• You are viewing the forum as a Guest, please login (you can use your Facebook, Twitter, Google or Microsoft account to login) or register using this link: Log in or Sign Up

Can you recommend a shoaling fish for the top of the tank?

A

Ajm200

Member
Joined
19 Feb 2010
Messages
538
Location
London
Hi.

Looking for a fish for the top of my 5ft tank. I'm stuck for ideas and with an extra deep tank that's not good.

The rest of the family seem to have chosen mid/bottom shoalers.

So far we have

cardinal tetras
rummynose tetras
Odessa barbs
rams (captive bred and happy in hard local tap water)

Can you suggest something for the top of the tank but not hatchet fish as my little boy doesn't like them and calls them scaredy fish with that odd logic that only toddlers possess

thanks
 
Re: Can you recommend a shoaling fish for the top of the tan

Someone should tell my pair of bosemanii. They stick to the bottom but that might be in protest at being sole occupants of a 60l biorb (before I'm flames) Temporary measure while my quarantine tank is having issues.
 
Re: Can you recommend a shoaling fish for the top of the tan

Eques pencilfish hang around near the top but the most unique option might be hatchetfish. They stay glued to the surface - just don't have them if you have an uncovered tank as they will jump put and can fly for a couple of metres.
 
Re: Can you recommend a shoaling fish for the top of the tan

A shoal of guppies will hang at the surface some of the fancy varieties look well. Agreeing with Ed on the Hatchets, I was going to suggest them but they seem to escape through the smallest of gaps.
 
Re: Can you recommend a shoaling fish for the top of the tan

My Blue Tetra like the top of the tank but I don't know if you'd find this as you have other Tetra so they may head to them for shoaling.

The problem I've found with shoaling, or is that schooling, they will only shoal when they feel intimidated, scared or worried. If the tank is nice and peaceful and they fit in well with the others, they will just spread out, only tending to shoal at times they feel a threat, such as lights out time.
 
Re: Can you recommend a shoaling fish for the top of the tan

hatchets are nice if there is a top on your tank and they cant jump out.
 
Re: Can you recommend a shoaling fish for the top of the tan

General rule of thumb when looking for surface dwelling fish is the mouths on the top of the head, same for the rest midwater feeders head in middle and bottom feeders.. I think you get the picture🙂
 
Re: Can you recommend a shoaling fish for the top of the tan

Flyfisherman said:
Amanda
Have you considered White Mountain Cloud Minnows.

http://www.aquahobby.com/gallery/e_tanictis.php

Regards
Paul.
Click to expand...


Have a few in a biorb. They do stay near the top but are so tiny and don't really stay together. I think they'll be lost in the big tank. Great suggestion though, will put them on the shortlist. 🙂
 
Re: Can you recommend a shoaling fish for the top of the tan

Ed Seeley said:
Eques pencilfish hang around near the top but the most unique option might be hatchetfish. They stay glued to the surface - just don't have them if you have an uncovered tank as they will jump put and can fly for a couple of metres.
Click to expand...


Don't know much about them but will check them out. Thanks
 
Re: Can you recommend a shoaling fish for the top of the tan

dw1305 said:
Hi all,
I like Pencil fish too, how hard is your water? they don't like to much hardness.
cheers Darrel
Click to expand...

That's a pity. We are near London so the water is very hard. Every droplet that's allowed to dry leaves a white sediment. Limescale removers are a regular item on the shopping list.
 
Re: Can you recommend a shoaling fish for the top of the tan

AverageWhiteBloke said:
A shoal of guppies will hang at the surface some of the fancy varieties look well. Agreeing with Ed on the Hatchets, I was going to suggest them but they seem to escape through the smallest of gaps.
Click to expand...

Don't think hubby will allow any livebreeders in the tank after the molly population explosion in our 60l. Two 'males' rapidly turned into 60 or more Turned out they were pregnant females. I know this is easier to avoid with guppies but don't think he'll go there plus I think the barbs we are considering would probably nibble their tails.

Would add lots of colour though..
 
Re: Can you recommend a shoaling fish for the top of the tan

I have tiger barbs with my guppies, they had a chase about at some long finned Angels that I had but they get bored with it and stopped doing it when the novelty wore off. If you have a minimum of six barbs they tend interact more with each other.

The hatchet fish prefer soft/medium water as well so your water being vhard the might not be the best choice although they are reasonably tolerant.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top