Angels & Gourmais Compatability??

BeachBrooke · Jul 15, 2003

I recently set up my 29g tank equipped with an AquaClear200 filter and a Hagen Tronic 150W submersible heater. I want to get a trio of angelfish with either a trio of dwarf or pearl gouramis. I need advice on which type of gourami and if a trio is too much or too little? Will the gouramis and angels be aggressive towards eachother? Also, I need help on what type of top feeders and bottom feeders. i read corydoras are a good way to go but i prefer kuhli loaches? Are kuhli loaches a hardy fish and do they feed on left over debris? What about top feeders, I have no idea about anything except maybe some type of tetra, possibly rummy nose?

Any responses would be great, Thank You very much! I really want ot start off on a good leg! Brooke

impur · Jul 15, 2003

Ok, if you get a trio of angels, and 2 pair up, the third will be killed most likely. I would suggest getting 4-6 and waiting for 2 to pair up, then sell the others back. Next, some gouramis are aggressive towards their own kind. If you can shoot for 2 females, i have always had good luck keeping 2 females. You will need some tall plants to break up the eye-line so they can hide if needed. Khuli loaches will do good for your bottom feeders. As far as top feeders i'm not a big fan of tetras or danios or neons, except to feed my cichlids with, so i wouldn't suggest them. My gouramis usually take care of all the food before it sinks anyways.

HTH

George Farmer · Jul 15, 2003

Hi,

Welcome to the board, I'm new too!

I take it you're from the USA in which case 29 gallons is 125 of our finest (English) litres. I have a Juwel Rio 125.

In my opinion you can't beat the stunning effect of a well-planted setup. It's not as hard as some people make out, just good lighting 12 hours a day (2 hour siesta to slow algae growth), 2 hi-spec flourescent tubes and a good fertiliser (remove carbon though).

I can recommend (from experience) a pair of Angels, a breeding pair if you can get them. Fascinating to watch! They're relatively hardy and will adapt to most water, check your fish shop's water parameters i.e. pH and hardness. They should be similar to yours. A shoal of tetras would look good, Rummynose are a true shoaling species and look stunning and thrive in a well-planted setup, about 8 would be enough. The Angels would appreciate plants too, they often egg lay on Amazon Swords! Have you thought about Cardinal Tetras as well, another good shoaling fish. It would be preferable for you to have softer, acidic water especially for the tetras. pH 7 or less, gH 10 or less and kH 7 or less. If your fish shop's specimens seem to be thriving in different conditions then go with that, if you do make any changes do it gradually.

Most Corydoras species are excellent ground feeders and I'd recommend the smaller Otocinclus species to help with algae.

You say you've just set your tank up. If this is the case then introduce new fish SLOWLY and keep an eye on your Ammonia and Nitrite levels. Add a couple of fish at a time to build up your beneficial bacteria in your filter. Be prepared for lots of water changes to start with when your Ammonia and Nitrite levels rise.

These are just suggestions made from personal experiences, there's a vitually infinite variety of setups but this has worked for me. Good luck and happy fishkeeping!

dolphin · Jul 15, 2003

Hi BeachBrooke

First, :hi:

to the forum.

Angels and gouramis will be fine together. The only problem will be is that they will guickly out grow the tank. You will have to think about getting a larger tank in time, or cut down on the number of larger fish you want to put in the tank, or get lots of filteration for the tank.

HTH