Topic: Higher level swimmers for community set up?

[Dale]

Hi guys.
   I'm going to be starting a community Medium cichlid set up soon and so far have a pair of Blue acara, and will have two Gold Severum, and one convict that i will be swapping for my Oscar. That's plenty of bottom/mid level swimmers for my tank, but now I'm a bit stumped on what to have that will swim higher level  
Is there any central/south Americans that stay near the surface? If not i was thinking maybe 3 or 4 Silver Dollars or similar? If anyone else has a similar set up I'd love to know what you have.
Cheers!

[Gerry]

A high swimming cichlid is not easy and I can't think of one offhand 

Some dither fish like rainbow fish might be a good option once you remove the Oscar

[Katt]

Am with Gerry, can think of any Cichild that are top levels.

And the bigger Rainbow fish, or some of the nicer Bards, would work. Even tiger`s would work in a group of 10 or so.  Just because I seen they wont bug any Cichilds.

[Dale]

   Yeah, I couldn't think of any. But never considered Barbs or Rainbows. Rainbows can get to a fair size and are fast so could quickly avoid any stick. I did want to try and keep it central/south American though, are both species American, I can't Remember? Also I'm worried bout putting anything too small in as you know how Convicts can be, even Blue acara can chow down on smaller fish. 

[altaaffe]

Rainbows tend to stick to mid level though, I've got some in my Oscars tank.  The only fish I've got, other than those around an inch, that sit high up, are Angels.

[Dale]

   Hmm, tricky one. I don't think Angels will cut it. This is going to be a case of several trips to the aquatics place I think.
What about my original idea of silver dollars? I don't know a great deal about them apart from what I've read. 

[Gerry]

I think they are more mid swimmer too

[Dale]

Right. I'm on a mission now to find something. I'll let you Know how i get on. 

[Gerry]

  good luck

[Ezekial]

There aren't really that many fish that swim mostly in the upper reaches.  Most fish I can think of are mid dwellers (come to the top to eat) or bottom dwellers.  If you think about nature swimming at the surface is a good way of getting a fish eating birds attention so chances are you won't find too many choices. 

[Dale]

   I think you're right. I'm going to go for some sort of shoaling species, prob like someone suggested earlier some type of Barb or something, they tend to stay around mid to high. It's a 2ft high tank so there's plenty of room. Thanks everyone I'll let you know how i get on and post some pics once all the fish are in.