Blue Rams And Angelfish?

[ads25490]

Hi all,

Do you reckon it would be okay to add 2 small young angelfish in my 2ft tank (20 gallons) with my pair of blue rams? It's a heavily planted tank with lots of hiding places.

Thanks
Aaron

 

[Ninjouzata]

I wouldn't unless you have a bigger tank you plan to move the angels into once they get bigger.

 

[squidneh]

Unfortunately angelfish aren't suitable for that size tank, as Nin pointed out. Is it a 20 long or tall? Either way, they need a taller tank, generally 30 gallons minimum for one angel or a breeding pair. Personally I would aim for 40 gallons. Is a larger tank in the plans for the future? I've seen some HUGE angels - they would be very sorry looking and unhappy in a 20 gallon tank. My lfs had a full grown male so big I wouldn't have even wanted him in a 55 gallon.
 
There are many people who hold the opinion that angels should be kept in groups of around 5 which is more natural, although there are also many who have a single angel that is fine by itself.
 
If you are looking to get a breeding pair you would have to purchase 5-6, wait for two to pair off and then rehome the rest. The chances of two random angels pairing off are slim. That being said, a larger tank would be needed to accomplish this.

 

[Byron]

I agree with what other members have said.  An angelfish if healthy and in sufficient space will grow easily to six inches in body length, and with a vertical fin span of 8+ inches.  This requires space to develop properly.
 
In your 20g, a pair of rams if fine (I assume they have bonded and are not fighting each other) and you can have some "dither" fish, like a group of cory catfish perhaps, or a small group of small upper water fish.  Ember Tetra would be good, as they are small and you could have a group of 8-12.  The more "normal" tetra frequently get too large to work here.  Pencilfish are also good fish for rams, though not all of the species work.  The dwarf pencil, Nannostomus marginatus, is very good for this.
 
Byron.

 

[ads25490]

Thanks for all your replies, yes I have another tank that the angels could go in once bigger, and I do have sterbai corys and glowlight tetra with the rams

Aaron
What about a pair of gourami? Would they be better with the rams?

Aaron

 

[Byron]

Thanks for all your replies, yes I have another tank that the angels could go in once bigger, and I do have sterbai corys and glowlight tetra with the rams

Aaron
What about a pair of gourami? Would they be better with the rams?

Aaron

 
If we are still thinking of the 20g, I would not add gourami in with the cichlids.  There are some species of gourami that would be OK in this tank, but not together with the rams.  Males of both are territorial, and to be in their best health they need sufficient space around them.
 
Byron.

 

[snowflake311]

I think one dwarf gourami would be fine. They don't need to be in pairs so one would be good. The rams spend most of the time at the bottom and the  gourami is almost always near the top so I do not see any problems.  Gouramis are tough little fish and I really do not think the rams will mind him too much. because they both like to live in different parts of the tank I think it would be fine.