another stocking question.

[rich]

so thanks to everyone my tanks going good, plants are well and the fish have survived a bit of ich (mostly). ive stocked the tank fairly well ut when i look at it it seems unbalanced. theres alot of fish in the mid and bottom areas but none in the top. ive been thinking about adding some upper level fish but unsure if my tank can hold them. heres the current stock:

29 gal

1 male apisto cacatu
2 female apisto
3 albino cories( 2 died)
3 kuhli loaches
3 otos (1 died)
1 butterfly loach
a couple amano

the tank is also fairly planted
1 huge tige lotus
3 hornwort
3 bacopa
3 green hygro
3 bushy red crypts
2 bannana plants

so all the fish i have just hide in the plants, bogwood, and pot caves. can i add a few top level little type dither fish? small danios, rasboras, white clouds, small tetra. what about small killifish? or a couple dwarf gouramis (or will those go to war over the apistos territory?)

maybe i should just get more tanks!

[PumaWard]

What about guppies? They (mostly) remain at the top level, and are very colorful. They aren't as hyper as danio's either.

Dwarf gourami would also go well. If they went into the apisto's space, they'd know if the apisto's were unhappy with them :D, and they would learn to stay in the upper levels.

It's all really up to you, as long as the fish stays small and is peaceful, I think you're okay.

[OrionGirl]

I would be hesitant to add anything to the tank--those fish will fully stock the tank at adult sizes and territories. The apistos will never be upper-level fish, but they will become more assertive and not hide as much. If you feel you must add something, stick to small tetras, neons or cardinals. I wouldn't add danios--there frantic behavior will likely spook the fish even more; white clouds prefer it a bit cooler than the tropical fish you have; the dwarf gourami will compete for the choice hiding spots with both the apistos and cories.