Information On Leopoldi Angelfish

[rob_cool1]

Hey all.
I've been told that my tank isn't big enough for standard sized angelfish.
I have a 620t which is 2ft wide and 2ft tall.
I've done some research and found some stuff about this angelfish aka dwarf angelfish etc.
I would like to know if these fish would be ok in my tank as they only get 2inches long and 6inches tall.
also does anyone know where I can get them? I've seen that there quite rare

cheers
rob

 

[Davo86]

Hi Rob, Leopoldi Angels are smaller, but require much more specific water conditions and in a larger aquarium this is always going to be easier to maintain,

Personally in the tall 620T I'd be happy keeping an established Breeding pair, but in terms of a community involving Angles then no its not the most suitable

 

[MBOU]

I used a 620T for a breeding pair of angels and no other fish absolutely fine but like Dave said, its not big enough to support any angels on top of a community, especially as it would have to be larger community fish to stop the angels eating the smaller ones.

Leopoldi Angels arent really something you would come accross in a shop, you'd be looking more for a breeder or specialist...

 

[minnnt]

Not strictly true, a couple of my LFS have had these in before. They're also on order lists if you ask nicely...

Breeding pair of normal Scalare would be fine. Mine are happily breeding in a 24x12x15 tank.

 

[MBOU]

True but not many LFS are likely to choose to stock em. Makes me sad to keep seeing them and Altum Angels on the list... i really want Altums again **sigh**

Did say specialists to cover shops that stock oddballs and less commonly seen species my idea of a real lfs

 

[rob_cool1]

Hey thanks for the replies.
I only have barbs, corys and plecs as my other fish and Cichlids don't tend to go for these ? if so i could take the smaller ones out and keep the larger ones.
Yeah i asked the guy at my lfs to look for them next time he orders and give me a call to tell me the price. anyone know how much they could be? seen a breeding pair go for £50!

I keep my tanks water conditions regular, get it tested a lot and change every week and has been constant for ages so should be fine
Do any of you have any experience with these fish?

 

[minnnt]

Hi Rob. If you join a facebook group called 'south shields tropicals' and ask Jason Bonar, he has some in stock I believe for about £5 a piece.

Unsure about a breeding pair of Leopoldi, but scalare pairs go for around £25-£30 on average.

And... just be aware that Leopoldi aren't actually that much smaller than domestically bred Scalare. The only keeper I know currently is walkers101.

 

[rob_cool1]

Cheers for the help. messaged him so hopefully he has some.

That's not bad, hopefully if I get some they'll pair up do angels care for the babies as well as other cichlids?
yeah I know there not tat much smaller but small enough For my tank
I might get in contact with walkers101 find out more info

Thanks again for all the help

 

[minnnt]

You're welcome. Angels have a tendancy to eat their eggs and fry the first few times and are often spooked into eating them after that too. Mine are currently raising a brood. I would check aquarist classifieds, gumtree or eBay for a pair of normal Scalare... they will be fine in your tank if they are a mated pair.

 

[rob_cool1]

Really I was told by loads they wouldn't. But they have to be a pair otherwise it wouldn't be suitable? Or can I get a male and female and.hope for the best?
Il have a look on those sites thanks

Cheers

 

[minnnt]

No, they would need to be a mated pair otherwise they would bicker. Some Angels are sexable but others can be very tricky. The best way to sex them is to wait for their ovipositors to show... Some males have a sligh nauchal hump, but that is by no means an exact method for sexing.

 

[MBOU]

You cant really sex them very easy. 9 out of 10 people selling in shops that say they can sex them generally cant

I always say that I can have an educated guess as without seeing them breeding or in breeding condition, its impossible to tell for sure. Though happy to say I am yet to be wrong its all in their vent, the body shape and their attitude. Males generally get a nuchal (sp) hump (the bump on their forehead so to speak)... but thats no guarantee as I had several females that did too! They were more aggressive than normal females too, dont know if that means anything, wonder what hormone it is that makes the nuchal hump develop.

Buy a pair thats already paired up, a male and female might not chose to pair up and in such a small tank, they cant get away from each other and will do a lot of damage and the bullied one will probably end up dying if not removed. Angels have huge personalities and that makes them a great fish to own! It does however make them more tempermental!! They pick and choose their mates on their own terms and generally, they will get on better if they are the same colour.

 

[rob_cool1]

Ok thanks for the info. Started looking online for them, most people do.t want to send them which sucks
will they protect the babies from barbs, corys and plecs like other cichlids. My ellioti were good at this lol
if they breed sucessfully I might get another small tank for the babies to grow and sell them on. Might try and find some rarer angels and splash the cash on them. Seen a nice blue pair which look gorgeous

thanks again

 

[minnnt]

Angels are very aggressive when breeding as most cichlids are, and may force all other tank mates to one corner. I wouldn't hold out much hope for survivors in a community tank, but stranger things have happened.

 

[rob_cool1]

Ah, my Ellioti weren't much bother to my other fish, i think they all learnt to stay away. but i also thought that the Ellioti trusted some as the plecs got really close to the babies sometimes and only got chased when they were mixed in with them if that makes sense :L

If i get a pair of angels il probably take some out anyway as they'll take a big space. Will 3 plecs, 4 corys, say 6-8 either 5 banded or Odessa barbs be alright? Maybe keep the 4 of each i already have. I also have 1 Ellioti (defiantly get removed when i get the angels), 2 killfish (will remove if i have to, but there no bother and stay up the top all day), 2 red tiger barbs and 1 cherry.

This is what my tank looks like currently:

Also, is it alright if that long plant wraps round the heater?

Cheers