I've a school of 18 or so black neon tets and really enjoy seeing how structured their schooling habits are. In another tank I've a school of 6 serpae tets that don't school at all! Would adding another 6 induce the schooling trait or is that out of their habits? Bill in Va.
anyone got any long finned? Bill Still in Va.

My six serpaes school all the time. Every once in awhile one will go check out the tank then comes right back to the group.

Serpes are very loose when it comes to schooling, they seem more interested in picking amongst the group than schooling with it.
You really arent going to get them to school any better by adding more.

Neon, cardinals and blacks are about the best schooler's there are.

Fern.. an update to my Serpae's. The tank had two dwarf gourami's.. one black skirted tet with the 6 serpae's.. None of them bothered the Serps a bit but.... took them out of the tank to make room for a quarter sized marble angel and a gold? angel.. Now the Serps are insepartable! What change that caused it, I haven't a clue.. Bill in Va.

Now that is interesting!
Maybe the needed a 'threat' to school?

Or.... maybe the gourami's were the threat compared to the docile angels! I'll ask em... Bill

Schooling is a protection behavior. The stronger dominate fish are in the center where the weaker fish are near the touter edges (in case of an attack the weak get it first). If comfortable the school will break apart.

Heres a pic of a few of my serpaes

Very nice! There is also a long finned version.