question on angelfish

[Toam]

I have a 25 gallon tank with a few small young cichlids in it, I think 3 of em are some type of melanchromis. I also recently added 2 new cichlids, called red something, though they are orange in color. My girlfriend brought home an angelfish, he is about 2 inches in body, about 4 and a half with fins in height. Can I put him in the tank with these other fish?

 

[Lotus]

I wouldn't do it, it's generally not a good idea to mix African and American cichlids.

 

[TLM4x4]

From what I have read and heard Angel Fish are VERY territorial...here is a link that could have an answer for you......

http://www.timstropicals.com/Compatibility/MatchResults.asp

 

[Toam]

clarifying

guess I should have also mentioned, I am planning on returning the other cichlids to my pet store in a day or two. The visit would only be temporary, and I'd rather not keep him in my community with my neons. I'd like to change my cichlid tank to an all angelfish planted tank, how many could I put in a 25 gallon?

 

[Lotus]

At this point I am guessing you have already put him in with the other cichlids. If he's only 2", I think I would have put him with the tetras for a day while you trade back your other fish.

I would say you can have a pair of angels in a 25g, as long as you don't have other fish (maybe an oto or two, but that's it).

 

[kindaconfused]

i would put him with the tetras because he could get really torn up in the ciclid tank having large fins. it might not happen but i personally would not chance it. 25 gallon should be fine for 1 breeding pair but thats pretty much it because they get pretty big later. It takes two years for them to grow to full size.

 

[Toam]

Lotus, actually, I've kept him in with the tetra's for the time being. Thank you for the advice guys, I had a feeling it might not work, I just don't want him picking on my lil guys too much. Any advice from you guys on the breeding of Angels? what best to stock my aquarium with? plants and the like... and also, how to get a good breeding pair? should I just pick two that seem to have paired up from my local store? pr os there an easy way to sex angels?

 

[CAPSLOCK]

From what I've read, if you can't get a breeding pair, you usually get 6 or so little angels and see which ones pair off. With 6, you're pretty likely to have at least one male and one female. There isn't really any way to reliably sex them unless they are a pair.

 

[Toam]

alrighty, thanks for the info. I've decide to start with a group of 4, I figure 75% one of em is opposite sex to the rest. PLus I really hate returning fish to my store, so once3 I have a pair, I've heard you have to remove the rest? or they won'
t breed successfully?

 

[Lotus]

As they mature and pair off, the aggression will increase, and it gets dangerous, especially when the females are ready to lay eggs.

If you really want to breed them, it's best to have only the angels in that tank, as other fish will try to eat the eggs. Also, you will need to be ready with other tanks to grow out the fry as they get bigger, and be prepared with baby brine shrimp and ready for lots of water changes.