In this article, we will answer the question “What fish get along with angelfish?”. We will also list the most recommended angelfish tankmates.
What fish get along with angelfish?
When choosing fish that get along with angelfish, it is best to stick with placid community fish and avoid any fish with a reputation for violence, such as most cichlids.
Angelfish can be ruthless bullies who prey on weaker fish. On the other hand, they are vulnerable to bullying, especially when it comes to fin nippers like tiger barbs and serpae tetras. So you are looking for fish who are not utter wimps but also are not homicidal maniacs.
Top best angelfish tankmates
The following are our top suggestions for the most popular fish species that will make good angelfish tank mates and community fish:
Corydora Catfish
Despite their timidness, which is most likely due to their small size, Corydora Catfish are one of our favourite communal fish. Because they prefer to live in groups, I recommend getting three or four of them. You’ll notice them clinging together with the majority of the time.
Cory Catfish come in a variety of colours and sizes, making it easy to choose one that meets your tastes. Despite their diversity, they have a consistent temperament: they are serene, calm, and cautious. They’re low-maintenance fish species. Thus, they are great options for beginner aquarists.
Because they are bottom dwellers, you will notice them systematically foraging in your tank’s substrate for leftover food. Despite their reputation for being excellent tank cleaners, you should not rely solely on Cory Fish to keep your tank clean. They will eat all basic food varieties, including pellets, flakes, and bottom feeder tablets, in addition to picking up leftovers.
Bristlenose Pleco
Another bottom-dwelling species that like to scavenge on your aquarium’s substrate is the Bristlenose Plecos. With their soft tiny tentacles, they have an odd appearance that appeals to many aquarists. Because they are native to the same places as Angelfish, it is only natural that they would want similar water conditions.
Bristlenose Plecos are popular tank cleaners that feed on algae to keep it down. Nonetheless, they cannot survive just on algae and require a plant-based diet. These fish are simple to care for, make ideal angelfish mates, and are little.
Ram Cichlids
Ram Cichlids are popular among experienced aquarists because they can be difficult for newcomers to keep. Because of their gorgeous colours, high fins, and fancy appearance, they are commonly referred to as butterfly cichlids. Angelfish make wonderful tank friends because of their tranquil temperament and compatibility with non-aggressive fish.
They prefer to eat from the water column or the tank’s surface, but they will also dig at the bottom of your tank for small insects and plant food. They enjoy live or frozen food (bloodworm, brine shrimp, tubifex), but flakes or granules do not appeal to them.
They are more difficult to care for, as previously stated, which is why we do not recommend them for beginners. They have high standards for water quality and are particularly sensitive to nitrates and pollutants.
They thrive in a communal tank if there are no large fish present. They get along with guppies, mollies, platies, rummy-nose tetra, and other fish in addition to angelfish.
Dwarf Gourami
Dwarf gouramis are quiet, gentle fish that get their name from their labyrinth-like breathing system. Even though they are native to India and Bangladesh, where the conditions are considerably different from where Angelfish originate, they can still make suitable companions for these fish.
However, because Angelfish may be territorial at times, and Dwarf Gouramis are easily bullied, we recommend keeping a watch on how your Angelfish interacts with your Dwarf Gourami fish. However, there should be no problems between these two species in general.
Flake foods, freeze-dried meals, frozen foods, live food, and vegetable tables are all part of this small companion’s diet. They prefer to consume little insects from the water surface and algae development on plants in the wild. If you wish to breed these fish, make sure there is lots of vegetation in the tank because they need foliage to build bubble nests.
Platy Fish
Platies in the wild have a drab colour with no distinguishing characteristics, but platies reared in captivity have vibrant hues ranging from orange, yellow, and red to black, silver, and green.
They’re small fish that do not require a large tank, but they are energetic and reproduce quickly, so expect some young platies as well. Platies are the most popular fish for beginners in freshwater aquariums. They’re a sociable and hardy species of fish. They prefer aquariums with a lot of plants in them.
They are omnivorous, making them simple to feed, as they will eat flake, pellet, fresh veggies, spirulina algae, and fresh or frozen foods. Apart from angelfish, platies get along with guppies, swordtails, tetras, catfish, and other community fish.
Swordtails
Swordtails are beautiful community fish that come in a variety of colours and patterns, and they will add colour and variety to your tank. In addition to their remarkable colour variations, their extended bottom fins have given them the moniker Swordtail fish. They are live carriers and easily multiply without the need for any specific tank preparation.
Despite their calm temperament, they are not readily intimidated by aggressive fish, therefore a little aggression from Angelfish will not disturb them. They are easy to care for, prefer being in groups, and are omnivorous, eating live food, flakes, frozen food, and just about anything else.
They will occasionally jump out of the tank, so go for a taller tank to avoid this. They are excellent Angelfish mates and get along with a variety of other live-bearing species.
Molly Fish
Mollies are great choices to keep with your angelfish. They make excellent partners, especially because Mollies can defend themselves against Angelfish aggression.
Mollies can adapt to a variety of water conditions, and some can even be found in saltwater aquariums. They get along with a variety of tropical freshwater fish.
They get along so well with guppies that they’ve been known to interbreed with them. Mollies’ sole problem is that they nip at other fish’s fins, but they typically keep to themselves and don’t annoy their tank companions.
Because of their endurance and community tolerance, they are frequently recommended as starter freshwater fish. They reproduce quickly and easily. They are not picky eaters and devour a variety of veggies, as well as dried, frozen, and live foods.
Guppy Fish
Beginners love guppies, a type of freshwater fish. They are a hardy species that gets along with a variety of other pleasant neighbourhood fish. Add guppies to your aquarium when your angelfish are still young if you want to keep them with them. In this manner, they’ll regard guppies as tank mates rather than possible food sources as they grow older.
Guppy males have vibrant colours and beautiful fins and tails, whereas females have less appealing physical characteristics. Guppies are small, energetic fish that breed quickly and require little in the way of water and food. Live food (bloodworms, tubifex, brine shrimp), vegetable-enriched flakes, pellets, and other artificial feeds are all acceptable.
Guppies also get along with many other peaceful fish species, such as mollies, bristlenose plecos, dwarf gourami, and harlequin rasboras. They can actually be housed with almost any species that match their water requirements. Keep an eye on their behaviour, just like you would with any other fish species that are not a perfect fit for angelfish.
Keyhole Cichlids
Keyhole Cichlids will be hard to come by in pet stores because they are not as popular among aquarists. Cichlid caretakers, on the other hand, adore them for their intelligent and gentle behaviour. Keyhole Cichlids get their name from the dark stripe that runs across their eyes.
They are low-maintenance fish with no aggressive behaviour toward other fish. They get along well with Angelfish and will not bite at their elongated fins. Keyhole Cichlids are monogamous fish that live for a long period and tend to form pairs.
Because they are timid, they will seek out as many hiding places as possible, so make sure they are plenty of them in the tank. Their diet consists of insects, worms, crustaceans, and larvae. In captivity, they will consume frozen, dry, and live food.
Angelfish tankmate selection guidelines
Here are a few pointers to keep in mind while choosing Angelfish tankmates:
1. It is ideal to introduce tankmates to Angelfish while they’re young and immature. Adult Angelfish are significantly more violent and territorial than juvenile Angelfish.Angelfish that are raised with other species are significantly more likely to get along with them and not see them as food.
2. The lengthy fins of angelfish trail behind them. As a result, stay away from any fish with a reputation for nipping fins. Barbs and various tetra species are examples of this. Tetras are best avoided in general because they are little and could wind up as food for your Angelfish.
3. Avoid adding any fish species that are known to be aggressive in a communal tank. As a general guideline, avoid putting anything in your aquarium that will be more combative than your Angelfish.
4. On the other hand, do not include any fish that are small enough to eat. Angelfish frequently push their boundaries by consuming smaller fish. Also, as previously said, shrimp are an absolute no-no when it comes to Angelfish tank mates.
Conclusion
In this article, we answered the question “What fish get along with angelfish?”. We also listed the most recommended angelfish tankmates.
If you have any thoughts or doubts, feel free to drop us a comment below!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): What fish get along with angelfish?
Are Angelfish good fish to be kept in communal tanks?
Angelfish can be somewhat aggressive by nature. However, they can thrive in communal tanks when plenty of space is available. Angelfish will breed and lay eggs in communal tanks if the conditions are perfect. They may become violent when laying eggs, as they normally strive to protect their eggs from other fish. By removing the eggs, you may simply cease their hostility.
How many angelfish can be kept together?
Angelfish should be kept in groups of at least five or six, according to most experts. There is no reason why you cannot keep more than six together if you have enough tank room. Angelfish, on the other hand, should not be kept alone.
What fish species are not recommended for angelfish tanks?
Angelfish are prey for larger, more aggressive fish like Oscars and certain giant cichlids, therefore it is better not to have them in your aquarium. Tiger barbs and green tiger barbs are two other fish species to avoid because they are known fin-nippers and will torment Angelfish.
Can Glofish tetras live with angelfish?
Glofish tetras are black skirt tetras that have been genetically engineered. Yes, glofish tetras and angelfish can live together in the same tank if it is large enough. However, glofish tetras are fin-nippers, and angelfish will happily eat tetras if given the opportunity.
What is the ideal size of a tank for a pair of angelfish?
To keep a pair of angelfish, you will need at least 20 gallons of water. To keep a small school in a tank, you will be required at least 80 gallons of water. For each new angelfish in the tank, you will need an additional of at least 10 gallons of water
Are angelfish good for beginner aquarists?
Angelfish are a fantastic choice for novices because they are resilient fish that can handle a wide range of water conditions. As a result, maintaining high water quality is critical, including keeping ammonia levels under control and ensuring that no hazardous parasites or bacteria are mistakenly introduced into the tank.
References
Fabian. 20 Best Angelfish Tank Mates. https://smartaquariumguide.com/best-angelfish-tank-mates/
Roberts, J. 2017. 15 Great Angelfish Tank Mates (Complete Compatibility Guide). https://www.buildyouraquarium.com/angelfish-tank-mates/
Page, A. 2021. Angelfish Tankmates: The Good And The Bad. https://www.aquariadise.com/angelfish-tankmates/
Morgan, K. 2021. 10 Bets Tank Mates for Angelfish. https://modestfish.com/angelfish-tank-mates/
