In this post, we will discuss the topic “How many Angelfish in a 55-gallon tank” and all steps of setting up an Angelfish aquarium.
How many angelfish in a 55-gallon tank
A 55-gallon tank can fit up to 5 Angelfish. Although, when they get fully grown you may need a larger tank with plenty of plants for them to establish their territory and live comfortably.
How to keep freshwater Angelfish
Angelfish are very popular and are commonly found in many aquariums. The Angelfish is scientifically known as the Pterophyllum genus (there are many species in this group) and are members of the Cichlid family.
Once in the aquarium, Angelfish will need little maintenance to be kept alive and active. We will now learn how to best care for your angelfish, tank conditions and their overall behaviour and lifespan.
Angelfish Tank Conditions
Angelfish are native to South America, specifically the Amazon River basin. This means that the tank conditions must be similar to those found in the Amazon. Despite this, these beautiful fish are the easiest to keep because they are strong eaters and fully compatible with many other freshwater fish species.
As such, they do not need a lot of attention from aquarists as they can do better in a wide range of conditions. Here are some Angelfish tank conditions:
Water parameters
When filling up the aquarium, make sure you are using a good quality water source. You can achieve this goal by purchasing water at any local fish shop. The amount of water to fill the aquarium will depend on the tank size, although it can be an intimidating task that may require several gallons.
Choosing to purchase water from a fish store is a manner to ensure it is chlorine-free and follow other water parameters. However, you can take on the task of measuring your tank water pH with the help of a home test kit. This is a very important step, especially if you are unsure of the source of water in the tank.
Wait at least 24 hours before testing the water, as pH levels change after the water is exposed to air. The correct pH level in this case is between 6 and 8. If you find that the water does not have the recommended pH level, you can increase it by adding crushed coral, shells, baking soda, or chemical buffers. On the other hand, you can lower pH levels by adding wood or chemical buffers designed to lower the pH.
Water hardness is also another parameter to be analyzed. Recommended hardness is between 3 and 8 degrees dKH. And the temperature must be kept between 78 and 84 degrees Fahrenheit.
Tank size
Just because Angelfish are smaller in size does not mean they will not grow. These fish can grow to sizes of around 10 inches tall and 6 inches long. That is, you will need a proper tank that can accommodate your Angelfish, mainly when they are fully grown.
Make sure your tank has a capacity of at least 55-gallons for 5-6 Angelfish, or you can opt for a larger one, depending on your budget. Also, the total number of Angelfish in the tank is extremely important when choosing your tank size. Since Angelfish can grow to about 10 inches, you should get a tank that can hold at least 55 gallons or even more.
Water filtration
It is necessary to maintain good water filtration in the tank if you want to ensure that your Angelfish thrive. This is why it is advisable to change at least 10% to 25% of the tank water once or twice a month using a siphon.
The filtration system is important to avoid bacterial and fungi infections. Angelfish often become very sensitive to poor aquarium water quality. These are fish that respond to frequent changes in water. This implies that if filtering is not done properly it could lead to some kind of catastrophe. Additionally, Angelfish fish do not enjoy currents. Thus, having a slow-current filtration system is recommended.
Angelfish food
Typically, Angelfish feed in the water column or on the surface. However, in their natural habitat, they feed on the sandy bottom, looking for earthworms and small crustaceans. As omnivores, Angelfish can be fed with commercial fish foods in flakes, granules, live or frozen foods, and shrimp pellets.
For best results, be sure to feed them alternating their diet daily. Also, feed them amounts that they can finish in 2-3 minutes at most.
Flake food
Flake food for Angelfish can come in diverse arrangements to provide all the required nutrients. For example, there are tropical aquarium flakes that come as natural fish food to feed the Angelfish. This type of commercial flake food is all-natural, which means there is no artificial colouring. In addition, some flakes do not cloud the water, making it a great diet choice for fish in the aquarium.
Some commercial flake food is prepared in small batches to make it easier for your angelfish to feed. Some natural flakes contain some of the key ingredients included to provide a complete and balanced diet for your Angelfish.
Homemade food
In their natural habitat, the Angelfish diet is made up of invertebrates, small fish, and insects. You can replicate this diet in your home. Homemade food will guarantee that your Angelfish will get everything they need from a meal.
This type of food is very economical and much easier to prepare than you might think. In that sense, your homemade food can consist of plant foods such as spinach, seaweed, kale, and lettuce.
Meat is also very important for Angelfish, as they require a protein-rich diet. Thus, inserting some animal protein could be a good choice.
Live or frozen food
Live food is always difficult to obtain in most cases, but worms, small larvae, and shrimp are available at most fish stores. Make sure the source of your live food is reputable, to protect your fish from getting sick.
For frozen foods, you will find earthworms, earthworms, shrimp, and daphnia as the best choices.
Angelfish tank mates
In most cases, Angelfish have a moderate temperament, although they may exhibit aggressive behaviour under some conditions. Angelfish are known to be more sociable during early ages. As they get older, they gradually become territorial. Under certain circumstances, they can become hostile to other fish species by nipping their tails and fins.
More often, you will see some disputes between the Angelfish. This is normal any way, but you should be on the lookout for any form of hostility. It is common for Angelfish to start acting a bit aggressive when they feel threatened or unsafe. However, you can control this type of territorial or hostile behaviour.
Introducing your mates to your Angelfish is a great idea, but you need to be extra careful. This means that you must be careful with your selection concerning the size of fish. However, you may feel free to run your experiments to find out which combinations are blending in perfectly.
Are Angelfish aggressive?
Angelfish are known to have a moderate temperament, usually peaceful. However, when they feel threatened, they tend to become hostile and aggressive. Therefore, it is right to say that they are aggressive in certain situations.
Conclusion
In this post, we discussed “How many angelfish in a 55-gallon tank” and all steps of setting up an Angelfish aquarium.
If you have any thoughts or doubts, feel free to drop us in a comment below!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): How many angelfish in a 55 gallon
How many Angelfish can you have in a 55-gallon tank?
A 55-gallon tank is comfortable enough for two Angelfish pairs and some other fish and plants. However, do not go by tank volume alone when populating your tank, it is important to take into account the fish species temperament and compatibility.
What fish can live with Angelfish in a 55-gallon tank?
If you have a 55-gallon or larger, there is plenty of space to set up a pair of Angelfish, some Corydoras and Loaches.
Are Angelfish okay alone?
Although they are not schooling fish, Angelfish prefer to be kept with some conspecifics as they would feel safer with their company.
What size tank do I need for 2 Angelfish?
A minimum of 20-gallon tank is necessary to keep a pair of Angelfish. However, if the tank is larger, they could be happier and you could set up some live plants and décor.
How many Angelfish can you have in a 30-gallon tank?
A 30-gallon tank would be comfortable for a pair of adult Angelfish, with plenty of space, plants, décor, and substrate for them to live well.
Do Angelfish need live plants?
They do not need live plants to live. However, if the tank is well planted it will resemble their natural habitat and thus, they will feel safer and happier.
References
Ribeiro, F. D. A. S., Vasquez, L. A., Fernandes, J. B. K., & Sakomura, N. K. (2012). Feeding level and frequency for freshwater angelfish. Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia, 41(6), 1550-1554.
Ahmed, L. S., Ahmed, S. M., Ali, H. S., Kamel, Y. Y., & El-Allawy, T. A. (1990). Cause of mortality in aquarium fish, angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare). Assiut Veterinary Medical Journal, 23(46), 179-187.
