recommend good partner for angel

momtank

AC Members
Dec 14, 2008
23
0
0
southeast Wisconsin
We are slowly stocking our tank, and the main center fish will be an angel. My LFS warns that fish species (excluding schooling fish) should be stocked singly, or as 3 or more (2 of one species is often trouble for aggression). How much room do you need for 3 angels? I think we might be better with 1 angel and 1 of some other center swimming ornamental fish (but that is why I am asking for advise). I was thinking bolivian ram because I've read good things about them, but would love to hear suggestions from others with an angel in their tropical community tank.
So what do you have in your tank that swims well and gets along well with your angel? Thank you for your suggestions.
 
With 3 angels more likely than not you'll end up with a breeding pair and a lone angel who will get picked on. Generally it's either one or a true pair for most tank sizes. You can try a group of juveniles but once they mature and pair up you would run into problems.

Angels always seem to do well with "larger" tetras (anthing but neons), corys, and dwarf cichlids (rams/apistos) depending on the tank size...

Btw, what is the tank size?
 
I have a non breeding pair with dwarfs,Ram,Keyhole,Krib,a school of 6 Harlequin Rasboras,and 5 Otos.
 
Your tanks size will be the largest determining factor. If you have a breeding pair you need a minimum of a 20H just for the pair with no other fish. A breeding pair of angels can be very aggressive.
 
Provided the tank is large enough, You could have most small schooling tetras (Not Neons unless you don't want them for long), rasboras, Ottos, Small Plecos (Clowns, Bristlenose, etc.) Apple snails. Most peaceful community fish get along quite well with angels. Watch out for fin nippers as they love to torture angels.
 
I would be hesitant to add otocinclus and snails.. mine love these.
 
I love cories with my angel, well, I just love cories. Angels are just far too sophisticated to eat anything that drops below their nose so they work great together.
 
That is interesting, mine never pay ottos or snails much attention at all.


you would think with the defense mechanism the Oto deploys this would be the case. but there is quite a bit of documentation displaying incidents where Angels will try to eat anything that fits in their mouth.
since oto's stay relatively small. some never getting much larger than 1 3/4" they are targeted.
in my case 6 oto's in a 55 with 4 angels..within a week..0 oto's and a couple fat angels.
 
Last edited:
AquariaCentral.com