What Is a Top Water Tropical Fish?

Top feeding fish, are the types that in the wild, ate bugs, and other bits of food that floated on the surface, or landed on the water where they lived. Sometimes they are fish that by their body structure, are not able to live in deep waters, and you'll see them hanging mostly in the top half of aquariums.

Depending on the social structure of your fish, the top feeding fish that also live near the top, should have some floating plants to use as cover, or just to rest in when other occupants of the tank are overactive.

If you are at a friend's, or in a pet store where an aquarium has a variety of fish in it, just passing your hand over the top, can quickly tell you which ones are the top feeders. They're the ones rushing to get the food first. Most fish will become accustomed to the opening of the aquarium canopy, or a hand over the water serving as a signal for food.

Female Bettas are top water fish, and will feed there. They can be a peaceful part of the community tank, whereas their top feeding mates must be either kept by themselves, or in a tank with no fancy fins or other aggressive fish.

The various Gouramis are also top water fish, and will feed at the surface, as will most of the tetras. However, there is a broad spectrum of both live-bearers and egg-layers that live anywhere except the bottom, and feed at either the top or middle levels.

Depending on the species of the top water or top feeding fish, you can feed a good quality flake food that floats. This is often varied in colors according to their make up and possibly dyes, as some fish are attracted by the vibrancy of their "prey". Some of the flakes will by knocked down into the tank for others to pick up. Floating sticks are also appropriate, according to the nature of the fish. Feed only a small amount that can be cleaned up in two minutes. If it is gone quickly, you can feed a second pinch. Skim any leftover floating food off the tank, when the fish lose interest.

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