Angelfish tankmates

Herefishy07

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Would platies work?
Going through lists of fish in a 5 feet 150 gallon that would go with a pair of blue angelfish and a pair of another type of angelfish. Lemon tetras seem awesome, the stripped Raphael Catfish (built like a tank from MadMax 😊). I like the otocinclus, a pair of Gourami. And maybe 2 different types of dwarf cichlid pairs.
 
It would help to know both the tank dimensions and the water parameters (GH and pH here). Fish with some very different and demanding requirements have been mentioned, but without this information no one can really consider them (or anything else).
 
Interesting, on a web page I thought I read that the Striped Raphael Catfish would be ok with the angelfish. Good thing I'm being thorough.
My tank is (yet empty) 150 gallon, 5 feet by 24 " by 30?" 30 or 24 don't recall but it's definitely 150 gallon. Water parameters will be of the angelfish as that is my main goal fish. So, acidic, soft, with Beechwood or structure in middle so a school can swim around, lots of tall plants on both ends and back, some plants in the middle. A couple cave things or 3, not sure what yet. Fx6 canister and a fluval 403 or 303 canister or sponge strategically placed (?). I would also like to see a school, I thought lemon tetras, or one of the cardinal/neon tetras. (A bit early yet I suppose, started building up a list of fish slowly, methodically. Will be analyzing the different parameters). Will be planted with some swim space in middle. Thinking (hoping) the angels will be one pair each on their own ends of the aquarium. So far, I've seen mostly south American types of fish that have comparable social behaviors. I've been googling the different species and started with a chart listing the family type species such as angel, barbs, tetras, danios, guppies, swordtails, etc listed vertically and repeated horizontally with a red, yellow or green box to show if compatible.
 
Interesting, on a web page I thought I read that the Striped Raphael Catfish would be ok with the angelfish. Good thing I'm being thorough.
My tank is (yet empty) 150 gallon, 5 feet by 24 " by 30?" 30 or 24 don't recall but it's definitely 150 gallon. Water parameters will be of the angelfish as that is my main goal fish. So, acidic, soft, with Beechwood or structure in middle so a school can swim around, lots of tall plants on both ends and back, some plants in the middle. A couple cave things or 3, not sure what yet. Fx6 canister and a fluval 403 or 303 canister or sponge strategically placed (?). I would also like to see a school, I thought lemon tetras, or one of the cardinal/neon tetras. (A bit early yet I suppose, started building up a list of fish slowly, methodically. Will be analyzing the different parameters). Will be planted with some swim space in middle. Thinking (hoping) the angels will be one pair each on their own ends of the aquarium. So far, I've seen mostly south American types of fish that have comparable social behaviors. I've been googling the different species and started with a chart listing the family type species such as angel, barbs, tetras, danios, guppies, swordtails, etc listed vertically and repeated horizontally with a red, yellow or green box to show if compatible.

I just noticed that you are not the OP, so we (several of us) have mixed up two threads from two individuals. It would be better to start your own if you want to develop it, I'll leave that to you. A moderator can copy over relevant posts if you do this. In the interim, I will answer your questions and post some additional ones.

My first question is, what are your source water parameters? Adjusting these, depending what they are and what you would like, is not easy nor inexpensive (depending). The GH and pH of your tap water is the starting point; if it is suited to angelfish, that avoids a lot of extra work and risk to the fish. Angelfish are soft water fish, but they have quite a range into the moderately hard area.

Second, it would seem you do not have the angelfish now; do you intend four (two "pairs"? This is almost guaranteed to fail, even in a 5-foot tank; in an 8-foot two spawning pairs might work out. Also, the angelfish have to select each other and bond; any female and male may but more often may not bond, and the female is not long for this world. There are some important issues with this species, and I've no idea of your level of knowledge so I don't want to presume either way, but can explain further if asked.

Tankmates for angelfish are a bit tricky, but doable. Linear small fish, like many of the tetras (neons and cardinals for example) and rasboras, are not advisable. The rounder disk-shaped tetras are usually OK, just make sure they are not a species prone to fin nip, nor an active swimmer. The Rosy Tetra (Hyphessobrycon rosaceaus) and similar species tend to work well. As do most bottom fish, but nocturnally over-active catfish are not advisable, such fish can seriously stress out sedate fish. There are others, I will wait until I know more of the intention re the angelfish.

Now, a word about googling information. Much of it, not sure I can say the majority but it certainly seems likely, is completely unreliable and best ignored. We have had more than a few threads lately dealing with this problem. You really have to know the source of the information in order to trust it. There is a lot involved in the life of a fish as it relates to its "environment," quite different and far more complex than any terrestrial animal. And environment involves water parameters, numbers of the species, space, other species, habitat features (some may be crucial to the species' life), etc. Research is key to success.
 
I just noticed that you are not the OP, so we (several of us) have mixed up two threads from two individuals. It would be better to start your own if you want to develop it, I'll leave that to you. A moderator can copy over relevant posts if you do this. In the interim, I will answer your questions and post some additional ones.

My first question is, what are your source water parameters? Adjusting these, depending what they are and what you would like, is not easy nor inexpensive (depending). The GH and pH of your tap water is the starting point; if it is suited to angelfish, that avoids a lot of extra work and risk to the fish. Angelfish are soft water fish, but they have quite a range into the moderately hard area.

Second, it would seem you do not have the angelfish now; do you intend four (two "pairs"? This is almost guaranteed to fail, even in a 5-foot tank; in an 8-foot two spawning pairs might work out. Also, the angelfish have to select each other and bond; any female and male may but more often may not bond, and the female is not long for this world. There are some important issues with this species, and I've no idea of your level of knowledge so I don't want to presume either way, but can explain further if asked.

Tankmates for angelfish are a bit tricky, but doable. Linear small fish, like many of the tetras (neons and cardinals for example) and rasboras, are not advisable. The rounder disk-shaped tetras are usually OK, just make sure they are not a species prone to fin nip, nor an active swimmer. The Rosy Tetra (Hyphessobrycon rosaceaus) and similar species tend to work well. As do most bottom fish, but nocturnally over-active catfish are not advisable, such fish can seriously stress out sedate fish. There are others, I will wait until I know more of the intention re the angelfish.

Now, a word about googling information. Much of it, not sure I can say the majority but it certainly seems likely, is completely unreliable and best ignored. We have had more than a few threads lately dealing with this problem. You really have to know the source of the information in order to trust it. There is a lot involved in the life of a fish as it relates to its "environment," quite different and far more complex than any terrestrial animal. And environment involves water parameters, numbers of the species, space, other species, habitat features (some may be crucial to the species' life), etc. Research is key to success.
Wow
Ok
Thx
I thought I had already learned a lot and felt bad about my past experiences of fish keeping. You seem quite accurately knowledgeable and u appreciate your feedback. I have not yet
 
Would platies work?
Going through lists of fish in a 5 feet 150 gallon that would go with a pair of blue angelfish and a pair of another type of angelfish. Lemon tetras seem awesome, the stripped Raphael Catfish (built like a tank from MadMax 😊). I like the otocinclus, a pair of Gourami. And maybe 2 different types of dwarf cichlid pairs.
I'm posting all over the place. I'm not use to these forums and need to figure how they work. I'm on no hurry. My 150 gallon is still empty at this time... just preparing. Will post about it at a later time. My apologies i didn't mean to take over a post and thank you for all the info I got. I'll just keep reading for now.
 
I just noticed that you are not the OP, so we (several of us) have mixed up two threads from two individuals. It would be better to start your own if you want to develop it, I'll leave that to you. A moderator can copy over relevant posts if you do this. In the interim, I will answer your questions and post some additional ones.

I have moved the posts to start a new thread.
 

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