Can an angel fish live in a 10 gal tank?

[OrkyBetta]

The rule of one inch of fish per gallon should apply to the inches in an angelfish, right? I've heard people say that they should be in a 15 gallon or more. I've never gotten a clear answer on this, any help?

 

[LoachLover]

I say they should be in a tank 30 gallons at least for them to be happy.

 

[OrkyBetta]

Ok, i figured they were a pickier sort of fish. I just got my first tank today, and am in the process of cycling it. Sorry, I feel like such a newbie All I have currently is a male betta and an african dwarf, both in 1 gallons, which isnt really enough. I really love angelfish, but they do not seem to apply to the one ich of fish per gallon rule.

 

[dwarfgourami]

The one inch per gallon rule should always come with the proviso that this applies to slim-bodied fish (like tetras or guppies) only. When you are talking tall fish like angelfish or stocky fish like plecos, you need to weigh that into the equation; their body mass is actually a lot greater than a slim fish of the same length. It is also kinder to allow more swimming space to the fast swimmers like danios. And of course territorial fish may need a lot of space.

 

[Macracantha]

Many years ago I had a pair of angels living and breeding in a 10 gal...Fish of that size need more room tho, so I wouldn't keep them in a small tank today! They will spawn in a breeding tank of that size tho!!!

 

[sunflower]

Angels require a tank of at least 18" high also in order for them to be able to grow to their full potential.

 

[Teelie]

Yeah, IMO a minimum of 30 gallons and 18" high should be for Angels. Personally I'd at least double that for myself as I'd probably try to breed them.

 

[sylvia]

Now this is why I refuse to call the 'inch per gallon GUIDELINE' a 'rule' . The thing is that, whilst it first of all, in theory, only applies to small, slim bodied-fish, non-aggressive, non-territorial fish, it doesn't necessarily even apply to them... I mean, you can't keep neon tetras in a 2 gallon tank - that's cause they need to be in a school of 6 or more. You also can't keep 5 zebra danios in a 10 gallon - that's because their activity level makes them a fish suitable only for a 20 gallon tank or more. Similarly, you can't keep 2 opaline gouramies in a 10 gallon - and that's because they'll kill each other Just like 2 bettas won't work together in a 4 gallon and why you can't keep a couple of male guppies and a betta in a 5 gallon (bettas don't usualy like guppies much) etc etc...