180l Tank - Angel Fish And What Shoal?

[Hels]

Hi all

we've just got a 180l tank, i've always fancied angel fish with a shoal probably of large tetras and a pair of gouramis... i'm not sure whether there will be enough space for the gouramis, what do you think??

i thought i'd start with a group of probably 5 angels... what else do you think i should go for?

Thanks

Hels x

 

[silverchild23]

Hi

First off, can I suggest that you only get a MAX of 4 Angels for the tank as it's only 180L, not small by any means but angels can grow to 6" long and the same in height. I'd say you might be better off getting two, as then you'd have more room for some dwarf cichlids, which would really enhance the looks of your tank.

For smaller fish, (I'm not sure about Guaramis I'm afraid), I'd suggest some dwarf cichlids like, say, some keyhole cichlids - they're beautiful natured and will get along with your angels just fine. Depending on your water parameters there's a good selection you could go for - blue rams, cockatoo cichlids, keyholes, etc. But make sure that you find out what specific requirements they all need otherwise you'l end up with alot of dead fish on your hands. I love our keyholes

For dither-fish, I'd suggest some rummynose tetra. They are very quick, so the angels would never catch them if they tried, plus if you put them in there with the young angels and they grow up together they'd never be seen as food anyway. Rummynose are REALLY cute and interesting to watch. I'd say a good shoal of 6-8 would be best.

You could also possibly get a bottom-feeder like a bristlenose pleco. They grow up to 6" which is fairly small for a pleco. Be careful whatever Pleco you get because some can grow 18" plus.

 

[Mystix212]

I agree, 4 angels max. Get even numbers as if you had 3, when they get older they may pick on a smaller one. Your best bet would be to get 4. A Bristlenose pleco are great and do not harm plants. Although with rummynose tetras they are plain boring silver with a red face (Hence the name). They are boring for colour. I would recommend 4-5 clown loaches for colour and spunk.
As with Gourami's, some dwarf species of various colours including honey, flame, blue etc would be good but may nip at a pleco. Dont worry as they are well-armored.

Add plants, rocks, caves and a natural gravel for decor and best results.

 

[silverchild23]

Awww....how could you say that about my cute little rummynose?

They're gorgeous with their little monkey faces

All ours are called Dave.

PS. Be careful with clown loaches as they grow quite large, around 5". Your tank may be too small with the angels in there aswell.

 

[Mystix212]

5"!!!!!!!! Clown Loaches grow to 12". Keep in mind it takes them 10 years on average to get there. After they hit 7" they slow down a lot. A 5" clown would be on average 4-5 years old.

P.S I've never found most etras beautiful. Of course you cant beat thier price but only few have great colours.

 

[silverchild23]

Sorry I'm a donkey. Still - it reiterates the point that the buggers get REALLY big (i just didnt realise HOW big)

I know what you mean about tetra. The only reason I got 'em was for my girlfriend. But I'm converted. They're great fun.

 

[Hels]

Thanks for the responses

I guess i was thinking that i'd start with 5 young angels and then as they matured i would keep two adults as a pair... do you think that 4 adults would get along okay?

I'd originally thought about congo tetras and a pair of pearl gourami...

but i do really like the idea of clown loaches and keyhole cichlids...

my water is quite hard though...so i dont know if that would be okay...

 

[Mystix212]

Sounds like a great set-up. All those fish can tolerate a higher pH but clowns cant do much more than 7.8.

Your angels would become very aggressive at breeding time, but since they will grow up with your other fish chances are they will tolerate them much more.

 

[bobross]

" Get even numbers as if you had 3, when they get older they may pick on a smaller one"...


just a quick q after reading that...

Wouldn't the smallest of the four fish get picked on as well?


Sorry, but I've never had any type of cichlid before. It was just a thought as I was reading this thread.




BobRoss

 

[Mystix212]

The only careful number to have is 2 and 3. 2 because they may form pairs and be a threat to other fish. 3 Because the smaller, or 'unlucky' one gets picked on.

 

[Tolak]

The only real careful number to have is one or two. One divider, or a second tank. Angels are cichlids, thus totally unpredictable. Sometimes multiple pairs work in a tank without a divider, sometimes they don't. Sometimes you will get one fish that is just aggressive, and size doesn't matter.

The best thing to have is a backup plan, either a divider, another tank, or someplace to rehome either the aggressive fish, or the odd one out if you get a pair.