View Full Version : High level fish
UncaBret
02-17-2006, 5:39 PM
This has probably come up before, but, what are good choices for the top level of my soon to be realized (I hope) tank? I'll have rainbows for the mid level and red lipped botias and a small moosway for the bottom, but don't know what to get for the top.
Any suggestions?
YuccaPatrol
02-17-2006, 5:48 PM
I really love hatchet fish. I have a group of 6 silver hatchets that are always zipping around the surface.
They are sensitive fish though and you should expect (or at least not be surprised by) some losses when bringing some home.
nursie
02-17-2006, 5:55 PM
in my 55..the pearl gouramis are at the top all the time. How big you going on the tank??
Slappy*McFish
02-17-2006, 5:59 PM
Danios...there are some very nice varieties available. Just be aware of their adult size as some Danios grow up to 4-6" and need plenty of room. They're very active fish and stay at the top 99% of the time.
UncaBret
02-17-2006, 6:01 PM
Welll, it started as a 33 long, but thats too long.
Then it was going to be a 30 breeder, but those are hard to find here.
Okay then, a 40 breeder.
But wait, the 50 has the same footprint as the 40 bdr.
But I can get a 65 for the same price as the 50 and its in stock.
So, I think a 65.
I have dwarf gouramis in my 20. I'm trying to get different fish in this one. So I don't want gouramis, otos, white clouds or kuhlis. But thanks for the suggestion.
ghinksmon
02-17-2006, 6:32 PM
Hatchets are great.... with very good water quality.
I've posted it before, but for interest I like the African butterfly. Needs a little extra attention for feeding. http://www.aquahobby.com/gallery/gpantodon.html
The pearl gourami is great, and a bit different than your dwarfs.
IME the smaller danios spend more time up top but not strictly a surface fish. Certainly the easiest to keep of the fish mentioned so far.
patoloco
02-17-2006, 6:46 PM
I've had several types of gouramies and they always kept swimming on the top, until I moved them to a planted tank. Now they swim at every level between the leaves, but most of the time they stay on the top.
My neatest top swimmer is a barbeled leaf fish that stays on the top almost all the time but it requires a constatn supply of live fish to eat.
http://www.whozoo.org/Intro2000/vivo/Vi_leaf_fish.htm
The info on that page seems to be inaccurate, specially wheer it says spawning occurs at 80ºC (176ºF). Just use it for picture reference, please.
Raskolnikov
02-17-2006, 11:36 PM
My hatchets swim all over the tank, actually spending most of their time in the mid-level of the water column. The only fish that I've kept which really kept to the upper realms of a tank has been African Butterflies, but they'll also swallow anything that they can fit in their mouths and as such small fishes aren't good tankmates.
i had hatchets for the longest time, and was happy with them...until i found out about halfbeaks. they're great, always stay at the top. supposedly a brackish water fish, but mine are in a freshwater tank, and have grown up just fine. they aren't usually a stocked item in stores, but any good lfs can hook you up if you ask. last time i ordered 6 and they were cheaper than hatchets! anyways, check em out, something different!
sumthin fishy
02-18-2006, 12:06 PM
Opps what was this post? I meant to quote myself, but I hit edit instead....something about the 65 being almost the same price as a 200 DIY or whatever oh well
Wait! The I said something about my hatchets venturing lower since I got tall plants and drift wood. close enough
UncaBret
02-18-2006, 8:27 PM
The 75 would be great, but its too long. I have a 40" space to put it in.
:idea2: Oh, oh, oh! I got it! I could have a custom 200 gallon tank built with the same footprint as the 65! :eek: What would that be, 75" tall? :help:
My wife would shoot me. :mad2:
UncaBret
02-18-2006, 8:28 PM
I am considering the hatchets. And pancakes and ice cream.
sumthin fishy
02-18-2006, 8:39 PM
, they have felt safer to venture down a bit.
I didnt mean it like that mister pancakes and ice cream!
UncaBret
02-18-2006, 8:52 PM
Yah, I know. We're just having fun, right?
BTW, I like your sig. I try to do that all the time.
sumthin fishy
02-18-2006, 9:11 PM
LOL yes, it is quite fun!!!! And you know...the day I wrote that sig. I was so depressed, having the worst day in a long time. I was walking tsomewhere to get lunch, and some guy, scary looking, looked at me smiled and gave a nod. I could have scowled back and continued to be upset, but I realised theres always something to smile about. I smiled back, and wore that smile thee rest of the day. Tanks for noticing, cuz IM smiling now too :)
UncaBret
02-19-2006, 8:24 PM
Seems to me someone else posted that they tried gourami with rainbows and it didn't work. So I'm looking for other ideas.
Sploke
02-20-2006, 12:26 PM
I just picked up a group of 4 marble hatchets, I really like them. Very cool colors.
Aqualung
02-20-2006, 12:46 PM
i had hatchets for the longest time, and was happy with them...until i found out about halfbeaks. they're great, always stay at the top. supposedly a brackish water fish, but mine are in a freshwater tank, and have grown up just fine. they aren't usually a stocked item in stores, but any good lfs can hook you up if you ask. last time i ordered 6 and they were cheaper than hatchets! anyways, check em out, something different!
Halfbeaks are great aren't they? The brackish thing is a matter of confusion. Many species are found in both brackish and fresh water, and certainly don't require brackish conditions. Some species (Celebes for instance) are freshwater fish and don't do well in even slightly brackish water. There are likely some halfbeaks that require brackish water, but most of the more commonly seen species don't.
Anyway, they are without a doubt my favorite surface-dwelling fish.