Angel Fish?

[jaythebull]

I am thinking of adding an angel fish in to the mix. I currently have a couple rainbow dwarf gourami, 4 zebras, 2 guppies, and 4 swordtails. How would an angel mix in with those - or would I be better off going with a small school of tetras. I also have a handful of ghost shrimp if that changes the equation any.

Thanks for the help.

 

[missdixie256]

As angels grow they will possibly see the ghost shrimp and the guppies as food...

How big is your tank?

 

[Big Vine]

Mostly it depends on the size of your tank. Also, I'm not sure whether or not the zebra danios would pester it by nipping at the long fins. It may work though.

Let us know how big the tank is and we'll take it from there.
Oh...also...I'd be willing to bet that the ghost shrimp are likely to be eaten by the angel.

BV

 

[jaythebull]

29gal thanks for the prompt replies!

 

[Fuzz16]

you might loose some fish but i beleive it would be ok.

 

[missdixie256]

Going by what you already have I would not add in an angel. You could fill out your schools a little more I am thinking, since angels need atleast 25 or so gallons per fish (If I remember correctly I could be wrong)

BV any suggestions?

Tell us a little about how you maintain the tank? How frequently are you doing water changes? Filtration?

 

[fish_chic]

i think an angel would do fine but i wouldn't couldn't on haveing the guppies or ghost shimp for long, the angel would make dinner of them once bigger.

 

[jaythebull]

Right now doing partial water changes (10 gallons) every 7-10 days. Filtration is one of the filters that hangs off the back (charcoal, mesh, bio-fall etc...). Small (3-4") air stone at one end of the tank. A fair bit of fake plants, a tunnel, and a fake old car a pet store had (hollowed out for hiding). Which schools would be the best to add to?

 

[Big Vine]

I'd go with a smaller angel, and commit to keeping just one...don't add any more later. (you will be tempted to, trust me)

Remember, the smaller the angel, and the longer it is in your tank and gets accustomed to being around its other tankmates, the less likely it will be to view all of them as food as it gets big enough to eat them.

As long as you don't think you'll get the urge to hurl yourself off of a bridge if/when the angel eats some (if not all) of your shrimp, guppies, and possibly a danio or two, then I'd go for it.

BV

 

[missdixie256]

Swords I understand need to have 2 to 3 females per male... So maybe you could go that route? (Not sure what you have)

The Danis I have no clue about so maybe someone else does?

What do you have by way of bottom feeders besides the shrimp? Maybe you could add one of the smaller designer types of plecos or different bottom dwellers.

(Note: All of my fish are small... I have 3 angels in a 29G along with a couple male swords and one DBG They will soon be in a 55G aquarium and the DBG and pleco will also be added into the 55g. The swords... erm... Will either return to the lfs or be put into something elses tank or into a sword only tank. )

 

[jaythebull]

About my bottom feeder. I got screwed on that one by the LFS. I was sold a common pleco. Little did I know until I came on here how big those things would get - he went back. They offered to let me trade it in every so often for a smaller one once it started growing. That would be hassle.

 

[missdixie256]

Yuckie... I have a common... Quite the cute little guy but he makes such a mess!

You're right that would be a hassle and what happens if you get attached to the creature? That is my problem I get attached

 

[jaythebull]

Maybe a few more gourami's or danios . I like the swords but they seem shy always hiding near the bottom and behind things. No one fish really abuses them - they are newer to the tank however.

 

[missdixie256]

I would not add anymore Gourami...

Give your swords some more time they may come around and surprise you... My guys are at the front of the tank each and every time even before the pigglets come out to eat!

 

[jaythebull]

Sounds good. The gouramis are my pigs - big time.

 

[missdixie256]

Yeah mine is a piggy... I have a Torquoise (sp) Dwarf Gourami and I just love him.. His flash of reds and yellows and purples... Just beautiful! And he chases everything! lol... So I dont think I would want more than one...

Do you have a pair (m/f)?

 

[jaythebull]

Yes I do have a pair. They are very beautiful fish I believe the are Rainbows

 

[jaythebull]

What about a loach - not a clown, but one of the others that doesn't grow too large? Out of the danios, swordtails, and rainbows - which would be the best group to add to? I really like the swordtails, as I mentioned for the time being they act rather shy and stay real close to the bottom. I have four of them.

 

[Mountain Dewd]

Be careful mixing in the Danio's with your angel. I have seen Danio's nip the Angels tail taking sizable chunks out of it. Given the choice the Danio's would go back to the store before the Angel. Not sure on the swordtails though.

 

[missdixie256]

If you like the swords maybe you could add to them? Rememebr 2 to 3 females per male