Do saltwater fish do better in small groups?

[AquaVaj]

Many freshwater fish seem to do better in small groups of 3-5. Is this true of saltwater fishes as well? I'm starting my first saltwater tank and pretty new to the whole hobby.

 

[danagui]

Depends...chromis usually are schooling fish but most of the time saltwater fish can't stand each other within their own species

 

[gumbii]

they might look better, but in reality, they're probably just flashing colors to defend their cave or rock... and fighting...

 

[rayray]

Specifically, chromis, anthias, bannerfish do better in small groups (shoals). Many others, like tangs, schools as juveniles. Most are hostile towards conspecifics as adults, incl tangs.

Often you'll see like 5 yellow tangs in a 100g & it looks almost natural, but if u watch closely 1 is dominant and bullying the others, he just spreads around the butt-kicking. Its stressfull & not ideal for all fish involved.

 

[BluRocket3]

anthias have nice colors

 

[ejanastacio]

Unless the fish aren't in schools usually I wouldn't get more than 2 of the same fish

 

[rayray]

cardinals

I forgot to add cardinals to the list of common reef aquarium fish that "school."

Concensus from other reefing websites is that you wont even see schooling behavior in tanks less than 500g, and only if a "threat" is present.

Schooling is a bahavior that reduces individual risk to predation. In a small box with no predators and limited food supply, I've mostly seen MMA-style competition.