Angelfish question

[dewilde2]

Hello all:
I have been reading up on angelfish, and am considering them for the centerpiece fish of my new tank (46 g bowfront). Current inhabitants are 5 bosemani rainbows, 2 glass cats and soon to add 4 Bolivian Rams. I might also add a school of panda cories.

Would an angelfish be appropriate for this type of tank?

Are they comfortable alone or do they need another? I feel like I might only be able to add 1.

Liveaquaria.com says that they are compatible with pretty much everything, but would there be any problems adding the panda cories or the 5 guppies (I have them in a 10g) ?

Thanks!

[severum mama]

They can be kept alone. I think a single angel would make a great centerpiece fish for a 46 bow. I wouldn't add the guppies though, I think an angel would bother them, or possibly eat them if it was large enough. The corys will be fine.

[dewilde2]

So I forgot to ask also:
my water always tests "moderately hard" and my LFS tells me that this is normal for the area (St. Louis). I've never had a problem with it, but I have never had angels or cichlids of any kind, and I have read that the angels prefer soft water. Is this something I should be concerned about when deciding whether to add them and if not, is there something I should do to the water?
Thanks again

[Jayhawk]

Most angels are not wild...so they're used to our harder water. I wouldn't worry about it. The water in KC is about the same and my two angels are doing great.

I think you could easily fit in a pair of angels in your tank. I have a pair in a 33 gallon tank with L. dorsigera.

The other fish you list will be fine with, as already noted, possibly a problem with the guppies. If you get the angel/angels small enough, I'd try it with the guppies - guppies are bigger than neons (a natural prey of the angelfish), so the guppies might be fine if the angel is used to them.

Eric