Top Dwellers

[Big_eyes]

I've got a 150ltr tank that's quite tall. My 5 clown loach and 3 chain loach are always around the mid to bottom bit and the 4 oto's are always out of the way on one plant or another.

So what are my options for something that will spend time in the upper area?

I'm quite keen (as said in other threads) on a betta, I also like the idea of a couple of blue rams..... but don't really know what else to ponder.

Any suggestions?

 

[ZoddyZod]

Hatchets or golden panchax like the top of the tank.

Rams will mainly stay at the bottom.

 

[mwood2]

for a tank that size I would worry more on your current stock before other. Clown Loach need a large tank of 100+ within there first year in order to grow properly. I have seen the difference of s stunted Clown Loach for the first time today and I have to say when kept in a proper tank they are HUGE. I suggest rehoming them, upping the chain loach to 5+ and adding a shoal or Tetras/Rasbora. Your tank could probally do 15+ of either easily. Other options of Gourami, Kilifish (Some killi are predatory and will eat smaller fish), Barbs. Most shoaling fish will fit and do well in your tank. If your tank is 18+ in high you can even do angelfish.

 

[aly_starh]

I would also reccomend an Angelfish

 

[Curiosity101]

Mwood is completely correct with regards to the loach. Clown loach take a long time to grow, but people cannot say exactly how big they can grow to in your tank before they will start to show stunted growth. His suggestion is spot on.

Just to add to mwoods and put them all in a nice list.

Top Dwellers...
Many Killifish (research breeds beforehand though as some are agressive and as said some are predatory)
Livebearers (often fish such as guppys, swordtails, mollys etc), for your tank I would specifically recommend either a group of 4 mollys or 4 Swordtails depending on how much space you want to give to them. There is also a species of fish called the wrestling half beak...i'm personally not a fan but they do fit the criteria.
Hatchetfish - Specifically marbled as they are smaller, but also the common silver should be fine in your tank.
Danios - Only thing about danios is they like cooler waters.

Top and middle...
Most gouramis - In your tank you have a choice between, Honey, Dwarf and Pearl
Keyhole Cichlids (tend to use all of the tank)
Angel fish

Oh and I would really reccommend against putting a betta in a 150l community tank, it's just asking for trouble.

 

[eschaton]

Agreed with what was said above. Other interesting top dwellers I've had before are Psuedomugil "rainbowfish," ricefish, and clown killies.

 

[reeeedfish]

Don't forget the African Butterfly Fish! They grow 4 inches are awsome little critters. It takes A LOT to get mine off the surface of the tank.

 

[smoggs]

Don't forget the African Butterfly Fish! They grow 4 inches are awsome little critters. It takes A LOT to get mine off the surface of the tank.

seconded on these being awsome fish, just make sure the tank is fully covered with no escapes for it, not nice to find in the morning after a fly out of the tank incident

 

[reeeedfish]

Yay! A fan of the African Butterflyfish!

 

[Big_eyes]

Hi, some good responses there. Many thanks!

On the clown loach side, I've already posted that there is a nice big big home awaiting them should they start to become a bit big. Should really get it in my sig to protect me from the repetitions. lol

Anyhow on a quick side note, whats this business about 'showing signs of stunting' ? Never heard that before.

 

[Curiosity101]

Imagine you had a fish that grows big, but also grows fast eg. An Oscar.

If you left it in say... a 10gal (that you could happily put it in while it was 1-2"), then you could argue that it was fine...because it's not 'physically' outgrown the tank.

But... if you compared a 6month old oscar from the 10gal to a 6month old from say... a 40gal then you would find that the one from the 10gal was physically smaller and possibly even slightly deformed.

But until you can compare the two, then people often argue 'it's fine cause it's still small'. The same could happen to clown loach if kept in a tank that was too small for too long...but it's hard to judge when it begins being stunted... Hope that makes sense?

 

[Big_eyes]

Oh and I would really reccommend against putting a betta in a 150l community tank, it's just asking for trouble.

You have my attentions, is this because of the tank size?

 

[Curiosity101]

Not exactly, mainly it's due to the fact that bettas often don't do well in communities.

There are alot of fish that find bettas fins tasty, which is obviously hell for your betta. And the betta himself can be rather antisocial and attack tank mates, or spend all of his time sulking.

 

[craig855s]

danios,hatchets,gouramis,golden panchax

And yes,the clowns will outgrow your tank quickly,i'd rehome sooner rather than later

 

[ALW]

Mwood is completely correct with regards to the loach. Clown loach take a long time to grow, but people cannot say exactly how big they can grow to in your tank before they will start to show stunted growth. His suggestion is spot on.

Just to add to mwoods and put them all in a nice list.

Top Dwellers...
Many Killifish (research breeds beforehand though as some are agressive and as said some are predatory)
Livebearers (often fish such as guppys, swordtails, mollys etc), for your tank I would specifically recommend either a group of 4 mollys or 4 Swordtails depending on how much space you want to give to them. There is also a species of fish called the wrestling half beak...i'm personally not a fan but they do fit the criteria.
Hatchetfish - Specifically marbled as they are smaller, but also the common silver should be fine in your tank.
Danios - Only thing about danios is they like cooler waters.

Top and middle...
Most gouramis - In your tank you have a choice between, Honey, Dwarf and Pearl
Keyhole Cichlids (tend to use all of the tank)
Angel fish

Oh and I would really reccommend against putting a betta in a 150l community tank, it's just asking for trouble.

Agreed. I would also say that Tetras stay in the mid-top