Top-level, Small Fish

[fishwatcher]

Any suggestions for a top-level small fish, preferably one that I can have 5 or less of, that will go in a 20-gal FW, soft/slightly acidic water?
Thanks!

 

[furryrabbit]

guppies , endlers?

 

[jayjay]

hatchet fish?

 

[Qays]

White cloud mountain minnows, they stay at the top reigon in my experience, but come down sometimes.

They will adapt to tropical waters as theyre subtropical fish.

Guppies and Endlers arnt top dwelling fish unless you have other fish which cause them to go to the top.

 

[fishwatcher]

I'll be putting them with a pair of blue rams (bottom to mid), and some harlequins rummy-nose (mid level).
I like hatchet fish, but aren't they a little difficult?

 

[Qays]

they can be, and theyre a little territorial too.

If you have rams, you could get guppies to stay at the top, so get some guppies!

 

[GaryHug24]

I'll be putting them with a pair of blue rams, some harlequins and rummy-nose.
I like hatchet fish, but aren't they a little difficult?

I don't know if this is usual behavior or not but I have some Golden White Clouds that are always at the top of the tank (usually chasing the Harlequin around ) The Platies and Cherry barbs tend to stay near the bottom so maybe it's just a territory thing.

 

[fishwatcher]

I had thought about cardinals, but I think they're lower swimmers. Guppies need a higher ph than about 6.4, don't they? If not, how many would you suggest? 1m, 2fm? I don't mind if they have babies... a little protein treat for the fish! Or all (3) males?

 

[jayjay]

hatchet fish - aren't hard in my opinion.

as for guppies - not my cup of tea, but you couldn't just keep 3 males , you would have to do 1 m to 2 f.

 

[fishwatcher]

It seems I read somewhere that they really need live food, and I have no way to provide that. And I've read they're prone to ich. Do any of you have any hatchets? Maybe you could share some personal experience with them?

 

[Lance76]

It seems I read somewhere that they really need live food, and I have no way to provide that. And I've read they're prone to ich. Do any of you have any hatchets? Maybe you could share some personal experience with them?

I have had hatchets for about 6 months or so now, and apart from loosing a few to them jumping out the tank,no problems with them at all, not lost any to ich, mine will only eat of the water surface so never fed them life food at all, but i do vary there diet some by grinding up verious types of food in a morter and stickting that on the surface, they go mad over it,
but look around there are 4 or 5 diffrent types of hatchets i think i have the marbeld so can only coment on my experiances with them!
but they are great fun to watch!!!

 

[stargirly1208]

upside down catfish maybe? if u had a tall plant they'd hand around at the top plus they just make me giggle

 

[fishwatcher]

I think I may look more into the marble hatchets and the upside-down catfish. I'm leanign towards the marbles, though, as I think the catfish need to be in groups and grow pretty good sized.
Thanks!

 

[Alps]

what are the fish #'s that you have now?

 

[Qays]

You could have 5 males minimum, or 1m to 2f (Guppies)

Theyre super fish