Angel In A 20 Gallon

[laknarf]

One of my tanks is a 20 gallon and all I have in there is a mature size Angel and an Albino Bristlenose catfish.
I want to add something to the tank to "perk it up" but I know that I am limited.
I was thinking either a trio of black sailfin mollies or fancy guppies. I thought that either would add color and movement to the tank, PLUS since they are prolific the young would be good for the Angel and if there were enough I could feed the young to my African tanks.
I'm looking for your thoughts

Thanks,
Al

 

[shroob]

Don't think a 20 gallon will be tall enough for an angel, I could be wrong though, whats the dimensions?

 

[Ally555]

I'm not saying that you're wrong shroob, but I have a 23 or so gallon tank and it is tall enough for an angel. But we will wait and see what the dimensions are.

 

[laknarf]

I'm not saying that you're wrong shroob, but I have a 23 or so gallon tank and it is tall enough for an angel. But we will wait and see what the dimensions are.

The dimensions are 17 inches high
24 inches wide
12 inches back to front
and the Angel from top point of fin to bottom point of fin is approx 7 or 8 inches.

Ally555.......I just returned 2 weeks ago from your beautiful country (Sydney-Melbourne-Tasmania).
Beautiful country, beautiful people

 

[Tolak]

Standard 20 high tank, should be fine as long as you don't add 3" of substrate. Livebearers are a good option, I always tend to like platys, nice color range to choose from.

 

[joshrm115]

Well if you get them small it will work for a little while/ A friend of mine at work had one in a 10 gallon all buy its self for seven years then it died so ill let you decide.

 

[Tolak]

Newly free swimming fry 40 fry per gallon
Two week old fry 20 fry per gallon
Month old fry 10 fry per gallon
Pea size bodies 3 fish per gallon
Dime size bodies 2 fish per gallon
Nickel size bodies 1 fish per gallon
Quarter size bodies 1 fish per 2 gallons
Silver Dollar size bodies 1 fish per 3 gallons
Potential breeders 1 fish per 5 gallons
Show Specimens 1 fish per 10 gallons
One breeding pair 20 gallon high tank


This is pretty much standard stocking in regards to angel breeding. This doesn't mean you can keep a dollar body size angel in a 3 gallon tank. Anything quarter or better body size does need the depth of at least a 20 high to allow for proper fin growth.

You will notice that a pair is the only ones specifically mentioned to a tank, 20 highs are the usual tank used by breeders for pairs. For an exceptionally large pair of veils a 29 is better with its 18" of water depth.

So, if you take one angel in a 20 high, and in place of its mate add a few livebearers & a small plec you have pretty much the same stocking. If you were to go with a 29 it would open up a few more options, such as a group of corys, or even a pair of dwarf cichlids which prefer the bottom of the tank.