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Way back in 1995, I bought some Cardinal Tetras for the aquarium that was, in the fullness of time, to become the Panda Fun Palace™. They were lovely to look at, but somewhat shy and retiring in behaviour. Even when food was added to the aquarium, including live food, they seemed to wait for the food to come to them, then take desultory pecks at the food, to the point where they had to be watched very closely in order to catch them feeding at all. Which they must have done at some point, given that they lived nearly 7 years (quite a lifespan for Cardinals that!), but I ended up characterising them as 'stealth feeders' on the basis of the observation of that particular group.

Then, of course, I had my well-documented disaster with the water supply, and the near-total wipeout of my previously bouncingly healthy Cardinals along with a brace of other fishes.

So, I acquired some new Cardinals. Again documented fairly extensively in other threads.

The difference in behaviour between these new Cardinals and the old ones, however, is quite something to behold.

The old Cardinals rarely strayed more than 2 inches above the substrate. The new ones, on the other hand, are inquisitive little fellows, poking around in clumps of Java Moss here, there and everywhere (in fact they're split into two 'exploration parties' as I type this, one nosing around the lush growth on the bogwood 'boot') and swimming in formation in prominent display in front of my Amazon Swords, which the old Cardinals almost never did. Moreover, the new ones occupy a far greater spread of water depth than the old ones ever did - sometimes coming to within an inch of the surface. They've even injected some of their bravado into the last survivor of the old batch, who is now far more outgoing than he/she ever was prior to the disaster and the introduction of the new ones. Even more unusual when compared to the original batch of Cardinals, this new shoal rises to the surface and attacks flake foods with undisguised relish whenever I feed them. It's almost as if I've acquired a different species - the previous Cardinals had to be watched from a distance if I wanted to see them in a group, because if I approached the aquarium, they'd all hide behind the plants, while the new ones will dance about in front of the camera and pose for pictures as long as I want them to, completely unfazed by my presence.

I suspect the fact that this current shoal numbers 12 individuals has had an effect upon this. Has anyone else observed similar differences in behaviour when a shoal has been increased in size?

If this is what happens when I have 12, I'd love to see what happens if I ever upgrade the Panda Fun Palace™ to a 6ft aquarium and have enough space for 30 of them!


Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

Increased size schoals have always shown more activity for me. I have however had some cardinals that were very active in just groups of 2-3. Along with this, I feel the other fish stock has much to do with it as well. As many times the cardinals are more skittish if they are fewer numbers, and there are other highly active fish in the tank with them. If they are in a larger school, there is more chance of one jumping out and the others following.

A basic mathimatical thought; lets say that each said fish jumps out and takes a swim around every 3 mins. So with three fish, they would each take their turn, thus taking a swim around every min. The others always follow, but only lead once every three mins.
Now, lets say you take the same said fish, and increase the numbers to 12. This would be four times the amount. Thus, if each took their turn, in turn, they would do it every 15 seconds, or 4 times per minute.
What I am trying to say, is with increased numbers in a school of fish (they almost always follow each other), there only stands to reason that there will be an increase amount of movement, as there will be an increased likelihood of a greater chance of just one jumping out.
(by jumping out, I mean out of the pack, or mearly just a quick reflex of one causing the others to jump as well). They always follow each other, because they are safer in numbers. So, with increased numbers there is an increase in "jumpers".



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There is always a bigger fish...

Yep, that's it. With schooling and shoaling fish, the general rule is that the larger the group, the better off they are. The fish seem to open up more and be more e to activity when they feel safe, and greater numbers equals safety to them. Even adding one or two fish after the school has been in the tank for a while will show a difference.

---

And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

So if I ever get a 6ft version of the Panda Fun Palace™ set up with 30 Cardinals in it, the Cardinals will be buzzing around like mad things then?

Goodness knows what would happen with 30 Pandas in there ... absolute mayhem I shouln't wonder, with or without the Cardinals!

Mind you, I remember Chester Zoo having an aquarium filled with nothing BUT Cardinals ... and they were HUGE. I'd NEVER seen Cardinal Tetras that big before in my life, and I think there were something like 200 of them in the aquarium. Talk about a conversation stopper - everyone who looked at that aquarium, even the non-fish people, gasped ... but of course the aquarists among the crowd were even more stunned!

I was too busy standing there with my jaw open at the time to notice any behavioural quirks, because when you see a huge tank full of Cardinals that size, that's basiclly all you do when you're a teenager!


Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

I got a buddy who has a 150 gal heavily planted tank with 200 cardinals in it. Only fish in it are the cardinals and over 100 ottos. It is an awesome site.

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There is always a bigger fish...

I recently posted the same thing by adding three small Cardinals it brought all the others out now they swim at all levels instead of hiding at the back and under the plants.

Have a look in [link=My Profile]http://
www.fishprofiles.com/interactive/forums/profile.asp?userid=6741" style="COLOR: #00FF00[/link] for my tank info

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Keith

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I had 8 Rummynose Tetras & they where all fine & had really Red noses, but they where a bit shy & i taught that it's because i had 3 Large Angels with them. I added 6 more Rummynose & the schoal became bigger & they where more roaming around, not only when i feed them. Now i have 18 of them & they swim around in 1 schoal & they go crazy for Daphnia & other small meaty foods. They are with 6 Angels & more Tetra's & lots of Corydoras & they look fine. (touch wood)


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