11 Best Angelfish Tank Mates
If you have angelfish and want to add more fish to your tank, choose ones that get along well. This guide will show you the best tank mates for angelfish. These companions live peacefully with angelfish and make your aquarium look beautiful. From colorful tetras to elegant gouramis, each fish brings something special to your tank. Let’s explore the best angelfish tank mates and learn how to create a thriving underwater community.
1.Boesemani Rainbow Fish (Melanotaenia boesemani)
Boesemani Rainbow Fish are good companions for Angelfish. They are bright, lively, and simple to look after, which is great for new fish owners. These fish are calm and get along well with Angelfish.
Boesemani Rainbow Fish can reach 4-6 inches in size and eat different foods like flakes, pellets, and live foods. To make both fish content, a 30-gallon tank with plants and places to hide is recommended. This setup imitates their natural home and lets them move around comfortably.
2. Corydoras Catfish (Corydoras sp.)
Corydoras Catfish are a great choice as angelfish tank mates. They are peaceful and help keep the tank clean by eating leftover food and debris. These catfish are easy to care for and do well in a clean tank with stable water. They like to be in groups of 6 or more and grow to about 2-3 inches.
Feeding them sinking pellets, algae wafers, and live or frozen foods will keep them healthy. A 20-gallon tank is recommended for both species to have enough space. Adding Corydoras Catfish to your angelfish tank can make it more interesting and balanced.
3.Dwarf Gourami (Trichogaster lalius)
The Dwarf Gourami, also known as Trichogaster lalius, is a great tank mate for Angelfish because it is peaceful and colorful. These small freshwater fish are easy to care for. Dwarf Gouramis do well in well-maintained aquariums with stable water conditions.
Dwarf Gouramis are small fish, reaching 2-3 inches in size. They can live alongside larger Angelfish in your tank. They enjoy eating flake food and live treats such as brine shrimp or bloodworms. To ensure the well-being of your Dwarf Gourami and Angelfish, house them in a 20-gallon tank. This provides ample space, preventing territorial disputes and food competition.
4. Praecox Rainbow Fish (Pr praecox)
Praecox Rainbow Fish are colorful and peaceful tank mates for angelfish. They are easy to care for and grow to about 2-3 inches in size. These fish eat flakes, pellets, and live or frozen foods like bloodworms. To keep them happy with your angelfish, you need a tank that is at least 20 gallons in size.
5. Zebra Loaches (Botia striata)
Zebra loaches are good companions for angelfish because they are peaceful and need similar water conditions. These fish have striking stripes and are playful, making them interesting additions to a tank. They are easy to take care of, needing clean water and a mix of meat and plant-based foods.
Zebra loaches like to move around a lot, so it’s best to give them enough space. A 30-gallon tank is enough for a small group of zebra loaches and angelfish. Make sure the tank has hiding places and plants for the zebra loaches to feel safe. Having zebra loaches in the tank can create a peaceful community with both species looking beautiful together.
6. Platies (Xiphophorus maculatus)
Platies are colorful and peaceful freshwater fish that can live with angelfish. They have a calm nature and bright colors that can make your aquarium more lively. Platies are easy to care for and can live with sensitive angelfish.
Platies prefer tanks with hiding spots and plants. Watch how they interact with angelfish. Platies eat flakes, pellets, and sometimes live or frozen food. They can live with angelfish in a tank that is at least 20 gallons to provide enough swimming space.
7. Mollies (Poecilia sp.)
Mollies are great freshwater angelfish tank mates because they are peaceful and colorful. They can live in different water conditions and don’t need a lot of care. Mollies are active swimmers and make the tank more lively.
They eat plants and algae, so it’s important to feed them a mix of vegetables and good quality food. A 20-gallon tank is enough for both mollies and angelfish to live comfortably.
8. Kribensis (Pelvicachromis pulcher)
The Kribensis fish, also known as Pelvicachromis pulcher, are colorful cichlids that can live with angelfish. They are peaceful but may get territorial when breeding. They grow to about 3-4 inches and have red and blue colors.
Kribensis eat pellets, flakes, live or frozen foods like bloodworms, and vegetables for good health. To keep them happy with angelfish, put them in a 30-gallon tank with hiding spots and territories for each fish.
9. Bushynose Pleco (Ancistrus sp.)
The Bushynose Pleco is a good friend of Angelfish in a tank because it is calm. It cleans the tank by eating algae and extra food. This fish is simple to care for and likes stable water with places to hide. They are small, around 4-5 inches, and can live in most community tanks.
To keep Bushynose Plecos healthy, feed them sinking algae pellets, vegetables like zucchini or cucumber, and some meaty foods. They should live in a 30-gallon tank with Angelfish, as they get along well together. Bushynose Plecos are peaceful, but Angelfish can be territorial.
10. Ram Cichlids (Mikrogeophagus ramirezi)
Ram Cichlids are good tank mates for Angelfish because they are peaceful and have similar needs. They are colorful with bright blues and yellows. Ram Cichlids are calm and get along well with Angelfish. They are small, about 2 inches long, which looks nice next to the bigger Angelfish.
Ram Cichlids eat flake food and sometimes frozen foods like brine shrimp. They need a 20-gallon tank to live comfortably with Angelfish. Keeping Ram Cichlids and Angelfish together can enhance the appearance of your aquarium.
11. Otocinclus Catfish (Otocinclus sp.)
Otocinclus Catfish are good freshwater angelfish tank mates. They are peaceful and help keep the tank clean by eating algae.
Otocinclus catfish are small, only about 2 inches long, and are simple to take care of. They eat algae but may also need plant-based or algae wafer supplements. Keep them in a 20-gallon tank so they have enough room to live comfortably with angelfish.
Which is the Best Tank Mate For Angelfish?
Small tanks are best suited for Boesemani Rainbow Fish, Corydoras Catfish, Dwarf Gourami, Platies, and Zebra Loaches as tank mates for Angelfish. These fish are peaceful and colorful, creating a lively environment.
In larger tanks, Mollies, Kribensis, Bushynose Pleco, Ram Cichlids, and Otocinclus Catfish are good companions for Angelfish. They thrive in spacious tanks and bring variety in colors and textures. Otocinclus Catfish also help control algae in the tank.
How I Choose Angelfish Tank Mates
Aquarium Level
When I pick friends for my angelfish, I think about where they swim in the tank. Angelfish like to stay at the top, so I choose buddies that stay in the middle or bottom. This helps keep a good balance in the tank.
Water Parameters
Angelfish do well in slightly acidic water with a pH of 6.5-7.0 and temperatures of 78-82 F. It’s important to pick fish that like the same water conditions.
Size
When choosing angel fish tank mates, consider their size. It’s best to choose species that are the same size or bigger than the angelfish to avoid aggression or being eaten.
Aggression Levels
Before putting fish together in a tank, make sure to know how aggressive they are. Choosing peaceful fish, such as tetras or corydoras, can help keep the tank calm and prevent fights.
Conclusion
Choose tank mates carefully for your angelfish to keep a peaceful environment. This article lists the 11 best angelfish tank mates that get along well with angelfish. Adding these fish to your tank can make it more beautiful and diverse while keeping your angelfish happy. Watch how the fish behave together and make sure they all get along. Do your research and plan before adding new fish to your angelfish tank.
FAQs
What are Bad Tank Mates for Angelfish?
Aggressive cichlids like convicts or jaguar cichlids can stress and harm angelfish. Fin nippers like tiger barbs or serpae tetras should be avoided in angelfish tanks as they can harm the angelfish. To make a peaceful tank with angelfish, choose species that won’t cause trouble.
How Many Angelfish Should be Together?
Angelfish like to be in groups of 5-6 for socializing. Make sure the tank has hiding spots and plants for them to feel comfortable. Angelfish are happier in bigger groups, which is similar to how they live in the wild.
Can Angelfish Live with Betta?
Angelfish and bettas should not be kept together because they can be territorial and aggressive. It’s best to keep angelfish with calm fish and bettas in separate tanks to avoid aggression. Having a large tank with hiding spots can help, but there is still a risk of conflict.