Angel fish in a community tank?

Question

I know 2 people who keep angelfish successfully in a community tank. I would really like one but worried it may eat neons. Does buying a young angel avoid this or is it too risky?

Answer 1

Neons get about an inch long, Angelfish get about 6 inches long... The Angels (when they get their chance) will eat those Neons up. Angels can go fine in community tanks, just with some larger tankmates. Larger Tetras, Rasboras, and Killifish would all be great with Angels. I would recommend a 30+ gallon tank with 2 Angels (one male and one female) along with your choice of 11 large Tetras (larger than Neons and Cardinals, but not nippy Tetras like Serpaes) OR 11 Rasboras OR 5-7 Killifish. You could also add a groups of Cory Cats (3-5). This will give you fish that will be colorful, peaceful, and that will occupy every level of your tank. Also, you might enjoy a well planted tank (preferably live plants, but fake are fine...) For any other help, email me at [e-mail].

Nosoop4u

EDIT: When a fish grows to the size of their tank, that is called stunting. Stunting is when the exterior of the fish stops growing but the internal organs continue to grow. This causes organ pinching and organ failure, and likely, a very painful death.


Does anybody have an explanation as to why almost everybody here has at least one thumbs down?

Answer 2

If you are going to keep angels you must keep two or more - they look super nice if there is more than one.Don't keep any fish like mollies or sword tails or fresh water puffer fish as they love to eat the fins of angel fish or any other fish for that matter.when you buy your angel fish buy them small and get your neons at the same time but get the largest your retailer has for you to buy . Also have lots of place for your neons to hide.If you are still worried then buy Cardinal neons,they are a bit more expensive than normal neons but they grow bigger and look almost the same.Remember fish grow in relation to your tank size ie.if you have a large tank the angels will grow bigger and be able to eat young neons.Hope this helps.

Answer 3

I have raised Angels in community tanks with no problems. I always buy my Angels while they are small, and allow them to grow to full size in my tank. Once they are large, I make sure neons and other small fish are in higher numbers so when they school, they appear as a large mass instead of one or two small fish. It has helped in my tank.

Answer 4

Angels WILL eat the neons, not a good idea, they wont eat bigger tetras though. You can still have your Angels and a shoal of larger tetras, say black widows, theyre nice.

Answer 5

I will say this about my experience---my Angel fish was the last survivor of my tank. He ATE everything--it never mattered how much he was or was not fed. I think some Angel fish are just inheriently bad!

Answer 6

we had two angel fish in our tank, we found them on occasions aggressive but we later discovered the female had laid eggs on a leaf and the male was protecting them. We also found them territorial but they didnt do any harm to the other fish and they were a joy to watch. Good luck

Answer 7

i keep 4 angels in a community tank mine are fully grown and i have no problems with them,
angels are slow moving neon's are fast moving,if its small enough to fit in a fishes mouth it will get eaten,
i bought my angels fully grown,angels prefer to be in pairs or more than 6 ,

Answer 8

Angel fish can get aggressive when they get older and can be territorial. Angel fish are cichlids which by nature are fairly aggressive. You can get away with it but i wouldn't try

Answer 9

yes it fine i have a shoal of neon's and 2 angel fish and they are fine !!

Answer 10

The angel fish will probibly have a go at them when they get to adult size, I wouldnt risk it.

~ GG