Angels

[Tempestuousfury]

I read a few times in posts that angels have been known to eat neon tetras? Assess the validity of this statement.

 

[ingusmat]

Angels' natural food in the wild is neon tetras.

It would be like putting you in a small room with a porterhouse and a budweiser and saying, "now you three be friends... I'll see you when I get back from work!"

 

[Tempestuousfury]

Good. So my advice has been accurate. Thanks.

 

[ramesses]

I know what you say about neons being natural food to the angels,but my neons get along just fine with my angelfish.I must say my angels grew up alongside neons,so they are very used to them.I also have some ramis and all three diferent types of fish will feed next to each other.You should see how crazy they get when is lunch time.
I have seen the angels attack one another,but never a rami or a neon,.Little fishies a lot smallers than the escalares never fear them.Could it be 'cause there is plenty of room to swim away?Donno.But I will support the thought of not having neons and angels together.

 

[heresmike]

Yes, it depends on who you ask as to whether or not angels and neons can live together. I've heard more say than

 

[Nix]

ramesses think of it this waay... In the wild angels grow up around neons and when they get older they still see them as foood. So what would be the differnce?
Also in the wild i think they have more space than your fish tank so that also must not be a a factor, I think the more domesticated (captive breed) angels are less likly to attack a neon/ small fish than a new wild generation, BUT I have two angels (young) in a 29gallon, they have ate, 1 male guppy, and a hatchetfish (differnt occasions) One is marble the other.. I'm not sure but its not really wild lookin, Anywho, they got the guppy as soon as i tossed him in. The hatchetfish had been in the tank for a loooong time, then one day i sa the bigger of the two angels chasing it and then herded it in the direction of a piece of driftwood, then the other angel popped up from behind the log and grabbed the hatchetfish.. They beat the crap outta him and ate him.. So Be warned!

 

[ramesses]

Hi Nix,I am not argueing whether or not the angels will eat the neons,as a matter of fact I said...." I will support the thought of not having angels and neons together".What I said was that maybe because my angels came as such a small size,around the size of a nickel,and they encountered the grown neons already in my 55 gallon,they do not bother them.You said something to the fact of having your angelfish already in the tank and then you introduced the guppies.Well,I think that may be the problem,not being used to see small fish as part of their environment.
Also you mention having a 29 gallon,that's a bit smaller than mine.I believe that matters simply 'cause in tighter quarters it's easier for the bigger fish to catch the smaller one.And...yes in the wild they have more space and they do eat the neons,but the difference is that in my tank they do not have to hunt,they seldom see feeding fish.The only real food they will ever see is frozen one.They simply wait for me to give them some food.And oh yeah,they love destroying my plants.
I will agree though that one has to be careful with these two species,as the angels keep growing they might see the little ones as chicken nuggets

 

[flea]

my angels were by far the biggest in the tank and my neons were constantly harassing them, nipping there fins whenever they could. made me feel sorry for the angels being beaten up by th smallest fish in the tank

 

[Doggfather]

the natrual diet of angel in the wild is neons but many people have succesfully kept the 2 fish together if they have been in a tank together from a young age

 

[Fiddlesticks]

My angel spent the first half of her life with neons and never even nipped at them.They were placed in teh tank at the same time though. But she is a real gentle fish. She wont even nip back when the rainbows shes with now occasionally nip her. I think it may have something to do with the opening of the hood too. Think about it. Every day you open the hood on the tank and drop the food in. Today you open the hood and drop in little fish. Angel says"oh dinner time yaaaaay" But when they are added to the tank as little angels, and at the same time I dont see how they would bother with the neons. Every fish is different though.

 

[tstenback]

I have to say yes they eat neons, rather well actually

BUT

I have found that if you add neons to the tank first and give them a week or so to get acclimated. Then add small (1 inch or less) angels then the problem is almost a non-issue. i have several tanks now and have had many more over time with this combination and i have lost very few neons in the process. The other factor is high water quality. Angels seem to be more aggressive towoard the neons if the water is not up to snuff.

So, yes. you have always given good advice in this area and all others as well. Just keep in mind that this relationship can be done with great success. It is one of my favorite views in a tank to see the angels and neons together. It is a picture of grace, strength and color.