[Mikeman]

I was reading in one of my magazines the other day about how most cardinals school in nature, and taking my limited knowledge of banggia cards, im certain that this species doesn't school. However do you think Flame Cardinals(Apogon maculatus) would?

and how big of a tank would u need to support enough of them for them to school, i think it would be pretty cool to have a big school of these, with some tangs of multi colors to give flash to the tank.....

[FMarini]

Mikeman:
you failed to remember in your fish tank is the main reason why banggai cardinal don't school (actully not your fish tank specifically). In the wild they do. When there is competition for space and territories are limited the fish fight. But give 200banggais a couple of acres to live in, they school. If you see any of the Gerald Allen's photos of banggai in the wild, its very clear that banggais like all small food fish, use schooling for protection. Gerald some great shots of the side of a rock w/ prolly 50 banggais inverted and "balling" forming a protective ball.

So to answer your question, yes pyjamas, orbics, and these flame cardinals (usually Apogon maculatus) will school.
frank