Angelfish Stocking in a 45 gallon?

[Kellene]

Hi everyone! I have a 45 gallon tank (36 inches long, 24-ish inches tall, and 12 inches deep) and I am almost ready to add fish. Could I put two angelfish in, or just one? Are angels compatible with dwarf gourami, if they were added into the tank at the same time? I plan on having a moderately or heavily planted tank, by the way. Does anyone have any stocking suggestions? I definitely want at least one angel. I plan on also having peppered Cory cats, and either some female platy or large tetras. Thank you!

 

[Byron]

Angelfish are shoaling fish by nature, meaning that they live in groups and have relationships within the group. A group of at least five angelfish ensures that no one fish is likely to be picked on within the hierarchy, though there is no guarantee. Five angelfish means a larger tank, at least four feet in length. So I would not go this route here.

As for two angelfish, this will usually only work if they are a bonded pair. With angelfish, the fish must select their mates; a male and female thrown together by the aquarist may work, but most often it results in a dead fish. Determining male/female is not easy anyway, and two males is a certain recipe for disaster; females sometimes live together, sometimes not. I would not have two unless they have bonded. To determine this, you have to observe them carefully in the tank of the group.

As for a single angelfish, some do have luck with this. I don't personally recommend it simply because it is contrary to what the fish is programmed to expect and live with, and I am against keeping fish like this. Stress may cause the fish to become more aggressive, which could spell trouble for the other fish in the tank.

Angelfish and gourami are not a good mix, unless the tank is very large. Males of both species are very similar, territorial. Again, some do this regardless and say it seems to work, but it is a risk best avoided. If you do decide on a single angelfish regardless, I would not have gourami.

Leaving out angels, this is a tank suited to Pearl Gourami. This is rather a peaceful species, and one or two males with three or four females should make a nice display. There are a number of smaller fish that would work too.

Byron.

 

[FroFro]

While I've had luck with my angels, I'd go with Byron on this one. Plus angels can get fairly large and a group of five (as byron suggests) would outgrow a 45 gallon community tank.

 

[Munroco]

While I agree with the previous posts, in that size of tank, you could put around 6 juvenile angels. Its fairly easy to spot a pair that have bonded before they get too large. As long as you are prepared to rehome the others then it should be relatively easy to keep a pair of angels.