I should have read how not to start out

[Engel]

Thank you so much for all of your advice. Very responsive and helpful group!

 

[Coleallensmom]

Absolutely. I understand ben's point--but there is 1 main difference. His tanks have an established biological filter. Your tank does not and will not until the cycle is complete.

Very good point.

 

[kholton]

You're welcome! And Tim, yes, but while I have not personally kept Angles, I've kept many highly aggressive cichlids, and in my experience, you either have to keep the stocking to an absolute minimum (as you described by only having 2 in a 40g tank... something I find incomprehensible), or you have to overcrowd them, not giving them the opportunity to set up a true personal territory, and effectively eliminating nearly all aggression towards each other... While this may not be ideal for someone looking to create a natural aquascape with a realistically balanced community tank, it does create a very nice looking display tank.