In this blog post we will discuss about compatablibe and suitable tank mates for angelfish.We will also discuss the characteristics of suitable tank mates for angelfish.
Overview
In this post
- What fish can go with angelfish?
- Characteristics of Angelfish tank-mates
- Best tank mates for angelfish
- Summary
- Frequently asked questions
What fish go with angelfish?
Angelfish can go with the following fishes:
- Kuhli loach
- Lemon tetras
- Rummy nose tetras
- Guppies
- Common mollies
- Kribensis cichlids
- Head and light tetras
- Malaysian trumpet snail
- Bristlenose pleco
- Dwarf gourami
- German blue ram cichlid
- Platies
- Corydora catfish
- Swordtails
- Keyhole cichlids.
Characteristics of Angelfish tank-mates
- Angelfish get along well with species with similar temperament.
- They are peaceful to semi-aggressive in nature and remain peaceful with calmer fish,but get aggressive with Fin-nippers and aggressive species.
- Smaller size species end up becoming snacks for them,so choose wisely.
- They are voracious eaters,so make sure they are not kept with species which copete them for food resources.
- Keep tank-mates with similar water parameters.
- Choose tank mates which are not stressing them,because a stressful environment is not good for their health.
Best tank mates for angelfish
The kuhli loach
Kuhli loaches are very peaceful fish and a great addition to any community tanks.They get along well with non-aggressive tank mates.
- Scientific name-Pangio kuhlii
- Other names-Coolie Loach and Leopard Loach
- Habitat-They come from tropical climates
- Water pH-5.5 – 6.5
- Water temperature-75 – 86 °F
- Degree of water hardness-5.0 dGH
- Know as scavengers/clean-up crew members
- Care level-intermediate
- Snake like bodies
- Nocturnal in nature
- Tank level-bottom level
- Diet -They eat leftovers of other fish in the aquarium.Other than this they would accept sinking community pellets, frozen bloodworms,live blackworms and repashy gel food.
- They like to bury themselves in the gravel or sandy substrates.
- Temperament-Kuhli loaches have peaceful temperament and are considered as one of the best tank mates of angelfish.
- Compatibility with angelfish- Great compatibility
Lemon Tetras
Lemon tetras are famous for their hardiness, bright colourations and peaceful behaviour.They are schooling fish and considered as a great addition to a community tank.
- Scientific name-Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis
- Habitat -They are tropical freshwater fish,come from South America
- Water pH-5.5 to 8.0,best would be neutral,slightly towards acidic pH
- Water temperature- 72°F to 82°F
- Degree of water hardness-3 to 20 dGH
- Care level-Easy
- Diet-mosquito larvae,brine shrimp,daphnia and bloodworms
- Temperament- Calm and active swimmers
- Compatibility with angelfish-Lemon tetras are known for their tolerance to a wide range of water conditions.
- They are peaceful fish and are considered as one of the best community fish in the aquarium.
- They can co-exist with angelfish as long as they are not being eaten by them.But nothing has been reported so far about angelfish attacking on lemon tetras or gobbling up them.
Rummy Nose Tetras
- Scientific name-Hemigrammus rhodostomus
- Habitat-They are tropical freshwater fish,come from South America
- Water pH-between 5.5-6.8
- Water temperature-72F to 84F (warm temperatures)
- Degree of water hardness-2 and 8 KH
- Care level-Moderate
- Diet-They accept any kind of flake food, pellets, and live foods like bloodworms and brine shrimp.
- Temperament- Peaceful
- Sensitive to poor water conditions.
- Compatibility with angelfish-They both do well with each other,but make sure you are adding rummy nose tetras before adding angelfish in the tank.
Guppies
- Scientific name-Poecilia reticulata
- Other names-millionfish and rainbow fish
- Habitat -Tropical freshwater fish from Northeast South America
- Water pH-6.8-7.8
- Water temperature-72-82 °F
- Degree of water hardness-8-12 dGH
- 0 ppm ammonia, 0 ppm nitrites, maximum 10 ppm nitrates
- Care level-Low-Maintenance,easy to care for
- Diet-Flakes food,Veggie pellets, Spirulina tablets ,Freeze-dried brine and blood worms
- Temperament- Peaceful
- Live-bearers
- Compatibility with angelfish-They can co-exist in similar aquariums but their compatibility is not that great.Its important to monitor their interactions everyday.
Common Mollies
- Scientific name-Poecilia sphenops
- Other names-Molly
- Habitat-Freshwater environments from southern America to Mexico
- Water pH-7.5-8.5
- Water temperature-75°-80°F
- Degree of water hardness- GH: 12-25 dGH and KH: 10-25 dkh
- Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 and Nitrate: <30 ppm
- Care level-Easy
- Diet-blanched vegetables, live and frozen bloodworms, daphnia, and brine shrimp
- Temperament- Peaceful
- Tank level
- Compatibility with angelfish-Common mollies are considered as great tank mates for angelfish.
- They have great compatibility and common mollies know well to defend themselves from aggressive fish in the same tank.
Kribensis Cichlids
- Scientific name-Pelvicachromis pulcher
- Other names-krib, common krib, red krib, super-red krib and rainbow krib
- Habitat -Endemic to Nigeria and Cameroon
- Water pH-5.0-8.0
- Water temperature-75-79°F
- Degree of water hardness-5°-20° dGH
- Care level-Easy
- Diet-flake or pellet foods, frozen brine shrimp, freshly hatched brine shrimp, daphnia, mosquito larvae, bloodworms, and even vegetables
- Temperament- Semi-aggressive
- Tank level-bottom dweller
- Compatibility with angelfish-They can be kept together with angelfish because they both have similar temperament and can co-exist in similar tanks.
Head and Tail Light Tetras
Head and light tetras are peaceful,non-aggressive community fish and easy to care for.They can get along well with many community fish easily.
- Scientific name-Hemigrammus ocellifer/Hemibrycon ocellifer/ Tetragonopterus ocellifer
- Other names-beacon fish, beacon tetra
- Habitat-Freshwater of South American
- Water pH-6.0 to 6.5 (slightly acidic pH )
- Water temperature-80 F
- Degree of water hardness- 5-20°H
- Care level-Easy
- Diet-live plants,flake foods,freeze-dried or frozen live foods, such as brine shrimp, bloodworms, and small insects
- Temperament- semi-aggressive
- Tank level: Mid-dweller
- Compatibility with angelfish-Peaceful ,schooling fish and are famous for their fin-nipping behavior.
- They can be kept with angelfish,but daily observation is mandatory to monitor if they are nipping angelfish fin.They can be immediately removed if such a situation occurs.
Malaysian Trumpet Snails (MTS)
MTS are the most underrated tank mates.They are best for any tank and keep the tank clean by eating leftovers and plays a major role during breeding time too.
- Scientific name-Melanoides tuberculata
- Other names- red-rimmed melania
- Habitat -Freshwater snail from northern Africa to southern Asia
- Water pH-7.0 to 7.5 ( hard side)
- Water temperature-70 to 78F
- Degree of water hardness-6-12dH, i.e Soft-Hard
- Care level-Easy
- Diet-uneaten fish food, fish flakes, bottom feeder tablets, pellets, and algae wafers,debris, detritus and soft algae growing on hard surfaces and live plants.
- Temperament-Peaceful
- Compatibility of MTS with angelfish-MTS are great additions to aquariums.
- They are recommended for not just angelfish tanks,but in any tank they are a great addition.
- They are considered as clean-up crew members and mainly clean the detritus, algae and other waste on the substrate.
Bristlenose Pleco
Bristlenose plecos are tropical ,friendly and a great schooling fish.A great addition to a community tank.
- Scientific name-Ancistrus Cirrhosus
- Other names-bristlenose catfish, bushynose catfish, bushy nose
- Habitat -rapid-flowing tributaries of Amazon
- Water pH-5.8 to 7.8
- Water temperature-73 to 81F
- Degree of water hardness-2 to 30 dGH
- Care level- Intermediate
- Diet-algae,spirulina wafers,Granules, flakes, or bloodworms
- Temperament- Peaceful
- Tank level-Bottom dweller
- Compatibility with angelfish-Bristlenose plecos are peaceful,easy to handle and keep the tank clean by removing algae from the tank.
- They are a great addition to angelfish tank and keep their tank clean by maintaining the pristine water conditions.
Dwarf Gourami
Dwarf gouramis are very peaceful,shy and docile fish.They don’t chase or trouble any fish in the tank and usually stay in their own zones.
- Scientific name-Trichogaster lalius
- Habitat -South Asia
- Water pH-6.0-7.5
- Water temperature-75-82F
- Degree of water hardness-4-10 dGH
- Care level-Intermediate
- Diet-algae based and meaty food
- Temperament- Peaceful
- Tank level-Top,mid-dweller
- Compatibility with angelfish-Dwarf gouramis are docile fish and let other dominating species bully them.
- They can be kept with angelfish but one should watch their interaction everyday if they are chasing or troubling dwarf gouramis.But they can-coexist in similar tanks.
German Blue Ram Cichlids
German blue rams get aggressive with their own kind and during breeding season.
- Scientific name-Mikrogeophagus ramirezi
- Other names-Electric blue ram and butterfly cichlid
- Habitat -South America
- Water pH-6.0-7.5
- Water temperature-78-85F
- Degree of water hardness-6 to 14 dGH
- Care level-Easy
- Diet-freeze dried, frozen food, sinking pellets
- Temperament-Peaceful
- Tank level-Mid-bottom dweller
- Compatibility with angelfish– German blue can easily co-exist with angelfish.
Platies
Platies are amiable fish and get along well with species of the same temperament.A wonderful addition to a passive community tank.
- Scientific name-Xiphophorus maculatus
- Other names-southern platyfish,common platy,moonfish
- Habitat -East coast of Central America and Mexico
- Water pH-7.0-8.0
- Water temperature-70F-80F
- Degree of water hardness-10 to 28 dGH and 3 to 5 dKH
- Ammonia /Nitrite-zero
- Nitrate <30ppm
- Care level-Easy
- Diet-Vitamin enriched flakes,pellets,freeze-dried food and frozen food.
- Temperament- Peaceful
- Compatibility with angelfish-Platies are very friendly and hardy species.they dont require very large tanks for them.They can easily adjust in angelfish tanks.
Corydora Catfish
Corydoras are tropical,freshwater species,and are considered as a very good choice for community tanks alongside non-aggressive and friendly species.
- Scientific name-Corydoras
- Other names-leopard and peppered corydoras
- Habitat -South America
- Water pH-7.0-8.0
- Water temperature-74F-80F
- Degree of water hardness-3-10 dKH
- Care level-easy
- Diet-bottom feeder tablets,shrimp pellets,tropical granules,algae rounds
- Temperament-calm and peaceful
- Tank level- bottom dweller
- Compatibility with angelfish-Corydoras are easy to maintain,have a peaceful temperament and adjust well in community tanks. They also go well with angelfish.
Swordtails
Swordtails are peaceful and are considered as one of the best community fish.They get along with varieties of species because of their peaceful temperament.
- Scientific name-Xiphophorus helleri
- Other names-yellow,blue,red and violet swordtail
- Habitat -freshwater species to Central America
- Water pH-7.0-8.3
- Water temperature-65-82F
- Degree of water hardness-12-30 KH
- Care level-easy
- Diet-insect larvae,algae and high quality dried food
- Temperament- peaceful
- Tank level-top,mid dweller
- Compatibility with angelfish-Swordtails goes well with angelfish, because they can tolerate small amounts of aggression.
Keyhole Cichlids
Keyhole cichlids are hardy species and can tolerate a wide range of tank conditions.
- Scientific name-Cleithracara maronii
- Other names-Acara maronii, Aequidens maronii
- Habitat -Endemic to tropical South America
- Water pH-6.0 – 8.0
- Water temperature-72 – 80°F
- Degree of water hardness-12-30dGH
- Care level-Easy
- Diet- flakes, pellets and frozen food
- Temperament- even-tempered, peaceful and get aggressive after breeding
- Tank level-middle level
- Compatibility with angelfish–They are peaceful,shy and stay in their zone without disturbing angels,So,they can definitely go well with angelfish.
Summary
- Angelfish can get along well with a variety of fish.
- They mind their own business unless an aggressive fish attacks them.
- They don’t get along well with fin-nippers so well but can be kept with them by monitoring their interaction everyday.
- Best tank mates for them are peaceful,non-aggressive and fish that thrive well in the same water parameters.
Frequently asked questions
Can we keep discus fish angelfish together?
Yes,discus fish can be kept with angelfish in bigger tanks by maintaining the tank temperature above 82F.
What are the best tank mates for angelfish?
Angelfish can live peacefully with south american cichlids like discus fish and bolivian rams.
