What kind of environment do Angel fish thrive in?

Question

I have a 40 gallon tank and am trying to think if i would rather have Oscar's or Angelfish?
What kind of environment do angel fish thrive in.
the Ph in my tank stays at about 6.4. I dont know why it is so low and i cant seem to raise it.
Do they like rocks, plants, etc.
thanks!!

Answer 1

This site has a complete guide on how to care for your angel fish.
http://www.tropicalfishatlanta.com/Caring%20for%20Angelfish.htm

*The ideal temperature is around 75 degrees, although the temperature should be increased to 80 to 82 degrees to stimulate breeding conditions.

*Live or plastic plants can be used. Angelfish prefer Amazon swords or Giant Sagittaria. Remember to leave plenty of room to swim as angelfish have a wide wingspan.

*Angelfish can be fed a wide variety of dry foods. Preferred foods include live or frozen brine shrimp, Daphnia, and mosquito larvae. Frozen versions of these are available which remain as nutritional in their freeze dried state.

*Suitable companions for angelfish include are large swordtails, thick-lipped gourami, kissing gourami, large mollies and fishes of similar nature. Corydoras catfishes and Loricaria are also excellent choices to help clean up uneaten food and aid in growth of algae.

Answer 2

40 gallons is too small for an Oscar, so Angels would be a better choice. They like peaceful settings (so just having angels in the tank might be good) They don't like a lot of fast swimming fish, or powerful currents. They feel more secure with lots of places they can hide. Also, try to get angels around the same size and at the same time. You don't want to get one big one and then add a couple small ones. Chances are, the big guy will be a little selfish about his space, even though they aren't particularly aggressive (they do nip sometimes though)

Answer 3

Your pH of 6.4 would be fine for angelfish, as angels are South American Cichlids, and their water in the wild is soft and has a low pH.
Angelfish aren't really schoolers per se, but they appreciate the company of other angels. If you're keeping them in groups, get at least 3 (you could fit 4 in your 40 gallon) so there won't be one dominant fish that picks on the other. But if you start with a group of young ones and get a pair, just keep the pair.

Angelfish love lots of plants, tall plants, like vallisneria http://www.moje-akvarium.net/pic/rostliny/vallisneria/vallisneria-gigantea-02.jpg
and amazon sword http://www.fishpalace.org/E_amazonicus_scheurmann.jpg
This would be a great tank for heavy planting, if you have fluorescent lights. But, you can also use silk plants (avoid plastic, which can have hard, sharp edges).

Angels require normal, warm temperature of about 78F. They thrive in clean water so do not be shy when it comes to filtration! Get a filter that is rated for at least 60 gallons for your 40 gallon tank (you can't overfilter).

They are pretty tough fish, but keep up with weekly water changes and be sure to cycle your tank first.

They can be kept with other fish. You can also keep them with small tetras like neon tetras, just make sure that you start off with adult tetras and young angels. Angelfish will eat small tetras, but if they grow up with tetras they learn that the tetras aren't food. You can also keep them with other South American cichlids. Say, you get a pair of Blue Rams: http://www.thehiddenreef.com/Pictures/misc/Jeff_blue_ram_lg.jpg

They can be kept in a staple diet of flake food, but you should feed frozen / freeze dried bloodworms and brineshrimp a couple times a week, particularly if you want big angelfish in breeding condition.

Someone mentioned that they can go with kissing gouramis. Please don't, as kissing gouramis are a) too big to go with angels in a 40 gal and b) semi-aggressive. Despite the fact that they are cichlids, angelfish are NOT aggressive. They are big sucks, actually. Two males may fight but a group will be just fine (I have 6 young adult angelfish in a 90 gal and I got a huge adult male from someone because his two males were fighting - my angelfish just follow the big guy around, like in AWE of him. it's cute, they love him ;)).

Answer 4

how to tell between male and female angefish