How hardy are angels?

[ketyana]

I have suddenly a month ago lost all but one of my fish after about 3 years of having a successful and healthy tank going with no obvious reason i can find, when my last pentazona was still going I seized the opportunity to not start all over again and moved 8 golden babrbs and seeded gravel into the tank to keep it going, they have been in there since Tuesday.

I still however consider this a 'new tank' bacteria/stablity wise and therefore want to know in this situation how long would you wait before introducing angel fish? I plan to have two as my partner really wants them, I know the ones I want and they are small maybe 7ish cm each, and they will live with large rosy tetras (beyond eating size and a very gentle species) however I know next to nothing about angels and just wanted advice about when they can be added.

The barbs will be removed at the time I am 'floating' the angels, they will never meet the barbs have a barb only tank to return to when they have done their job of keeping the bacteria fed and happy.

 

[Tolak]

They're pretty tough despite their fragile looking fins. Being South American cichlids, they have much of that sort of attitude. I've had some get pretty beat up in various pairing & mating scuffles. Usually just a lot of fresh water changes and they healed right up.

Tolak

 

[DannyBoy17]

Mine got beaten up aswell, and healed. Actually, right now they are in a 50g koi quarentine tub in my basement, that isnt heated (it's an emergency!) and they're doin fine. Besides my Oscar, they are my toughest fishies!

--Dan

 

[ketyana]

So i can put Angels in a tank that has had fish in it for only two weeks?

 

[Jezah]

Depends on the parimeters. I would say 2 weeks is a good amount of time...but it kinda depends on tank size. Angels are hardy, but you have to have a tank deep enough for them. They can get up to 7 inches tall, so you need a tank at least double that height. They need a PH of 6.0 to 9.0 and they are sensitive to dirty water. So frequent water changes are a must, as well, they will die if the tank has to strong of a current. You will probably need to get something to place in the tank to stop the filter from splashing the water back in too forcefully.

 

[ketyana]

The filtration is under gravel so the current is not an issue with it, the tank is a fluval 800duo, so large enough

Thanks for the feed back, now I just need to wait til after I go away this weekend to get them

 

[Grey Legion]

My Angel is going on his sixth year now and doing fine, every once and awhile his fins get beat up but they always heal, I would agree that a tall tank is best to house them, but I have never done anything special other than that. I have a few Tetra's in the tank plus 2 Clown loaches and he does not bother or get bothered by any of them and is very happy in his little space. They are a good investment and provide a truly beautiful fish to keep.

Good luck and have fun !!