Top dwelling fish?

OriginalUserName · Jan 31, 2019

I'm hoping to find one or more fish that will spend more time towards the upper part of my tank. 140g red sea reefer. My current fish stay mid level or lower, but I do wonder if they will spend more time higher up when (if?) I get some SPS growth to fill up some of the negative space. I suspect the options may be limited as most fish that will live in a 140 probably aren't top dwellers.

Current stock list is

Magnificent foxface
copper band
5 blue chromis (they generally go the highest)
occelaris pair
watchman/pistol pair
royal gramma
bangai

Just ordered a White tale bristle tooth so I doubt I'll wind up adding more tangs. I'd also love to do a mandarin at some point because I finally have a tank that can support a large pod population.

bad pic to give a basic idea of rockwork

GoldeneyeRet · Jan 31, 2019

Dartfish. Scissortail or barred would fit the niche nicely.

DeniseAndy · Jan 31, 2019

Not many options for those that always stay in top zone. Anthias will stay closer to top if comfortable and content. Your chromis are the closest to staying on top. I have a pair of clowns that stay right on top by the overflow. Most like mid way or lower. At least those that will fit in most home aquaria.

DeniseAndy · Jan 31, 2019

I have no experience with dartfish, so look into those as GoldeneyeRet says.

Always research from those with experience with the fish.

OriginalUserName · Jan 31, 2019

GoldeneyeRet said:
Dartfish. Scissortail or barred would fit the niche nicely.

I'll check them out. Not very familiar.

Doc Lemonjello · Jan 31, 2019

OriginalUserName said:
I'll check them out. Not very familiar.

You'll need to cover the tank if you pursue dartfish.

minus9 · Jan 31, 2019

Doc Lemonjello said:
You'll need to cover the tank if you pursue dartfish.

Agreed, a lid is a must. All fish are jumpers. Flasher and fairy wrasses are great with movement all around, but scissortails or zebra/barred dartfish would fit the bill once they feel comfortable.

Oldreefer44 · Jan 31, 2019

Second the recommendation of Anthias. Mine all stay near the top. Can be finicky eaters.

Vahanyos · Jan 31, 2019

I currently have a Bartlet Anthias who spends most of his day mid to high in my tank... he only runs low and hides when he gets scared. I also had Lyretail Anthias in my previous tank that spent most of their time also mid to high. When you get some SPS on the top of the rocks, I agree that this will probably encourage them to spend more time up there...

OriginalUserName · Feb 1, 2019

I'm going to go ahead and pick up a lid kit to be on the safe side. Knock on wood I've only had a clown jump but now that I'm getting some pricier fish in my tank that insurance is a good idea.

Baldguy · Feb 1, 2019

My flasher wrasses stay close to the top. And yes a lid or screen top is needed.

Jesterrace · Feb 1, 2019

DeniseAndy said:
I have no experience with dartfish, so look into those as GoldeneyeRet says. Always research from those with experience with the fish.

You would have a bad experience with them as you have an uncovered tank and they are notorious jumpers. Hate to say it but you need to get a cover on that tank, with any fish that would hang out in the top of the water column.

dansreef · Feb 1, 2019

It is a great question. I have had some small two spot cardinals a while back. I had 6 total. They schooled nice for a while and stayed near the top. I lost them with a stupid move on my part and have thought about getting more. The problem: in the wild the fish that stay near the top are prey for birds and for fish to ambush from below. As a result their natural inclination is to find cover. I have had Anthias and they do work mid to upper levels and are always moving. Chromis will work the upper part of the tank too for a time.

One thing you can do build your stone up higher in your tank that will give these fish more cover and they will live higher up as long as they have somewhere close to hide if threatened. Also as suggested, you will want to build a cover of netting at the least to keep them from carpet surfing.

Daniel@R2R · Feb 1, 2019

My wrasses and anthias are all mid to top of the tank almost all the time.

DeniseAndy · Feb 1, 2019

Jesterrace said:
You would have a bad experience with them as you have an uncovered tank and they are notorious jumpers. Hate to say it but you need to get a cover on that tank, with any fish that would hang out in the top of the water column.

Not sure if you have the correct person, I have covers on all my tanks due to fish jumping. Learned the hard way very early on.

Never mind. I think you were telling the OP to get a cover.

DrBrownThumb · Feb 1, 2019

I added 3 bartletts anthias and it's the best thing I ever did for my tank. They're always swimming at the top, and they made all the other fish come out more as well. They eat pellets like pigs, and have great colors.

vetteguy53081 · Feb 2, 2019

All my anthias, one percula, clown tang and 6 line wrasse seem to favor the top. On the other hand, they know where my AFS is and the sound of it , meaning Food!

Jesterrace · Feb 2, 2019

DeniseAndy said:
Not sure if you have the correct person, I have covers on all my tanks due to fish jumping. Learned the hard way very early on.

Never mind. I think you were telling the OP to get a cover.

Yup, the OP's tank was clearly uncovered in the picture, but it sounds like he is getting one, so no worries.

Jesterrace · Feb 2, 2019

mdbannister said:
My wrasses and anthias are all mid to top of the tank almost all the time.

While the other fish will venture into the top of the tank sometimes my Blue Star Leopard definitely spends a significant amount of time near the surface.