Angelfish Bully

[Tw3lv3]

Hi guys,
I am new to the hobby and i have got 2 angel fish and 1 siamese fighter and i have had them just over a week. For the first few days they all got on great but the last 2 days the largest of the angel fish keeps bullying the other angelfish and the siamese fighter ramming into them and nipping at them, The smaller angelfish and the siamese fighter get on really well tho sometimes it even seems like they are playing together... I dont know wether its how the smaller fish are getting on that is causing the larger angel's behaviour but im thinking about taking it back to the shop where i got them from and i was wondering wether or not to keep the smaller angelfish or will it start to behave like the larger 1 once it is removed from the tank?

Im really confused about what to do so any input would be greatly appreciated,

Thanks, Tw3lv3.

 

[mancin]

What size tank? Is the tank cycled? Doesn't sound like there are enough fish in the tank to spread out the aggression, so unfortunately the weaker Angel is taking the brunt of it. Also, if it's a small tank, it's possible they don't have enough room to themselves.

 

[Tw3lv3]

I have got a 50 litre tank at the moment i know it is not big enough for a fully grown angel fish but at the moment the biggest 1 is only 1 1/4 inch's tall so it will do while i save for the bigger tank i want.. on the brighter side of things they seem to be ok today all playing nice together i dont know if the fish that were getting bullied stood up for themselves or something but ill keep a close eye on them thanks for replying.

 

[Phage]

I don't think bettas and angels are recommended to keep together. One or the other might not like each others long fins. However I've never kept the two together, maybe another person has input.

They might just be establishing dominance and unfortunately there is only 2 other fish to take on the aggression. For angels, it is recommended to have 1, 2 as a mating pair, or 5/6+. 50 liters is kinda small.. what size are you looking at in the future? 18" tall, I believe, is the minimum height one should keep an angel.

 

[Tw3lv3]

the tank im saving up for is a 240 litre here is the link if you want to have a look

http/www.aquariumsdelivered.co.uk/catalo...lver-p-809.html

should have enough in a couple of months so hopefully they wont have grown too much before then lol

I only had 3 to begin with so the tank can get cycled without putting the fish through too much stress ect i will be getting some new fish to add to the community tommorrow... have you got any suggestions for fish that would suit the angels and fighter?

 

[Faythee]

If the tank isn't cylcled...DO NOT add anymore fish at this point. It will cause ammonia/nitrite spikes and death. Are you testing the water ?

Fighters do not typically go with Angels. Do you have a lot of decor in there for hiding spots ?

 

[graceofbass]

I've kept bettas and angels together quite often, and I had one pair that always swam right next to each other like they were friends. I've found that it depends on the temperament of the individual fish. Sometimes they need to duke out who is the dominant fish, and after a few days all is well, or sometimes one is just a bully. Like you said, you might need to return the larger angel or like mancin said get a bigger tank. I've also kept neon tetras, rasboras, plecos, corydoras and otocinclus in the same tank as an angel and betta with little to no conflict (although not all types at the same time).

 

[leeandstacie]

I too have kept a betta in with two angel fish and they were peacefull for a couple of months and one angel became aggressive to the other and the betta
I rehomed the betta and they angels started breeding almost straight away
I read that angels will chase one another and it looks quite agressive before breeding and I put attacking the betta down to the angel thinking it had competition

Cheers

 

[Tw3lv3]

Thankyou for giving me your expierences guys. Just a quick update the angelfish and the betta duked it out tonight and they all seem to be getting on fine now there arent any injurys as far as i can tell only the angelfish's pride... how long it will last i dont know but hopefully there wont be anymore conflict for a while

 

[Faythee]

Hmmmm.....interesting because I have considered putting my Betta in my Angel tank as I really want to do away with that tank. Maybe I will try it.

Tw3lv3, yes they are probably establishing their own territories. If things have calmed down you are probably okay. Just keep an eye out. As far as fish with Angels I have kept Rasboras, Corydoras, Swordtails, a Bristlenose Pleco and Rams with no problems. With Angels you basically do not want any fin nippers such as some of the Barbs. I would hold off on it though if your tank isn't fully cycled.

 

[dood]

I have a beta with two now large angels.They have been together for over a year now,no problems at all.They also share the tank with a golden puffer[cool],and a chinese algae eater,also a few guppies.

 

[Faythee]

Well you people amaze me as I have had problems with fish that are supposed to be compatible ! Must be my luck...LOL

 

[Tw3lv3]

lol i guess it is just down to the personalitys of each individual fish