Your Own Experiences Keeping An Angelfish In A Smaller Tank

[jvdb]

I am well aware of the size angelfish grow to as well as their agression and tank needs.  I know 29 gallons is the recommended minimum size for an angelfish to thrive but am curious if anybody has had great success keeping them in smaller environments.  Ideally I am thinking a single angelfish for the tank with MAYBE some cardinal tetras provided they don't end up nipping fins or becoming dinner.  Willing to moniter water conditions daily and water change as frequently as needed - daily if required.  I am not new to fish keeping but have never owned angel fish.
 
What are your experiences keeping an angel - not just a baby but one that has matured in a smaller tank?  What sort of upkeep did your tank require and any tips?

 

[star4]

IME angel fish get very easily stressed. I have a poorly one at the moment in a small tank while I am treating it for a missing eye. The wound is healing but he is not doing too well due to the stress of being in a smaller tank.

 

[fluttermoth]

I wouldn't want to see an angel in any tank that was less than three feet long and eighteen inches tall. That would be the minimum size for one, because of the angel's size and shape.

 

[frapadoodle]

I have kept Angels in 20gal. high tanks twice. Both times only for a week.
Once as an emergancy while I fixed a leak in my four footer. And once a pair went in for bullying.
I agree though Angelfish need a high tank, at least 18 inches. And a long tank. Along with nice tall broad leaved plants for cover.

 

[Dreamer03]

My mom kept a single angelfish in a 20 for 6 years. Forgot what other fish she has there.. She didnt have a problem. But i wouldnt keep them in a tank smaller than 29 either. Except for qarantine.

 

[hobby5]

Don't do it! Every success story here will be a lie as keeping a single angel is no success at all. In nature they live in groups and only get territorial for breeding.
 
Surely they can survive for quite some time in a small tank (I did that mistake in my beginners years with 2 (!) angels in a 15G tank), but what live did they have? They could hardly turn around.