Top water species

[Adrian]

I am looking for a freshwater fish that likes to hang out at the surface, other than live bearers. Any suggestions will be appreciated. I am trying to find more marbled hatchetfish, but they are not often found in pet stores.....

[xximanoobxx]

Hatchets....
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[smaug]

There are silver hatchets,african butterfly.

[Sir Tristen]

I believe cardinal tetras and neon tetras both school at the top. OOh, and if its for the tank in your blog, cardinals would look nice.

[Dave66]

Most of the smaller danio species school at the top of the tank. If you want something unusual, hunt up Brachydanio nigrofasciatus, the spotted danio. If you can find a photo you'll see why I recommend them; in a large group they really shine under the lights. You can see their description in my danio primer.

Dave

[Gayle]

Gouramis maybe? Do you want small fish or large fish? Bright fish, plain fish? LOL

[Red]

You can get wrestling halfbeaks..

[Dave66]

The halfbeaks are brackish water fishes.

Dave

[Adrian]

I think I will go with Daves suggestion. I just looked up the spotted danio, and it really is a neat looking fish. It doesn't get too big, and would add a bit of flair to my tank. Since my tank is so tall, I need something to fill it in, so to speak. Thanks for the suggestions.

[xximanoobxx]

Most of the smaller danio species school at the top of the tank. If you want something unusual, hunt up Brachydanio nigrofasciatus, the spotted danio. If you can find a photo you'll see why I recommend them; in a large group they really shine under the lights. You can see their description in my danio primer.

Dave

I thought danios are both mid and top... But dont they swim in the mid section of the tank most of the time?

[Dave66]

The larger species do, but stay in the top third of the time. The little guys like zebra, pearl, spotted danios like to stay close to the top. If you drop in some floating plants, they'll always be there. Giant danios - Devario malabaricus and D. aequipinnatus, prefer to cruise in the top third, but only race to the top if floating foods are fed.
I've got a mob of several dozen zebra danios, and they are always at the top. I have to use a turkey baster to get food down to the fish below them, as the danios gobble up any bit of food dropped in the tank.

Dave

[xximanoobxx]

Oh, how bout leopards???

[Dave66]

There's been a debate for decades whether Brachydanio frankei is a separate species or just a different population of zebra danios, Danio rerio. They behave nearly exactly the same and are the same size, but as they don't naturally interbreed, in the prevailing school of thought they are a separate species. Only genetic testing would put the debate to rest, but apparently ichthyologists have had better things to do.
Be that as it make, leopard danios prefer an level about two or three inches from the top. They aren't as quick as Zebra danios to food, but then few if any fish are.

Dave

[domjd05]

I am looking for a freshwater fish that likes to hang out at the surface, other than live bearers. Any suggestions will be appreciated. I am trying to find more marbled hatchetfish, but they are not often found in pet stores.....

I can order in marble hatchet fish, i have a few and they are by far my favorite top dweller, goes great with discus.

[Mvjnz]

Cardinals stay in the middle of the tank, not the top.

Zebra danios are nearly always at the top, doing their hyperactive thing.

[Gemstone]

Cardinals stay in the middle of the tank, not the top.

Zebra danios are nearly always at the top, doing their hyperactive thing.

:hmm3grin2orange: Hyperactive thing!!!!! Best description I've ever heard of them!!!!

[MrDrums]

I recently discovered the Debauwi catfish. I got 3 of them, thinking they were bottom dwellers. Turns out they are top level fish, and love to stay in the current or the spray-bar. They love to school, and they don't get too big - 2-3 inches tops. They are a great, active, peaceful fish.

[Fishalicious]

Pseudoepiplatys annulatus - Clown Killies are little top dwelling gems
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[Sir Tristen]

Wow! Those Clown Killies are some beautiful fish! How big do they get?