Angelfish in a 30 gallon.

[tarpon]

Could I succesfully keep 3 angels in a 30 if the only other fish I have are bottom dwellers?
I have two females right now and want a male so they can breed. Would there be too much aggression toward the third angel when they lay eggs?

 

[absolutangel04]

IMO, nope. I have 3 in a 40 gallon, but that is bigger and it a rare occurrence for 3 angels to ever get along. Usually, 2 will end up bullying one poor loner. I would definitely not recommend it in a 30 gallon tank. Sorry. Just out of curiosity, how do you know they are female? I haven't been able to sex mine unless they bred. Males are sometime supposed to have a "hump" on their head, but this is not always present.

 

[Coleallensmom]

Others may have different opinions, but I wouldn't try it. Angels can be very aggressive when breeding and a 30 gal is just not big enough to give them room to spread out.

 

[tarpon]

Yeah I didn't think so.

And I know bc I have seen both of them lay eggs.

 

[Coleallensmom]

IMO, nope. I have 3 in a 40 gallon, but that is bigger and it a rare occurrence for 3 angels to ever get along. Usually, 2 will end up bullying one poor loner. I would definitely not recommend it in a 30 gallon tank. Sorry. Just out of curiosity, how do you know they are female? I haven't been able to sex mine unless they bred. Males are sometime supposed to have a "hump" on their head, but this is not always present.

I know someone who had a 40 gal with two sets of paired Angels (with no other tankmates) and the one pair actually ended up killing the other pair. After hearing her story, I don't think I could ever reccommend keeping more than 2 angelfish together in anything less than a 50 gal tank.

 

[jetajockey]

Just keep a pair in there. I have 4 in a 125 and they still manage to harass one another to the point to where I'm considering moving a pair out.

 

[absolutangel04]

I know someone who had a 40 gal with two sets of paired Angels (with no other tankmates) and the one pair actually ended up killing the other pair. After hearing her story, I don't think I could ever reccommend keeping more than 2 angelfish together in anything less than a 50 gal tank.

Like I said, mine are unique. I was planning to sell one back if I got a pair, but they are all fine, so I have kept them. If there ever is an issue, the odd angel out will be re-homed of course.
However, I would never re-home my 3 into a 30 gallon tank because ever though they get along famously, I am sure their peace would end if they did not have enough space to feel comfortable.
Its cool that you saw them lay eggs. I had to wait quite a while before I saw my pair spawn. They kept doing it while I was away!

 

[Coleallensmom]

Like I said, mine are unique. I was planning to sell one back if I got a pair, but they are all fine, so I have kept them. If there ever is an issue, the odd angel out will be re-homed of course.

Yep, I hear ya'....just sharing!

Angels can be feisty little things when they want to be!

 

[Gboy66]

What are good tankmates with angels if you put a pair in a 40g?

 

[absolutangel04]

Yep, I hear ya'....just sharing!

Angels can be feisty little things when they want to be!

Indeed. I have heard absolute horror stories about them as well! I was soooooooo amazed when all my fishies got along! I kept expecting an apocalypse to break out, but they are all mature and still have no problems. I definitely still keep an eye on the situation though.

 

[absolutangel04]

What are good tankmates with angels if you put a pair in a 40g?

Most any schooling tetra over 2 inches, corys, a dg, any small pleco, paradise fish, rainbows, small loaches, platys, swords, and rams to name a few. I keep a school of rummies, corys, pitbull plecos, kuhlis, and a couple platys.

 

[tarpon]

Like I said, mine are unique. I was planning to sell one back if I got a pair, but they are all fine, so I have kept them. If there ever is an issue, the odd angel out will be re-homed of course.
However, I would never re-home my 3 into a 30 gallon tank because ever though they get along famously, I am sure their peace would end if they did not have enough space to feel comfortable.
Its cool that you saw them lay eggs. I had to wait quite a while before I saw my pair spawn. They kept doing it while I was away!

Yeah! One of them I came home after but her breeding tube was still out so she had just done it. and was hanging around the eggs. The other angels papilla wasnt out as well. I waited to see if the other would fertilize the eggs but it didn't happen. Then a week later I walk in on the other one in the middle of laying eggs.

I tried to get a pair when picking them out so I'm thinking of maybe switching one with another one at the store I think is male so they can breed. But idk if those two will get along and my 2 get along so well now, idk if I wanna mess with that.

 

[Gboy66]

Haha thank you for the list! Any bigger fish?

 

[Coleallensmom]

Most any schooling tetra over 2 inches, corys, a dg, any small pleco, paradise fish, rainbows, small loaches, platys, swords, and rams to name a few. I keep a school of rummies, corys, pitbull plecos, kuhlis, and a couple platys.

Agreed...Nothing too small that they can eat. I have black neons, a three spot gourami, and black skirt tetra with my angels.

 

[tarpon]

I just have bottom dwellers. The angels get the water column to themselves

 

[Gboy66]

Ya im trying to stay away from gouramis, not much luck..

 

[BillD]

3 angels in a 30 should not be a problem, especially if 2 are females. I have kept 2 pair in a 30 without a problem. Sometimes it depends on the individuals. Some are just nasty.

 

[Gboy66]

Ya how do you tell the sexes?

 

[tarpon]

A sure fire way is to wait til the breeding tubes drop down. Otherwise it's very hard

 

[Gboy66]

Ohh bummer. I wanted to buy 1 small male and 1 small female