stocking new tank with angelfish

teresa33

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Jun 6, 2006
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I have just set up a 54 gallon corner bowfront tank and want to stock it with marbled angels and koi angelfish. How many would be recommended for this size tank? I have a Ehiem ECCO filter on the tank and will be adding plants soon. Also, I would like to add a few german rams and cory cats. Any help would be appreciated.
 
teresa33 said:
I have just set up a 54 gallon corner bowfront tank and want to stock it with marbled angels and koi angelfish. How many would be recommended for this size tank?
Once the tank is cycled, start with six babies. As they grow, you'll notice more aggression. When you see that two seem to be spending more time together and defending each other (even though they may be nippy with each other), net out the other four and return them to the store. Of course, you don't have to take them back if you don't want to — the two angels that have paired off will likely kill off their former schoolmates when they have their first spawn or attempted spawn.

teresa33 said:
Also, I would like to add a few german rams and cory cats.
Those are excellent angel tankmates. I would go with a half-dozen rams and (since you have a bit of space) eight or 10 cories. Another good choice for this tank would be silver hatchetfish, although you should be aware that they have a reputation for being delicate. There is a high mortality rate in the first few weeks because all hatchets are wild-caught and most are handled roughly before they get to the stores.

I assume you'll be keeping the water warm (rams do best around 80ºF, and angels like that fine), so pick a warmth-loving cory species. You could go with multiple species if you wanted, as most cories seem to recognize other species of cory as relatives.
 
The consensus rule for adult angelfish is one for every 10 gallons of water. It tends to be this restricted on the basis of territory. It certainly can, and is often pushed as a rule, but be problems also arise.
 
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