In this article, we will understand the relationship between Angelfish and Corydoras. We will also know more about their requirements and explain if they can be set up together in a community tank.
Angelfish and Corydoras
Angelfish are very popular fish species in freshwater aquariums. This is due to their fancy look and low effort to maintain them. Also, they are less aggressive than other Cichlid species. Their swimming behaviour also gets some attention as they are graceful. They are awesome additions to a fish tank.
Corydoras or Cory catfish are also very popular fish in freshwater tanks. They are great additions to community tanks as they are very peaceful and hardy. There are several types of Cory catfish. They vary in size and colour. They also do not require lots of effort to be kept and are beginner-friendly.
Angelfish
Angelfish are great fish to keep in a community freshwater tank. Although, as a Cichlid, they can get somehow aggressive towards tankmates. Thus, the choice of tankmates should be careful.
Angelfish grow o average around 10 inches tall and 6 inches long. They can live up to 10-12 years if in ideal conditions with a balanced diet and no stress.
Behaviour
As Cichlids, Angelfish can get quite aggressive towards tankmates or potential threats. However, they are one of the most peaceful Cichlids. Additionally, if tankmates are small enough, they can devour them.
Thus, some suitable tankmates would be Corydoras, Rasboras, Tetras, and Gouramis. Keep in mind that it would be safer to keep some medium-sized tankmates to avoid Angelfish attacks.
Requirements
Angelfish are easy to be kept and do not require lots of attention regarding their tank requirements and parameters. pH should be between 6.8 and 7.8, with hardness between 3° and 8° dKH. The temperature should be between 78 and 84 degrees Fahrenheit. It is also important to keep a good filtration system and schedule water changes every two weeks.
Corydoras
Corydoras or Cory catfish, similarly to Angelfish, are very popular among aquarists. They are very peaceful and do not show aggressive behaviours in any context. Thus, they can live very well in community tanks. They are small fish that can grow up to 2.5 inches in length. They are considered armoured fish, as they are covered by bony plates that give the armour look.
Behaviour
Corydoras are very social schooling fish. They enjoy being in groups of at least 5 individuals. They live on the bottom of the tank and spend most of their time looking for some food. They are more active during the day, although they can explore and swim around during the night.
There are many types of Cory catfish and, additionally to their size and colour variations, they vary temperament, with some types shier and less active than others.
Cory catfish feed on the bottom of the tank, thus, pellets and bottom feeder tablets are nice for them. As they feed on the bottom, they can help with the tank cleanliness, once they can get some of the left-overs. However, it is important not to base their diet only o leftovers. Like any other fish, they also require some attention regarding their diet.
Requirements
Cory catfish do not require a lot of space in a tank. However, they can live happier and healthier in larger tanks. As for schooling fish, it is important to have plenty of space to keep at least 5 Cory catfish individuals. It is also important to keep in mind the tank size to not have an overpopulated tank.
Cory catfish also appreciate gravel or other substrates, as they are bottom dwellers, something around 2 inches on the tank bottom. Cory catfish also enjoy having plenty of live plants in the tank. They can use them as hiding spots and cover during resting periods. Even though they are not active in the water column, they also enjoy rocks and decorations to explore.
Corydoras can adjust to a wide range of water parameters. Although they would do better in pH ranging between 7.0 and 7.8, and temperatures ranging between 72 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit.
However they can adjust to different conditions, it is important to keep the stability of water parameters. The shifts in conditions can cause stress and health issues.
Additionally, it is also important to keep now Nitrite and Ammonia levels. Cory catfish can become susceptible to diseases under poor water conditions. To reduce this risk, it is necessary to stir up the tank bottom during cleaning and, thus, remove any chance of bacterial growth.
Can I keep Corydoras with Angelfish?
YES, Corydoras and Angelfish are very compatible and live very healthy in a community tank. Due to the Cory catfish temperament and tank distribution, they are hardly going to meet up with an Angelfish.
Additionally, both species do not offer threats to each other, which would not drive the Angelfish to become aggressive towards the Corydoras. Their compatibility does not end in temperament characteristics. They also fit their tank requirements. They are both tropical species that enjoy the same temperature range and other water parameters.
It is important to present both species while the Angelfish is still young. This is because the size difference would not become an issue, as it will understand the Cory catfish as tankmates and not food.
Corydoras top tankmates
Cory catfish are very peaceful and their ideal tankmates would also be non-aggressive peaceful fish species. Other catfish types are great tankmates, as well as some Angelfish, Tetras, and Swordtails.
Species other than fish can also make awesome Corydoras’ tankmates, as the Amano shrimp, Red Cherry shrimp, Gold Inca snails, Ivory snails, Rabbit snail, and Nerite snails.
Cory catfish should not be kept with aggressive Cichlids as they can hurt the Corydoras.
Conclusion
In this article, we understood the relationship between Angelfish and Corydoras. We also discussed their requirements and explained if they can be set up together in a community tank.
If you have any thoughts or doubts, feel free to drop us in a comment below!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Angelfish and Corydoras
Will Angelfish eat Pigmy Corydoras?
Not necessarily, it will depend on the way they were set up in the tank. If your Angelfish was presented to the Pigmy Corydoras while young, it is possible that they will not be a threat. However, if you present the Pigmy Corydoras to an adult large Angelfish, it may consider the small Corydoras as prey.
What fish live well with Corydoras?
Peaceful and social fish are the greater tankmates to Cory catfish. Tetras, Angelfish, and Swordtails are nice tankmates to Corydoras.
Is one Cory catfish enough?
Cory catfish are very social schooling fish. Although they can live well lonely, they prefer having a group of at least 5 individuals. They normally rest and swim synced.
Can you put Cory catfish with Angelfish?
Yes, they are very good tankmates. It is important to present the Angelfish while young than the size difference would not be an issue at all.
What temperature do Angelfish like?
Although Angelfish can be quite adjustable fish, they prefer temperatures ranging between 78 and 84 degrees Fahrenheit and pH between 6.8 and 7.8, with hardness from 3° to 8° dKH.
Do Angelfish like current?
No, Angelfish do not enjoy strong current. They enjoy swimming softly and very slowly in the water column. Thus, it is important to have a soft filtration system.
References
Jaznet. 2017. Angelfish & Cory Cats Living In Harmony. https://www.myaquariumclub.com/angelfish-cory-cats-living-in-harmony-1031080.html
Jason. 2017. 15 Great Angelfish Tankmates (Complete Compatibility Guide). https://www.buildyouraquarium.com/angelfish-tank-mates/
Cory Catfish: Care, Diet, Size & Lifespan – Video. https://www.aquariumcarebasics.com/freshwater-aquarium-fish/cory-catfish/
Robert. 2019. Angelfish Care & Species Guide. https://www.fishkeepingworld.com/freshwater-angelfish/
