Looking for a good Top Water Fish

[gwlee7]

I have the opportunity to get a complete used 20 US gal. (tank, Mellenium 2000 filter, heater, hood, light, and solid wood stand) from the LFS for $100.

I currently have 2 swordtails, 3 platies, and 6 each of tiger barbs, pristellas, and peppered cories in a 55 gallon. I am thinking about moving the platies and swordtails to the 20 gallon if I get it.

What would make a good top water fish for the 55 gallon either way? (if I don't get the 20 gallon)

If I move the platies and swords could I get say 9 Zebra Danios and increase the schools of the cories, tiger barbs, and pristellas to 9 also and still not be over stocked?

If I leave all the current fish in the 55 gallon could I still add like 6 - 8 zebras or another top water fish?

I need a little more action at the top of the tank. All the fun is in the middle/bottom.

Thanks,

Greg

 

[NinjaSmurf]

Um, the only thing I can think of are hatchet fish, the marbled kind look really good, and I only ever see them at the top, so I think they would be perfect for the top water part.

 

[samthefishman]

Get an African butterfly fish. Cept you wont see ne more of your other fish.

 

[dixaisy930]

I'd go with hatchets as well. Very peaceful fish, and unusual looking as well. Just make sure you have a good fitting hood, because they do jump.

 

[trevo878]

A good top dweller for a 55 gallon would be a pike charachin... just make sure that none of the fish can fit in it's mouth

 

[sylvia]

Stick to some kind of danio - hatchets are much too peaceful and would be vulnerable to attack from those tiger barbs, same applies to any long-finned fish (if those tiger barbs weren't there I'd suggest gouramies... you may still be able to try a trio of blue gouramies if your tigers are relatively peaceful but that may be pushing your tank's limits).

If you move the platies and swordtails you can add nine danios or a few of whatever top-dweller you decide on but I wouldn't add any more fish (maybe a few more but even this would be pushing it). Personaly, I'd increase the tiger barb shoal and add a blue gourami and see if that works out. If not, stick to a few danios and increase all the shoals by 1 or 2 fish depending on the size of each species.

If you don't move the swordtails and platies I wouldn't add any more fish though you could try say 5 zebra danios and see if that doesn't cause any problems...

 

[gwlee7]

Sylvia,

I had 4 blue gouramis that I took back to the LFS b/c they were getting a little too nasty to each other as well as the pristellas. I just got the tiger barbs and have increased their number to 8. I have decided not to get the 20 gallon tank b/c I want to wait and get another bigger tank (maybe a 30 long) and therefore the 2 swords and 3 platies will be staying put.

So that means I have: 2 swordtails, 3 platies, 8 tiger barbs, 6 pristellas, and 6 peppered cories. All of the barbs and cories are very small still and the pristellas are not quite an inch either. I know that full grown I should be pretty close to stocked now. I would like to get a few zebras if I could. Do you guys and gals think that would be pushing it??

I have two AC 300 filters running on the tank so filtration is good and I already change 50 % of the water every week. I thought that would be a good habit to get into

 

[sylvia]

Though it would be pushing it, you could probably manage but not 9, maybe 5. Check your nitrates - if they don't get too high for your fish (with the regular maintainance) you wont have problems.

 

[gwlee7]

I believe what I am going to do is the right thing. I am going to wait until I get another tank (the 30 long) and I'll move either the Swords and Platies or all of the Barbs over there after it Cycles. There is no need to hurry. The fish I have right now are doing well and are starting to use the whole tank. It is very active with the little tigers in there but they are busy chasing each other or trying to "school" with the pristellas.

The hardest thing to do in learning to keep fish is being PATIENT.

 

[Joviella]

Panchax are a great top dwelling fish. There are several different varieties (and they are part of the killifish family) but golden wonder panchax are the best and most colourful I have personally kept.HTH.

 

[gwlee7]

I saw some of the golden onder killis at the LFS yesterday and they were very pretty. They definatley are a consideration. Don't they like to jump?? I would only be able to get one as I'm pretty full up since I'm not moving the platies or swordtails yet. I have also heard they are best in a speicies tank.

 

[gwlee7]

UPDATE: I moved the tigers to their own tank and have purchased 6 giant danios that are being acclimated to my tank water right now.