Amazon Angelfish Tank

Jethro85

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I have finished cycling my new 55 gallon tank and I will be adding fish very soon. I have decided to go with an Amazon theme in my tank. I already know that I want to have angelfish and corydora catfish (and one day I want to get a Zebra Pleco when I can afford one). Other than the angelfish and corydoras, what other fish from the amazon should I put in my tank?? Also how many of each type of fish should I get?
 
Angelfish, tetras, Cories, hatchetfish, Discus. If you did lots of research and were very skilled, even a group of Piranhas would be suitable for a Amazon theme aquarium. The fish may be illegal in some areas, but if they aren't, it is possible to grow them to a medium size of about 6 inches or so and even keep similiar sized fish with them. The larger piranhas get, the more docile they become.
~ ~
If I were going to do a Amazon theme I would try to mimic a flooded Amazon forest. This setup requires a fine substrate with sprinklings of black gravel of various sizes, scattered along the bottom includes wood like Cork bark and driftwood, floating live plants and thick bunches of plants assorted around the tank create the 'flooded forest' look. Oh yes, another fish I would consider for the Amazon theme is the Arowana--these fish are common naturally in flooded forests but they can only be kept with other large fish and their eventual size must be kept in mind of almost 39 inches in some cases.
Large majestic groups of Angelfish, two dozen hatchet fish, neons, cardinals, red nose, black widows, and other amazonian schooling fish make a wonderful display. Catfish such as the very interesting Farlowella catfish would be a great addition to this sort of setup--. But of course, the good old Corydoras catfish--also from the amazon--- are still the best winners and probably the cutest of the catfish. Several species each with their own little school would make a interesting bottom feeder display. Don't forget about Discus, usually Discus don't do very well with Angelfish so they are best kept as the show fish of the tank only. I would estimate you could keep at least 4-6 along with the other fish I mentioned. Dwarf ram cichlids make a beautiful display with either Angels or Discus. There are so many beautiful exotic pleco species that can make good tankmates for oscars and Arowanas. They are well worth looking into as well.. With so many varieties--it's hard to list all the plecostomus species!
Another option you could consider---if you are really commited and want something different, is to keep freshwater Stingrays. There are a few species of Amazonian freshwater stingrays such as (Potamotrygon Spp.) all are well worth observing but require quite a bit different care. just a thought!

~Extract from a website :)
 
Ok just to point out the flaws in that post from a website, arrowana and rays are not suitable for this tank they get waaaayyyyy to big.

Now with the angels and the cories there are quite a few interesting fish you could mix with them I think. Are you having a sand substrate with your cories? I think if it were me I would do
2 Angels
4 Bolivian Rams or 4 Cupid Cichlids (the latter definitely need sand though)
10 Three Line Pencilfish or Golden Pencilfish
6 Silver Hatchets or Marbled
8 Corydora Sterbai (or similar)
2 Twig Catfish (various species)

Other options would include, various other schoolers IE tetras, spotted headstanders, other dwarf cichlids similar to the rams. Or instead of having the rams you could up the angels numbers, the number of angels in a 55 tank is a disputed subject I would say you would be safe with 4 and could maybe push 5, dependent on temperament of the individuals.

Hope thats helped :)
Wills
 
oops, maybe i should have put in;- that the extract wasnt specifically wrote for the OP and they should research before they buy fish! :crazy:
 
Amazon biotopes are probably my favorite type of tank out there! Great decision! Have you thought about whether or not to include live plants? Valisnaria is native to the amazon and one of my favorite aquarium plants. You could filter through peat to add an authentic amber tint to your water too!

I'd go with about 5 angels, 7 corys and a largish school of tetras. Something on the small side, but big enough that the angels won't eat them. Mabye black neon tetras?

Bolivian rams and hatchet fish are fine ideas too.
 

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