Do you have an idea what might be the reason behind fish staying near the water surface? These interesting inhabitants of your aquarium home, also referred to as peaceful top-dwelling fish, make your aquarium livelier. However, are those gasping fish at the top a sign that we should be worried? Not necessarily! This guide focuses on the best top-dwelling fish, addressing general concerns and assisting you in selecting the proper species for your tank, whether it is a small aquarium or a grand setup.
Top dwelling fish
Top Dwelling Fish and Their Characteristics
Top dwelling fish refers to any fish that naturally resides in the upper part of an aquarium or any body of water. Predators usually have an upturned mouth for catching insects, plants, or other food particles that have dropped or are floating on water.
Characteristics
- Upward-facing mouths: Top-dwelling fish have mouths that point upwards to feed on insects, floating plants, and other food sources at the water’s surface.
- High fins: Many top-dwelling fish have high fins, such as dorsal fins, that help them maneuver and stay balanced near the surface.
- Streamlined bodies: Top-dwelling fish tend to have streamlined bodies that allow them to swim quickly and efficiently in the upper water column.
- Good eyesight: Since they feed on insects and other prey at the surface, top-dwelling fish typically have good eyesight to spot food.
- Breathing adaptations: Some top-dwelling fish, like gouramis and bettas, have special organs that allow them to extract oxygen from the air at the water’s surface.
Why Is Fish Swimming at the Top of the Tank
Fish hang out at the top of the tank for one main reason – oxygen. The water near the surface has the highest concentration of dissolved oxygen, which fish need to breathe. This can be due to low oxygen levels in the whole tank, or the fish itself having trouble breathing due to illness or water quality issues.
Peaceful top-dwelling fish
What Top-Dwelling Fish Are Good for a 5-Gallon Fish Tank
A five-gallon tank is quite small, and it is almost impossible to find peaceful top-dwelling fish that can fit into this confined area. Here are a few options to consider.
- Scarlet Badis (Dario Dario): These are quite small (about 1 inch long) and will not be overly aggressive even when placed in a 5-gallon tank. They come in such colors as red and blue and prefer planted aquariums with hideouts.
- Pygmy Rasboras (Microdevario kubotai): Another schooling fish that can be kept peacefully is Pygmy Rasboras. These fish are as small as Scarlet Badis, and they grow to only half the size of it. They are perfect for a nano tank, and these come in a shiny red hue.
- Endler’s Livebearer (Poecilia wingei): These fish are also peaceful and are closely related to the Guppy Fish varieties of terms of color patterns. Males are more colorful having large flowing fins and usually appear in red, orange, yellow, and other shades. Remember that these fish are livebearers, meaning they can breed rather swiftly in a small tank.
- Dwarf Honey Gourami (Trichogaster lalius): Another good top-dwelling fish choice for a 5-gallon tank is Dwarf Honey Gourami; they are calm and small and do not grow more than an inch in length. They are found in planted aquariums, characterized by low water flow, and possess a golden yellow body color.
- Celestial Pearl Danio (Danio margaritatus): These small, schooling fish that grow up to an inch in length are non-aggressive and are relatively newly described. Its body is silver with a sheen while the fins are orange, and they should be placed in aquariums with live plants and shelters.
Best Top Dwelling Fish for Aquariums
1. Hatchet fish
| These silver and shiny-bodied fish species are popular for having a hatchet-shaped body with mouths facing upwards. They come under the schooling fish category, which are comfortable in groups of at least 6 and are characterized by fast, twitching movements. Hatchet fish are generally inactive and territorial, and therefore do not generally pose a threat to other fish. |  |
2. Honey Gourami
| These fish are peaceful and reach a maximum size of about an inch in length, which makes them also a good choice for the community tank. They like planted tanks that have little water current and their color is a golden yellow. Another point of interest is that to reproduce, Honey Gourami creates bubble nests on the surface of the water. |  |
3. Scarlet Badis (Dario Dario)
| These relatively small fish are only about 1 inch in length and are well-suited for a small aquarium that is at least 5 gallons. They have red and blue shades and are appropriate for planted aquariums where they can hide. Because Scarlet Badis are shy fish, the other tank inhabitants should not be aggressive. |  |
4. Betta fish
| Commonly referred to as the Siamese fighting fish, bettas are known for their bright colors and long flowing tendrils. They should not be kept with other male bettas, but they are useful in a setup with dividers and are compatible with most community fish. |  |
5. African Butterflyfish (Pantodon buchholzi)
| This funny and quirky fish will surely draw people’s attention! Resembling a small Arowana with large wings and spiky fins, the African Butterflyfish is a shallow-dweller that eats insects and smaller fish. For this reason, the care of various tankmates is crucial and should be given utmost attention. They should be too big to be eaten, and not aggressive enough to threaten the Butterflyfish. |  |
The Bottom Line
Dwelling fish are certainly beneficial when placed in an aquarium, as they bring beauty and action to the upper part of the aquarium. There are as many of these fish types; starting from the Scarlet Badis, which is relatively small, other types include the impressive African Butterflyfish. Selecting the best top-dwelling fish for your aquarium depends on the size of your aquarium and the characteristics of the fish that you have already stocked in the tank.
Leave a comment