Experienced Angelfish People

[Twinklecaz]

I'm just interested in this for the future really. I know Angelfish get a lot of bad press about how they can be agressive and will eat small fish etc but I also know there's a train of thought that if they grow up from young in a tank with these smaller fish, they'll see them as part of their community and not as food. What I'm asking really is, how many of you have found that to be true? What are your opinions? Are they really as bad as people say?

Also, if I was to buy 2 for my new tank (if and when I ever get it) would I have problems later on if they're not a pair?

 

[mattlee]

in the wild angelfish snack on small tetras so its in their thoughts.... however i have kept angelfish successfully with cardinal tetras, rummynose tetras and larger disc shaped tetras like rosy, colombian etc etc.

smaller tetra species will be at risk once the angels get to a decent size so try to avoid the more torpedo shaped fish like neons etc. cardinal, rummynose are this shape but get that bit bigger so arent as easy to fit in their mouth. this does depend on their age and size though...

2 angels can mean trouble as 1 will become the dominant of the 2. if you get lucky and get a pair then they should be fine but if the tank can hold more then maybe get a small group of 6 young angels and keep a pair if it happens and move the others on. having 2 will more than likely end up with 1 becoming bullied.

 

[Twinklecaz]

Ok thanks. We don't really recommend keeping 1 on it's own do we?

 

[mattlee]

1 may be better than 2 tbh but with most fish more is better if you can get a group of 4 or more this way it will look better, the angels will feel more secure and any fiesty behaviour will be spread out among the group instead of targeting it all at 1 other fish if you had just 2.

you could try and find a breeding pair for sale but if there is no intention of breeding them it could be an expensive buy. also if paired they may be aggressive towards tank mates. if the tank is big enough then this wont be an issue.

 

[ederhak]

i have had angelfish for a while and generelly if you feed them well there not as meen, i used to always get female angels(on accident) i always got black ones, but the newes one i ot is a male altum who is very nice and only bothers my snails, as long as it doesnt fit in its mouth it wont eat it also he doesn't really nip fins, hes an altum maybe its that i dont really know?

 

[Twinklecaz]

Thanks guys. Such a shame they're not "easier" fish as they've always been my favourite really.

 

[mattlee]

they arent difficult fish its pretty much the same with all cichlids tbh