Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare) 30 gal suitable tank mates?

[Ruskie]

Hello
I have tall 30 gallon tank (2' length, 2' height, 12" wide) and I will be adding lots of plants to it with a 96W light.
Anyway I have one Pterophyllum scalare (marble) in the tank with bare gravel and I need some ideas about other tankmates after I get the plants taken care off.

One of my ideas is to just have a pair of angels

Or one angel and some type of school of fish
But what? Cardinals? What kind of tetras are suitable?
Im looking for South American fish only.

Thanks

 

[waldo12]

IMO the tank is too small in length for a pair of angels, so I'd go with the other option. The common type of tetras sold, like cardinals (might work with adults and a bigger tank), neons, and glowlights are too small and will be eaten very easily in smaller tanks as the angel reaches adulthood. Larger tetras such as Red-eye tetras (not sure if 2' is enough swimming space for them) or lemon tetras (not that large, just their shape makes them hard to swallow ) A school of around 7 or 8 would be fine. Cories would also make a good addition to a South American setup, they're great bottom feeders. A school of 5 or so would fully stock the tank.

 

[Ruskie]

IMO the tank is too small in length for a pair of angels, so I'd go with the other option. The common type of tetras sold, like cardinals (might work with adults and a bigger tank), neons, and glowlights are too small and will be eaten very easily in smaller tanks as the angel reaches adulthood. Larger tetras such as Red-eye tetras (not sure if 2' is enough swimming space for them) or lemon tetras (not that large, just their shape makes them hard to swallow ) A school of around 7 or 8 would be fine. Cories would also make a good addition to a South American setup, they're great bottom feeders. A school of 5 or so would fully stock the tank.

Thats what I thought
Thanks for the advice :thm:

 

[waldo12]

No problem Oh if you don't want cories, you could also get either 1 bristlenose or a group of otos (both will help control algae as well).

 

[Ruskie]

No problem Oh if you don't want cories, you could also get either 1 bristlenose or a group of otos (both will help control algae as well).

I like cories and im gonna get em:grinyes:
lemon tetras look cool and so does the red eyed tetra
Are there any other Characins that will be okay with the angel?

 

[waldo12]

Maybe Emperor tetras, or diamond tetras. Both are a bit picky in water conditions. Black Skirts are the right size, but they can be a bit overly active and nippy at times. Or you good go for some smaller species of hatchetfish. Don't know much about those though, and even a 2' tank might be a bit too small for them.

 

[Kalen]

I have a breeding pair of angels in a 30 gallon and have had no problems what-so-ever. They both are beautifully colored, have a voracious appetite, and spawn approx. every 7-14 days. However, if you do not have a mated pair and intend on just putting two angels together in a 30gl then you will definitely have territory/aggression problems from them. Hope this helps.

 

[Ruskie]

I will have good water quality by the time I get the fish so thats not my big concern
I cant have hatchetfish becuase I will have an open hood
I wish I did have a mate with my angel but you cant figure out whos a male who is a female :huh:

Thanks for the advice im still researchin