Angelfish stocking question

[slthoeny]

I have a tall corner 50gal tank I am getting ready to put fish in. I just bought it, and its current residents are going to my LFS. (That would be four 14/15 in plecos and five silver dollars.) Anyway I thought the tall tank would be great for angels. I was just wanting suggestions for good tankmates. I was thinking maybe a school of Harlequin rasboras. Any ideas? Thanks.

[Lupin]

Harlequin rasboras will be fine along with some deep-bodied tetras, corydoras, rams, apistos and plecos.

Here are some choices of tetras. Please take note I did not include some fish as these are either nippy or prone to predation.
Black Neon Tetra(Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi)
Black Phantom Tetra(Megalamphodus megalopterus)
Black Skirt Tetra(Gymnocorymbus ternetzi)
Bleeding Heart Tetra(Hyphessobrycon erythrostigma)
Diamond Tetra(Moenkhausia pittieri)
Emperor Tetra(Nematobrycon palmeri)
Glass Bloodfin(Prionobrama filigera)
Head-and-Tail-Light(Hemigrammus ocellifer)
Jewel Tetra(Hyphessobrycon callistus)
Lemon Tetra(Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis)
Penguin tetra(Thayeria boehlkei)
Red Phantom Tetra(Hyphessobrycon sweglesi)
Robert's Tetra(Hyphessobrycon robertsi)
Rosy Tetra(Hyphessobrycon bentosi)
Rummy-Nose Tetra(Hemigrammus bleheri)
Rummy-Nose Tetra(Hemigrammus rhodostomus)
Rummy-Nose Tetra(Petitella georgiae)
Silver-tipped Tetra(Hasemania nana)
X-ray Tetra(Pristella maxillaris)

[rey1rey]

red fin sharks or albino red fin sharks mix well. and loaches...

also,, a school of cardinal tetras go very well to help have motion in the tank....

[Lupin]

red fin sharks or albino red fin sharks mix well. and loaches...

also,, a school of cardinal tetras go very well to help have motion in the tank....
Which loach species are you referring to? The name is rather broad. Botiine loaches are often very inquisitive and may attempt to nip. Not worth stressing the fish. Labeos are another concern.

Cardinal tetras will eventually go into the digestive system of the angelfish.

[rey1rey]

sorry clown loaches....

on the cardinals.... if they are small..they will be consumed, I am assuming 1 inch or larger cardinals....

sorry.... thanks for the clarifying questions

[wataugachicken]

if i were you, i would only go with one single angelfish and 2 medium groups of tetras (8-10 each) plus a group of 6-7 cories for the bottom. i kept four angels in a 55g for about 8 months and grew them out from half-dollar sized to almost adult sized. they chased and fought with each other in the 55g constantly once they started to mature and they still do it in the 150g 5ft long tank they are in now. while the water volume of your tank is enough to support a handful of angels, the actual space to escape from each other and lay low is very limited.

clown loaches would be a poor choice for your tank as they will eventually grow to a foot long or more. it happens slowly, but it will happen.

[Hooked Newbie]

Clown loaches get way too big to keep in a proper group in a 50. About the only loaches I'd personally try with angels would be Yoyos, but they may get nippy as Lupin said. I'd add cories along with the tetras personally.

[jpappy789]

I also wouldnt peronally mix a "shark" with angels as well. Too much risk imo with their personalities.

I too would go with corys and tetras :)

[davexstumpe]

no sharks, clown loaches would eventually get too big

[rey1rey]

though the size of the loaches comes to mind... most new fish keepers will eventually get a larger tank or ridthemselves of larger fish in exchange for the smaller versions.

In best case scenerios.. if someone has the loaches for the period of time it takes them to grow to a foot...they will not mind getting a larger tank, they will want to and hence the size of the fish will help move them towards that decision...

I appreciate people are concerned of the eventual size of the fish in most tanks...reality is that most aquarist do not keep fish long enough to see true size potential in the fish they initial purchase..... so enjoy them while they are young...

[Hooked Newbie]

though the size of the loaches comes to mind... most new fish keepers will eventually get a larger tank or ridthemselves of larger fish in exchange for the smaller versions.

In best case scenerios.. if someone has the loaches for the period of time it takes them to grow to a foot...they will not mind getting a larger tank, they will want to and hence the size of the fish will help move them towards that decision...

I appreciate people are concerned of the eventual size of the fish in most tanks...reality is that most aquarist do not keep fish long enough to see true size potential in the fish they initial purchase..... so enjoy them while they are young...

I like and choose to believe that those concerned enough to be here are not "most aquarists". I fully plan of seeing every fish I purchase die of old age. Of course fish do die, but to plan on failure is to invite it.

That said, If responsibly kept and eventually responsibly adopted out I could agree with your position. The problem is that I see alot of people that go with bad initial advice with the best of intentions and they are eventually faced with frustrating choices which usually punish only the fish. See craigslist. I recently saw a 29G with an Oscar, 3 Clown Loaches, and a Pleco (all 6" +).

[rey1rey]

i agree with you completely..Hooked... people do start with bad advice on certain fish... especially with Poor Oscars.... I have three...about a foot long each....

However, if the person that started the thread provided feedback as to what they were eventually going to get - then q1uantities and size come into play... I would not have them purchase large Loaches, 3 small ones would last in that tanks for well over 2 years and thrive... after that there would be concern to get them moved..... on the angels...and the behavior I see,,, well...the angesl are mid water swimmers while the loaches are bottom dwellers... they will also keep the tank very clean helping the over all health of the angels..... they would not interfere with breeding habits either....so you would have a fuller tank..... in the sense of viewing fish equal with water and plants...

and I will say that you are more likely not the majority.... the majority of people whether on this site of others...will go one way or another....

they will embrace the hobby for what is it...or will rid themselves of the burden they see it as... sorry to say that outloud....but people get bored very easily...

hope that helps a little with my view...

love the fish while you can...enjoy them.... help promote the hobby... share what you know... hopefully others will follow your joy!

[slthoeny]

I am thinking about trying four angels [knowing it may not work out, but I could always set up another tank:)] But I would really like a nice angel set up. So do you think I may be able to pull of four angels? My LFS which is generally pretty good seems to think it would work. Anyway what about the following:

4 angels
3 ottos (maybe more)
8-12 harlequin rasboras
maybe some cories
and a few livebearers or a school of something else.

Am I imagining this tall 50 is actually a 120? Dreaming I have room for more than I do:) I like platys, but do not want a ton of fry. Would the angels keep that in check? When I first started a tank everywhere I read said that guppies would eat there young. While I do not doubt that, there were still so many left. We had guppies everywhere. That was the end of my livebearers.

Thanks so much for the feedback. I want this to be a success, and there is nothing like experience to help make that possible. Since I do not have it, I appreciate yours.

[Lupin]

The new plan is fine.:) Your angelfish, rasboras and maybe some tetras for the last slot will keep the population in check. Try Moenkhausia pittieri which is qutie stunning to look at. Guppies do eat their fry but not as much as others do.

[Hooked Newbie]

:iagree:

The new plan looks good and the angels should definitely provide population control.


I am thinking about trying four angels [knowing it may not work out, but I could always set up another tank:)]

MTS Alert! lol

[rey1rey]

should look good with color variations!!! And the tiny fry will help keep the Angels nice and fat... no need to buy live foods for them as long as you keep your platies and misc healthy...save in money and gain in quality

thanks for the ears!