Angelfish
 

Ok, so my sister wants to have an angelfish, I explained they need a slightly bigger tank but I'm not sure the exact advice to give for keeping angelfish, because I don't have any. She wanted one in a ten gallon. And I know thats not ok. So if anyone would like to explain and tell her everything shes going to need. Also if she is serious about this I would like to have at least two angelfish, I wouldn't want just one lonely one. Lol at least I talked her out of a 5 gallon seahorse tank. And away from saltwater in general. Thanks for any advice.

Re: Angelfish
 

yes, you are correct. Angelfish will need much larger accomodations because they grow primarily Height-wise, and not length-wise, so the taller the tank the better. I personally recommend that anyone keeping angels use a tank no smaller than 30 gallons. and thats for ONE angel.

I started my largest angel out in a 10 gallon, she was tiny (quarter-size) when i first got her, but within 6-9 months I upgraded her to the 47 gal column that she and 2 others are in. so, that might work (for a very small angel) for a SMALL amount of time, as long as she plans to upgrade to a larger tank in the next 3-6 months. another reason i wouldnt recommend her doing angels in a 10 gallon, is because water params are harder to keep stable in a smaller tank, and due to angels sensitivity, they are easier to keep alive in larger tanks.

Your sister will need to purchase either 1 or 3 angels, (MY recommendation anyways) because angels are particular about their tank-mates. They pair off when there is a group of them, and it's better to let them choose who their partner will be, because if you just go to the store and pick two out, there is a good chance that one will pick on the other and stress it out. They won't pair up just because there are only 2 of them.

she will need to have her tank well-established before she tries to add any angels, as they are pretty particular about their water parameters, they are very sensitive. they need stable params. no fluctuating temps, ph, etc. I have found that once they are acclimated, and after about 6 months-year, they become less sensitive. at least, thats what my experience has been with my angels.

Awesome thank you, I totally said they needed a taller tank too! Apparently I'm not completely clueless.

no, you aren't completely clueless. :lol: happy to help!

If your sister decides to get angelfish, be very careful of what you are getting. Occasionally, tha 'altum' variety is sold as a particularly pretty (and outrageously expensive) variety of angels. These fish are always wild-caught and are among the hardest fish to keep (on par with discus); they will make anyone who is not an expert miserable.