Help! Angelfish Attacking New Angelfish

[Sophiethecat]

Hello all. Im new to the fishkeeping so for my birthday I was given a 5 gallon aquarium kit. So far I have had a marbled angelfish living with two small cory cats. This angelfish is a little more than 1 inch in diameter. I decided to get a buddy for him and felt it safe to stick with the same kind of species. I bought a new angelfish about the same size, but it slightly longer fins. As soon as I put the new fish in there the old one has been chasing it and bumping into it. I've separated them temporarily, but does anyone have any suggestions to help them get along? I dont want to get rid of either of them but I dont want them to be unhappy either.
Thank you

 

[Tolak]

They will both be unhappy and you should consider getting rid of both if they are to be kept in a 5 gallon tank for any length of time. One inch body size or total size? One inch total size with fins size buys you a little time, look for at the very least a 20 gallon tank with 16" of water depth. One inch body size? They should not be in a 5 gallon, there is not enough water volume nor water depth for them to develop properly.

Angels are cichlids, and therefor territorial to some extent. The existing angel no doubt considers the whole of the small tank it's territory, another angel will be seen as a threat to that territory. Remove the first fish, keeping it in a bucket with an air stone for at least a couple of hours. Rearrange the tank decorations, angels key territory off of objects in the tank. After letting the new angel settle in, add the first. This will usually work in the proper size tank, in a tank that small it's hard to tell, as nobody regularly keeps angels that size in a tank that small. Best bet would probably be a divider.

 

[Sophiethecat]

Thank you, The body of each fish is a little less than one inch, I'd say fins included they are about one and a half inches in length... I think this gives me good reason not to trust people at the pet stores. I'll try the method you suggested. Otherwise I am considering bringing the new guy back tomorrow.

 

[Tolak]

If the shop told you you could keep even one angel in a 5 gallon I'd find another shop. Angels are tall fish, they need that water depth. They are also cichlids, while not as messy as most do produce the amount of waste you could expect of a fish that size. That is the reason for the water volume.

 

[MBOU]

Just to prove a point... i have a black angel, slightly long fins but not veiltail.... without its fins, it's body is about 10-12cm long then add tail.... its about 20-25cm long and about as tall as it is long!

I would get rid of both angelfish (devil fish more like it1!) and maybe get dwarf/honey/sparkling gouramis or a siamese fighter as a centrepiece for your tank.

 

[Sophiethecat]

I agree. Thank you for you advice. How exactly would you recommend getting rid of the fish though? I could still return the one I just purchased, but the other one i've had for a couple months, I dont really have the heart to flush him, and I dont know many fish enthusiasts in the area.

 

[Tolak]

Independent shops will take fish in, chains usually won't. Local clubs will take fish as well, if you let me know your location I can get some links for local clubs.