Change of plans,

[Discomafia]

I've decided to go with a pair of angelfish and a few cories in my 33 gal, I think the 33gal. might be too small for the sev after all. What a pain in the neck, especially since I've done a lot of research and moved all my plants out. Oh well, the upside to this is that I can plant the tank, which is always a cause for celebration. And yea, I'm a big planted tank enthusiast. Really bummed couldn't plant the tank when I was planning a severum, but now I can do just that! I've a lot of hygro, val, some sword plant, c.wenditii as well as a lot of rotala indica.

I know angelfish don't like a strong current, but I can't do anything about the filtration I'm afraid, I already have them... I can try to create as little current as possible, not sure how though. DIY'ers out there, any suggestions?

What other plants do you all recommend? As for the tank setup, how should I arrange the slate? I don't usually use slate in my tanks, just driftwood. I'll prolly go for a main piece in the middle to accompany my one I already have in the left side, and try to root some plants on them (java fern, riccia...) Or maybe I'll move the one on the left out into another tank, we'll see how the main peice looks like.

How many cories can I keep? Does 5 sound like too many? I want the albino variety. As for gravel with the angel, no can do because the tank already has play sand in it. As for the actually kind of angelfish, what variety would you all recommend? I don't know the difference between most of them, so I'll go to some angelfish website and decide what I want.

I'm also looking for any personal experience people may have with keeping angels, so please share some with me. Thanks!

 

[Waterloo Kid]

I'm thinking of getting some angelfish too. Personally I'm plumbing for Altum angels. You just cannot beat that regal elegance they have. As for different species and strains, you could do worse than checking out Angelsplus.com . A very good site on species description and origins. A bunch of other useful info too. I too really enjoy the plants in my tank. It adds an extra dimension to fishkeeping and also greatly improves water quality. Angels prefer vertically orientated plants like vallis etc. Basically anything they can blend their vertical stripes into. Saying that, it's not a firm requirement. Have you thought about a large leafed plant such as Anubia Bartari etc. This would provide them with a leafy platform to hide under or spawn on. A large Amazon Sword would be good too.
As for the current, you don't actually say what filter you have but could you add a spray bar or maybe direct the current at the glass to break up the flow?
You don't need slate. Leave it out if you want to. Angels in the wild do not have slate to spawn on. They use plant leaves. I think people use slate to spawn angels as it's easy to remove the slate and eggs in order to remotely raise the fry.
I have never kept corys so can't really give any advice here apart from the fact that they do well in shoals and require good water quality. Keep the tank slightly understocked to maintain low nitrates. Six three inche corys would be OK I suppose. With the plants you might be able to stretch that a bit.

Good luck with your project. Angels are lovely fish and can be quite characters.

WK

P.S.
If you want a breeding pair, start off with six or so juveniles and let a pair form. Then get rid of the rest before all hell breaks loose!

 

[parker313]

5 cories will be fine They're low waste producers and don't have territorial "needs". Since they're bottom dwellers, they won't be getting in the angels' way or vice versa.

If you want a breeding pair, ditto the PP - get 6 juvies and let them pair off and then rehome the other 4.

My favorite strain of angel is the gold marble. I love the silver and black marbling with a hint of the gold color.

 

[BlueIce]

If it's a hang on back filter,just attach a sponge to the front where the water comes out...(right under the water flow)

 

[fufanu360]

dahh you should have kept the severum idea, but i see why you changed, as a single fish in a 33 gallon would not be that exciting, buta severum woulda been.... oh well angel are at least cichlids

 

[Discomafia]

Thanks for the replies guys! I'll go with that sponge idea BlueIce. And I thought a single fish would get pretty bored after a while, plus it'd be a bit cramped, so I decided not to get a sev after all.

As for my filter I have one Penguin 170 and an Aquaclear 200 (the numbers represent their gph's) And thanks for that website Waterloo Kid, it's great! Also I'll have to check with my lfs if I can return them or not. I might be getting some from a breeder, so what happens if I can't return it or if I get two males. Or females. I know angelfish are pretty peaceful fish escept for when spawning, but will they fight over the tank?

Or is it sort of up to the various fish's personality? Thanks for all the answers so far.