Fish swimming at top of tank

[New_Fish_Guy]

I have a new 26 gallon 23" tall tank. I just put in 3 guppies and a beta today. They spend 95+% of their time in the top 2" of the tank. Should I be worried about this?

[carpguy]

Check your ammonia and nitrItes. You're cycling. Water changes will help but your fish will be stressed for a bit. The betta may get aggressive with the guppies once he's settled in.

[s_lionheart_13]

If it is JUST the betta, guppy, mollies doing this, don't worry. If you look at the fish, their mouths are pushed up to the point where they are pretty much even with the eyes. This is just how they evolved because it is easier to feed this way, like in the wild.

[Twilight]

Are they up at the top trying to get air? Gasping? If so you best do a water change or something. Or are they just swimming around up there?

[wetmanNY]

I think s_lionheart_13's got it! Good thinking!

And welcome to AC, s_lionheart_13! where there's no question so simple it doesn't deserve a complicated and ambivalent answer heh heh heh...

unless it's posted in the Newbie Forum, of course...