Should I get another angel?

[dixaisy930]

When I bought my original three angels, the lfs lady (whom I trust very much, and have always gotten good information from) suggested I should get either just one, or three or more. She said if there are just two, the bigger one will just pick on the smaller one.

I lost one angel about a month ago because I accidently dropped a tank decoration on him I felt awful, and what made it even worse was one of my other angels would just hide in a big terra cotta pot all day after if happened. She'd just come out and eat a little, then go back in the pot. So two days later, I found another small angel around the other two's size (they are a little bigger than a quarter). And everything went fine, and the one stopped sulking and hiding.

Now, I have a bad bacterial outbreak in my tank, and lost the newest angel to it yesterday morning. After I get the tank treated, and cleared of this problem, should I get another replacement? The same angel is now sulking and hiding in her usual spot. I'm sure it'll be atleast a month before I'll put any new fish in.

P.S. The tank is 60 gallons.

 

[njparton]

I think a tank of that size is good for 4-6 angels. If you're worried about aggression, the more you have the more it will be spread out amongst the smaller fish.

The only thing to worry about with 6 angels will be terratorial disputes if 2 of them pair up and decide to breed.

However, if you tank is planted or has lots of hiding places it should be OK.

 

[dixaisy930]

I have some livebearers and danios (and a few other various small fish) in there as well. Would 4-6 angels be too much?

 

[David]

It is not necessarily true that having just 2 angels will cause problems. I have often had just 2 angels at a time, and they have always got along well. I think that if you have 3 angels 2 may pair up and shun (or worse, pick on) the odd one out. But there are exceptions to every rule and what works for some may not work for others. I think you should always have an even number of angels. However, this is JMHO.

 

[dixaisy930]

Well, what if I was to have four angels? Would there be enough room? Especially, if they happen to form two pairs.....would a sixty gallon be large enough for two pairs, and other various small fish?

 

[David]

Well, what if I was to have four angels? Would there be enough room? Especially, if they happen to form two pairs.....would a sixty gallon be large enough for two pairs, and other various small fish?

60 gallons would be enough for up to 6 angels (3 pairs) or 4 angels and various smaller fish such as livebearers (great source of live food) or cories. The general rule is 10 gallons per angel.

 

[dixaisy930]

Ok, great! Thanks for all of the help!