Fish Suggestions
 

Let me start by saying that as a rookie in keeping fish, I find all the information on this board amazing. A great learning resource.

Right now I have 4 dwarf gouramis in a 30X12 tank and am trying yo decide what my next fish will be. I would like to focus on the top-level of the tank. What are your suggestions for a colorful, top-level, schooling fish?

Thanks,

EagerAqua

Zebra Danios are top level schooling fish, plus they very hardy. Get at least 3 so they can 'school' properly.

Hi Eager...
 

and welcome to Aquaria Central, where the fishkeepers live in schools :)

My dwarf gouramis were pretty active at the top third of the tank and I think they'd be run out of there by zebra danios, which have to be the fastest fish I've ever owned...

I had very good luck with barbs in my gourami tank, and my favorite was the checker barb, a very hardy fish that has nice subtle coloring and is easy to sex (the males have a reddish dorsal fin with a black leadig edge). They'd operate in the middle strata and leave the top to your dwarfs. Then you could add another top dweller, the male betta (with two-three females, which are very pretty in their own right).

OK, so I told you what I want, rather than what you want. Sorry. But, if you do try checker barbs, you won't go back to anything else.

Regards,

Val

Hi Val and brackishwannbe,

Thanks for the replys. I was thinking about Zebra Danios (6-8 of them) as well. However, Val, I was under the impression that Dwarf Gouramis were mid-water dwellers. I did a bit of research and found some conflicting reports but yes you are right (not that I was doubting you:) ) it does look like they are top to mid-level dwellers. I will have to look into Checker Barbs as an alternative.

Thanks,

Jeremy

So, a couple of alternatives I am looking at include:

Checker barb
Zebra Danio
Bleeding Heart Tetra

Does anyone have any comments on the Bleeding Heart Tetra as a possible fish for my tank?

Thanks,

Eager

Zebras are maniacs! They will swim constantly, and this might annoy your gouramies (I know it did mine). I would go with the tetras, since they are more peaceful than the barbs but not frantic like the danios.

Other choices: blue, silver tip, penguin or emporer tetras. Size differences might make or break the type. I love the silver tips--they are great to watch school, and stay smaller than the other three. Blues are pretty, but sometimes nippy.

I agree with OG, go with some kinda of tetra. I would recomend Black Skirts.

I may also be stocking a new tank soon, and have been considering marble hatchetfish as a top level critter. Does anyone have an opinion regarding these?

Thanks again everyone for their help...this is awsome information. I am now leaning towards the Tetras (which one I now need to work on) since they will meet my water conditions and will go well with my gornamis (feeding habits, water condition, temperment etc).

Eager

Hatchetts are very much top zone dwellers. They are also jumpers, and tend to be sensitive. If you don't have a mature, stable tank, I'd wait a while. You will need to have the tank well covered either way!