On Mon, 2 Jan 2006 10:18:04 +0000 (UTC), Liisa Sarakontu
wrote:

"NetMax" wrote in
:

I could be mistaken, but I've never considered it desirable to shoal
the larger cyprinides SAEs , CAEs, Redtail sharks, Rainbow sharks etc,
as they can be territorial, and don't seem to suffer being alone.

All the other fish you listed are territorial when adult, but SAEs are
schoolers for all of their lives. Don't keep them alone. They are not as
peaceful as several tetras, but they are active and do some fighting with
their school mates (like many other barbs do). Still they like to have
company and can turn aggressive if there are no other SAEs in the tank.

Liisa

I sure have to disagree with your characterization of SAEs. I have
one in a 10 gallon tank with 2 Clown Loaches and 4 Platties. It shows
no aggression and is as apt to swim with the others as to swim alone.

I have 9 in a 75 gallon community tank and have never seen one attack
or show any aggression toward another fish. The Clowns and the SAEs
are often side by side and even resting in touch with one another.
They have been together for over 2 years. In the first year each
species stayed together, but now they mingle all the time.

I have no idea why our experience is so different. I like the SAEs.
Often they rest lightly on leaves or gravel alone or in groups, but
come other times they are quite active especially at feeding time. It
never fails to amaze me how so many fish can occupy the feeding zone
so peacefully. I have seen smaller fish go for the same flake as a
SAE and the SAE swerve off if the little fish is closer.

As you can tell I really enjoy the breed. I have a 29 gallon tank
with 6 more, so I have a sample of their behavior in different
settings.

dick