Neon Tetras And Angelfish?

[Yeved]

I currently have a juvenile angelfish. Approx 1.5 inches. My kids and myself would like to add a school of neon tetras. We also currently have black/glowfish tetras and zebra danios. I know in The wild angelfish feed on neons. Do you think a school of neons would be OK in my tank? 55 gallon.

 

[Ninjouzata]

Once the angel gets bigger they will likely become snacks, unfortunately. You'll want to stick to more deep bodied fish.

 

[SeanTrollope]

NO!!!!! my bro tried that anf it failed instantly

 

[Byron]

Agreed.  Some have had it work, but this is not the norm.  Generally, linear fish are more prone to being eaten, or the attempt will be made, than disk-shaped fish.  Remember that the angelfish should grow to about 6 inches in body length with an 8+ inch vertical fin span.
 
Angelfish are not likely to feed on neons in the wild; their natural food is primarily insect larvae, crustaceans and small invertebrates.  But angelfish are naturally predatory, though not to fish necessarily, but as so often happens, when we confine fish to the very small enclosed space of an aquarium their behaviours can change somewhat, as here.
 
Tankmates for angelfish also should not be any species even slightly prone to fin nip.  Many tetra will.
 
Byron.

 

[attibones]

Hatchet fish, I have heard, work well with angels. Their deep bodies prevent them from becoming food. They also tend to be fairly peaceful. The marbled variety are smaller and might not be big enough, but I think the silver ones are still pretty and interesting. They are jumpers though. They also need to be kept in large schools and they like plants to provide security. Otherwise, they seem to work well. However, I have not kept them with angels (or at all, but I plan to soon), so I may be totally wrong.

 

[Goggy]

angels and neon tetras do not go well once the angel grows it will attack neons or even eat them bad idea

 

[Yeved]

Do you think cardinal tetras would do better? Or not?

 

[Ninjouzata]

Cardinal tetras are just the tiniest bit bigger than neons so still a no go, sorry

 

[Byron]

Agree.  Avoid linear fish, meaning those shaped like a cigar or torpedo...neons, glowlights, cardinals, etc.  Tetra that do work are the disk-shaped species like the Rosy Tetra, Roberti Tetra, Garnet Tetra.  Just make sure it is not a fin nipper as a few can be (Serpae, Bleeding Heart come to mind to avoid).