Tropical Fish Forum
Tropical Fish Keeping Help and Advice => New Fishkeepers => Topic started by: Skittler on February 19, 2015, 06:17:46 PM
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Hello All,
My existing fish (otos, panda corys, embers and neons) occupy the bottom 2/3rds of the tank at best. It is a Juwel Rio 125, and is quite tall. Is there a group of smallish, steady, peaceful, suitable fish who would like the vacant top bit? I am not keen on Hatchetfish or Gouramis, and I suspect that my parameters might be too soft for live bearers?
My parameters are: pH 7.6, KH 4, GH 6, nitrates 20-40. I am currently about 65-70% stocked.
Thanks in advance,
Skittler
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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 (http://www.seriouslyfish.com/species/fundulopanchax-gardneri-gardneri/) which Seriously Fish says are not good community fish (unfortunately, as they were stunning), and Aphyosemion striatum (http://www.seriouslyfish.com/species/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 :-\
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How about glowlight danios? I had toyed with the idea of them for my own tank but it's not big enough - might be suitable for yours, though. I'm not very experienced in tropical fishkeeping, so hopefully someone else will be able to advise if my suggestion is not wise.
Out of interest, which section of the tank do your embers occupy - are they closer to the bottom or the middle?
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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!
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Hadn't thought of pencilfish! Not only do they swim near the top, they also have an interesting swimming pattern, spending time motionless in the water. Golden/beckford's pencilfish are the most common in shops, they are in the fish profiles on here (under tetras).
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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!
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how about a zebra danio?cont go wrong with them
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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
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I'm OK with Seriously Fish, no problem.
I've found that fish such as danios and White Cloud minnows tend to stay near the surface in more open tanks, but in a densely planted tank they move more widely around the tank, from top to bottom and all zones between. I don't think there are many fish which always stay near the surface, it's a dangerous place to be in the wild.
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Floating plants will encourage a lot of species to swim higher in the tank.
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My harlequin rasbora's mainly hover 3-4 inch below the surface and although they move around the tank tend to stay in top half of the tank so could be a possibility?
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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.
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Hello Folks,
Thank you all yet again. I would have replied sooner, but Internet Explorer crashed this morning, and has only just returned.
Richard: Your point about the flow rate at the top of the tank is spot on for me. That explains everything. My filter outlet almost makes waves across the surface. Hence the tetras stay lower, and the pandas, when heading up for a gulp of air, often turn back! So, an active group like danios, could well be a solution for the empty space. They could have it all to themselves!
I still can't get access to Seriously Fish......don't think I've upset them.......
Best Regards
Skittler
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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
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Great - thanks for the update. Always good to hear what folk eventually decide on. (7 is often considered a lucky number, so hopefully you will have a happy aquarium, providing you with plenty of interesting interactions to watch.)
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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!