Thinking about getting an Angelfish

**travie** · 11-16-2012, 10:54 PM

The tank is a 29g will 6 Lemon Tetras, 3 Skunk Cories (will get 3 more once the LFS gets them back in stock), and 2 Cherry Barbs. I'm thinking about getting one or two Angelfish. I'm wondering if you think it is manageable in my tank. Thank you for any thoughts.

**butterbean** · 11-16-2012, 11:04 PM

In my personal opinion a 29gal tank is not large enough for two angles. If you have 2 of the same sex there would not be enough room for them to have there own space so they would most likely fight and it is to small for a breeding pair. When Angles are breeding or have fry they are extremely territorial and hard to get along with.This is just my opinion I'm sure someone else will come along soon and they may have a different take on it

**Knightia** · 11-16-2012, 11:05 PM

I'm not an angelfish keeper but know that you definitely won't get away with two in that sized tank. One on its own might be ok but you need to check it isn't a bully.

Personally, I'd prefer to just up your lemon tetra and cherry barbs. You have very low numbers of these schooling fish. I have the same sized tank as you and I have 18 cherry barbs (soon to be upped to around 25 as I need more females). I reckon if you have more than adequate filtration and have a solid maintenance routine you could up both schools to 15, get your extra cories, and forget about the angel.

That's probably not the advice you want of course. Just my opinion.

**ScottishFish** · 11-17-2012, 12:35 AM

I'd say forget the angelfish, have you seen one fully grown before? They are very impressive fish and larger than most people assume.

I'd recommend getting more lemons and barbs and perhaps look into Dwarf cichlids. Bolivian Rams are an excellent beginner cichlid!

**travie** · 11-17-2012, 02:05 AM

Originally Posted by ~firefly~

Personally, I'd prefer to just up your lemon tetra and cherry barbs. You have very low numbers of these schooling fish. I have the same sized tank as you and I have 18 cherry barbs (soon to be upped to around 25 as I need more females). I reckon if you have more than adequate filtration and have a solid maintenance routine you could up both schools to 15, get your extra cories, and forget about the angel.

30+ fish in a 29g tank definitely seems like it would be a disaster or lead to one, since the tank is not heavily planted. It only has java fern, so it can't really be considered planted at all really.

Originally Posted by ScottishFish

I'd say forget the angelfish, have you seen one fully grown before? They are very impressive fish and larger than most people assume.

I'd recommend getting more lemons and barbs and perhaps look into Dwarf cichlids. Bolivian Rams are an excellent beginner cichlid!

I'm not really sure why you are saying I need/should get a beginner cichlid. From my experience Bolivian Rams, Blue Rams, Kribensis, and the like don't exactly mix well with Corys with the small foot print like the 29g has, since they all like to be in the bottom quarter of the tank.

I never actually planned on getting two Angelfish; just wanted to see what would be said about the idea :) . I might go with the plan to get one Angel, up the school of Lemons and Cories. Even if I don't go with an Angel, my plan is to have one center piece fish that can thrive on its own.

**Knightia** · 11-17-2012, 02:13 AM

In that case get rid of your cherry barbs. They should only really be kept in heavily planted tanks - or tanks with plenty of shady cover for them. That'll free up the space you need for your plans.

**travie** · 11-17-2012, 02:26 AM

Originally Posted by ~firefly~

In that case get rid of your cherry barbs. They should only really be kept in heavily planted tanks - or tanks with plenty of shady cover for them. That'll free up the space you need for your plans.

I don't think I agree with them only needing to be kept in a heavily planted tank. I was able to breed cherry barbs with the only plant being java moss; I digress.

I'll probably keep the Cherry Barbs till they pass away under my care. I will definitely up the number of Cories to at least 6, but I have to wait for the LFS to get more in(I bought the last 3). The Lemon Tetras I am on the fence on upping the number, because they no longer shoal in my tank, which means they feel safe.

I'll keep looking for alternatives to the Angelfish center piece, but it seems capable of being a stocking that could work.

**Knightia** · 11-17-2012, 02:36 AM

I meant they're happiest with cover, rather than requiring it to breed. Just an opinion/observation.

You sound like you have a plan though. I look forward to photos when you get the angel.

**travie** · 11-17-2012, 02:40 AM

Originally Posted by ~firefly~

I meant they're happiest with cover, rather than requiring it to breed. Just an opinion/observation.

You sound like you have a plan though. I look forward to photos when you get the angel.

I'm not dead set on the Angel if I can find an alternative center piece that works with my stocking also.

I hope you like the Cherry Barb. He looked even better in my tank, but he has since passed away.