How Best To Source An Angelfish Pair

[Mcbenthy]

I'm in the process of setting up a 50G tank, 36"x18"x24" (lxwxh) and would like 2 Angelfish as the centerpiece fish.

I'm aware that they should be kept solo, pairs or larger groups, and my tank simply can't hold a large group (6+) of adult angel fish, there isn't the space to dissapait aggression. I also don't want to keep a solo Angel as I feel that is unfair on a fish that is well known for being social.

My curiosity is whether I could get 6 young angels, and then thin them out by returning the 4 that I don't want once a hierarchy is sorted and a pair develops. Is my tank big enough for that from a purely space PoV, not including issues keeping water quality etc?

If not, where am I best looking to get a young adult pair of bonded Angels, preferably wild type??

Cheers

 

[ZoddyZod]

the 6 juvi plan would work in that tank. Would probably be cheaper than getting a mated pair as well. You might even be able to make a profit by selling back as adults to a private buyer.

I picked up 6 juvis (50p size) at £3 per fish. Full size adults can easily go for £15 in the shops.

 

[Mcbenthy]

the 6 juvi plan would work in that tank. Would probably be cheaper than getting a mated pair as well. You might even be able to make a profit by selling back as adults to a private buyer.

I picked up 6 juvis (50p size) at £3 per fish. Full size adults can easily go for £15 in the shops.

Fair enough. I would like a few other opinions though, Have had one on the tropical discussion board when I first mentioned my stocking saying thatit was very risky...

Would I be best getting the 6 after I add the majority of the other fish (Cardinals/rummynose, Hatchet Fish, Cories and either some Rams or Aspistos)??

 

[ApistoNut]

i have a lovely pair of angels, they are black, white and orange marbled they havnt spawned yet but they are definatly pairing up together and ushing my 2 other angels out.
i live in bristol if your interested

 

[ApistoNut]

i also have some apistos for sale

 

[snowflake311]

Buy or get a proven pair or start with 6. When fish pick their mate things go smoother IME.

 

[Mcbenthy]

i have a lovely pair of angels, they are black, white and orange marbled they havnt spawned yet but they are definatly pairing up together and ushing my 2 other angels out.
i live in bristol if your interested

Thanks for the offer, but I am still quite a way off buying fish

Buy or get a proven pair or start with 6. When fish pick their mate things go smoother IME.

I would prefer to start with 6, I'd like to be a part of the journey from as close to 'day one' as possible, so-to-speak.

To re-ask a earlier question, if I got 6, would I be better adding them before or after the rest of the stocking? Or can I add the rest of the stocking at such a rate that havign the 6 in there or not will be no problem. I'm just concerned about when they start picking territories..

 

[Greg_DS]

Just keep visiting the LFS, chances are you'll see a noticeable pair eventually, I done that very thing and have a happy couple.

 

[snowflake311]

Since you would starting with young fish I do t think it matters much if you add them first or after. But if you really want to breed them and get fry you will want the pair in their own tank with no other fish. A pair of angles don't act like angles. They get mean.

 

[Mcbenthy]

Since you would starting with young fish I do t think it matters much if you add them first or after. But if you really want to breed them and get fry you will want the pair in their own tank with no other fish. A pair of angles don't act like angles. They get mean.

Please can you expand on this? I wouldn't be adding other large fish, it would be tetras/hatchet fish to act as dithers. I know they will still make a play for the fry, but I'm not that fussed about raising fry, maybe later on I will, but not right now.