Top Level Fish Recommendations

[Ben_RF]

Hey you wonderful folk.  I am looking for fish recommendations that you personally like that tend towards the top level that are not jumpers.  

[ADMWNDSR83]

I've never had them, but I've always been amazed at the look of hatchetfish.

[lefty o]

marble hatchet fish are cool, and they spend like 99% of their time right up top.

[JettsPapa]

I have black neon tetras and lemon tetras in my 65 and they stay toward the top; definitely mostly in the top half (they look really good together, by the way).

[Machete]

Dwarf Pencilfish (nannostomus marginatus) is an amazing top level fish and they are not jumpers in my experience.

 

[FrozenFins]

I wouldn't do hatchet fish they WILL jump right out of your tank if there is no lid. All though if you do decide to put a lid on, hatchet fish are a great option for top dwelling.

I agree with @Machete dwarf pencil fish are really cool all though I'm not sure if they are considerd a "jumper"

[Ben_RF]

Thank you guys for the help.  The reason I keep an open top tank is that it helps keep the humidity up for me for a medical condition I have.  So thats why I was hoping to find some choices in a top level fish for a community tank that aren't jumpers.  

[ADMWNDSR83]

This may be a dumb suggestion, as I haven't thought it through all the way, but what about a mesh top?  It would allow for humidity but stop escapees.

[Ben_RF]

I actually could build that pretty easy. I actually have a bit to much light going into the tank (have to use a dimmer), so that might actually help.  

[FrozenFins]

Also Congo Tetras I beleive aren't jumpers, and they do stay up at the top.

[Brandy]

Alternate to the mesh would be floating plants that seem to help with occaisional jumpers. Not going to do it for the determined ones tho.

[Ben_RF]

From y'alls experience, do you find white clouds tend to occupy the top/mid or mostly mid?  And do they jump?  I was thinking of driving roughly the two hours to get some if they do occupy the top level.  Or well find a good individual to buy them from online when temperatures warm up a bit.  These are a fish I have always wanted to keep but never have.  

Edited January 4, 2021 by Ben_RF

[lefty o]

ive always found white clouds to be pretty much a mid level fish. 

[Ben_RF]

So what I ended up doing was adding six honey gouramis to the tank, and it has worked out great.  Most of the time they are at the top of the tank either in one of the betta logs (no betta in the tank so don't worry) and in the roots of the floating plants.  Thank you @ADMWNDSR83 the recommendation of the mesh top.  I did build a lid out of screen mesh and wood.  I don't know of honey gouramis are jumpers, but hey better safe than sorry.