doing great. He does school with the others when they get scared....