Top Dwellers Required

Killifish are surface dwellers. I was shopping for a new piece of wood this morning and the shop had two species in stock. The problem is that not all killifish are suitable for a community tank.
The two I saw this morning were Fundulopachax gardneri which Seriously Fish says are not good community fish (unfortunately, as they were stunning), and Aphyosemion striatum which would probably be OK - SF warns against vigorous tank mates. Both would be fine in your water.

Other than killifish, hatchetfish and gouramis, I don't know what else to suggest 

Sue has covered the ones that spring to mind. You could also consider Panchax or Pencilfish. Hatchetfish are true surface dwellers. Barely leaving the top of the tank!

You could have a look at Pearl Danio. I had some of these a while ago and they sort of zap around the top third of the tank.

A tip if you are browsing, have a look along the line of the tanks and you should be able to pick out the fish that prefer different areas of the tank!

Hello All,

Thank you everyone for your excellent advice and suggestions. Quite a number of fish there that are unknown to me. Clearly, a lot more enjoyable research to be done, both on here, and out "on the road".

fcmf: my 6 embers generally, but not always, occupy the lower third of the tank. Also, they sometimes seem to mix with the 10 neons, when they might get more towards the middle third. Perhaps it is because 6 isn't enough. I do plan to get a few more in the future, if everything else is OK .

Sue: This last few days, I haven't been able to get on "Seriously Fish". All I get is a page of geometric shapes and gobbledegook. Everywhere else is fine. Is anyone else having a similar problem, or is it me?

           Best Regards Everyone, and Thanks Again,
                                                Skittler
                               

Floating plants will encourage a lot of species to swim higher in the tank.

One thing to consider is the flow in the tank. Generally this is much faster near the surface than deeper down, as is the case in natural streams. Some fish enjoy a faster flow, others don't and will always stay in the areas where they feel most comfortable. I've found that my Zebra danios and White cloud minnows like to be up in the strongest flow, but most other species prefer it slower. Neither Neon nor Ember tetras are from fast waters and will always prefer to stay in slower water.

I did once see a video posted by someone who had Cardinal tetras and had installed an extra water pump so that there was a very strong flow even at the very bottom of the tank where the fish were being buffeted about and were struggling to maintain position, often being simply swept away. "Look at my fish playing in the flow" he said. Those fish weren't playing, they were suffering. We should always give our fish a choice of conditions and let them stay where they prefer, not force them to go where they are not comfortable.

Hello All,

So, after doing all that lovely research, including visiting a number of LFS's to clap eyes directly on the goods, I am now the proud owner of 7 Glowlight Danios. I know 7 is a strange number, but I only asked for 6! Some of the Embers think they've got some big brothers and sisters, but can't keep up! My peaceful tank has definitely changed.....for the better I think. They do head into the top third of the tank.....and everywhere else at the moment!.

On another note, as discussed elsewhere on here, I have now accessed Seriously Fish via Google Chrome, but Internet Explorer still isn't playing ball.

Thanks again everyone for your help & advice,

                                               Skittler

Nice choice Skittler. I was torn between glowlight danios, rummynose tetra and my eventual purchase of X-ray tetra. They are all gorgeous and active fish!