Angelfish in 40 gallon community tank?

[TNG]

122 X 38 X 45 cm

If you future tank is 122cmx38cmx45cm, then it's about 200 litres or 45 UK Gal or 55 US Gal - not 40 Gal.

 

[Byron]

Can you give us a run down on angelfish in aquariums?
eg: minimum tank size, numbers.

My first observation is that angelfish are a shoaling species. But here we have something quite different from say characins, or cyprinids. There has to be a group sufficient to avoid stress, but there is the added difficulty that this is a cichlid and the males are territorial. I would consider from my research that five or six is absolute minimum. But to be fair to the fish, there should be double or more. They have been observed to form shoals of roughly 30, but this is in the expanse of a stream or flooded forest. This means a very large tank, because pairs are likely to form, and the other angelfish won't stand much of a chance unless the tank is sufficient in size, and even then it may not work. I do not believe in keeping fish that cannot be provided with what they expect. That is simply inhumane. The stress we cause fish is the reason behind much of the disease issues.

This video is worth considering. The group of 11 angelfish are in peace. Yes, there is jockeying for position, but that is normal and circumstances must provide for it. I've forgotten the tank dimensions, but the poster down in the comments says he thinks they are due for a significantly larger tank.

Edit. Forgot to mention that a bonded breeding pair is a very different thing. Depending upon their size, this tank might suite them, alone.

 

[WhistlingBadger]

My first observation is that angelfish are a shoaling species. But here we have something quite different from say characins, or cyprinids. There has to be a group sufficient to avoid stress, but there is the added difficulty that this is a cichlid and the males are territorial. I would consider from my research that five or six is absolute minimum. But to be fair to the fish, there should be double or more. They have been observed to form shoals of roughly 30, but this is in the expanse of a stream or flooded forest. This means a very large tank, because pairs are likely to form, and the other angelfish won't stand much of a chance unless the tank is sufficient in size, and even then it may not work. I do not believe in keeping fish that cannot be provided with what they expect. That is simply inhumane. The stress we cause fish is the reason behind much of the disease issues.

This video is worth considering. The group of 11 angelfish are in peace. Yes, there is jockeying for position, but that is normal and circumstances must provide for it. I've forgotten the tank dimensions, but the poster down in the comments says he thinks they are due for a significantly larger tank.

Edit. Forgot to mention that a bonded breeding pair is a very different thing. Depending upon their size, this tank might suite them, alone.

Nice video! That's exactly the kind of behavior I observe in my 150g. They constantly take pokes at each other, but nothing gets out of hand. Individuals or pairs kind of drift away from the group when they've had enough, then come back when they feel like socializing again. There is no chasing or intent to harm.

 

[Ram419]

If it's worth anything, I have two Angles in a 55 gallon community tank. They act much in the same way as what's shown in the video while occasionally chasing away other tanks mates. The tank isn't overstocked and fairly well planted and some decor has hiding spots as well.

It would be more ideal if there were more Angles and less other types of fish probably. But you then have to watch out for breeding bahaviours as well if you have both sexes.

Smaller fish are probably best to not have in same tank as Angles.

 

[Crystal90]

I'll throw in my 2 cents. I have a 40g and had 2 angels for a few years. They seemed to get along. One died and the 2nd did fine with corys, tetras, rasboras. She lived over 5 years but died recently. I'll probably stay with just 1 angel.

 

[Obsessed with fish]

I will probably get pearl gourami as a centerpiece instead of angelfish, just in case they angelfish eat my tetras. Thanks for you help guys!

 

[WhistlingBadger]

I will probably get pearl gourami as a centerpiece instead of angelfish, just in case they angelfish eat my tetras. Thanks for you help guys!

Good choice--one of my all-time favorite fish. Get a male and two or three females, and put in some floating plants.

 

[Obsessed with fish]

Good choice--one of my all-time favorite fish. Get a male and two or three females, and put in some floating plants.

Sounds good, I have tons of floating hornwort in my 25 gallon that I can transfer to my 40 gallon