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Okay, most of us have probably had this problem at one time or another. We have those two cories or three neons and know they need more friends to be in a school.

The problem is we don't want or can't have six of "x" fish in our tank therefore we need to do something about it.

The dilemma is that sometimes none of our options seem much better than just leaving them as is, assuming they appear to be doing fine.

For example, I have one oto cat who needs some friends to be happy. The problem is a school of 6 otos won't go over well in my 20g tang tank or in my 10g. So my choices seem to be to keep him alone in the 10g or give him to a fish store who won't tell people he needs to be in a school and will probably sell him to someone to live in another tank w/o a school.

So, what do you do with your fish that should be in schools, but don't look like they'll ever get into one?

Well, I know most people say Ottos should just be kept in at least groups of 3.

I have run accross that problem as well, in that having the different fish I want in the correct numbers...well, it adds up pretty quickly! I think that is part of the reason why smaller tanks are so hard to stock, at times.

Just being honest, I think it depends on how much you are worried about your fish being 'happy.' Obviously, a lot of people out there don't have the proper numbers of schooling fish. And everyone has different opinions on whether or not their schooling fish are happy without a school.

But as far as options...either keep the fish in fewer numbers or find new homes for them and get other fish that wouldn't cause this issue.
Or the best option, buy bigger aquariums for them!! But I know that isn't always an option. It's amazing how expensive a few fish can turn out to be!

I tend to plan out the fish in my tanks, and if I know I can't fit what I want, I look for alternatives.

I struggle with this too. I don't see how it is possible to always have the proper number of any one species unless you plan to keep the same species of fish for the rest of your life. Over the years most of school will die off and if you don't want to get more of that fish...then there will always be that one or two fish that live years after their buddies have died. I know many people will return them to a store or trade them, but I have a feeling that doing that is just as stressful as living in a tank "school-less". And I also think that returning them to a store more likely than not means that they die at the hands of un-educated person that is new to the hobby. I have a few fish that are loners now and I think they are doing well because they are active and are not picked on by any of the other fish.

For me, I don't buy a schooling fish or one that enjoys friends unless I can provide that, meaning I have the space in a tank and the money.

Because of deaths I have kept fish in the past that were in a situation like that. For example I had a school of six panda cories, and suddenly I lost three within three days, never figured out why I moved them to another tank with the intention that I'd eventually get more. But I noticed they were as active with only three as they were with six, eating well, growing, so I never bought more.

If you really think they fish is unhappy you could see if a lfs would take it, or maybe a friend that keeps fish as well. You have to decide what's best for your fish

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There is water at the bottom of the ocean

For the otto, I'd say just the addition of 1-2 more should be fine. As for other lonely schoolers, I'd just say that if the tank can accomodate a COUPLE more of that species, then go for it. If not, go with your best judgement...

PM/email/msg me if you have any questions/comments regarding me or my knowledge or if you want me to read a thread.

i have a single oto, and he seems perfectly well-adjusted. I didnt MEAN to, but it just kinda happenned. I am still hunting more friends for him (they arent that common here, and they are rather $$)

I think just adding one or 2 will be fine for your lonesome boy.

For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

I've often wondered if putting a small mirror in the tank would help with the "freaking out" of lonely schoolers. I mean, cories will school with their own reflections, and bettas flare at their own reflections, so why not other fish, too? Would a mirror help? (Beveled edges, I guess, so as not to put something too sharp in there...)

I think it'd depend on the fish and the size of the tank. Sticking a compact mirror in for your one cory in a 75 gallon tank probably isn't gonna do the trick for him, and I don't know if the mirror might have interesting side effects on some other fish, such as territorial RTS or aggressive dwarf gouramis. Might be worth a try though...

PM/email/msg me if you have any questions/comments regarding me or my knowledge or if you want me to read a thread.