Dasha

My husband would really like for me to add "a big fish" to our tank. I'm planning a 33 gallon tank, so far I have 4 red eyed tetras. Will add 1 or 2 more so that they are not aggresive.

Can I have just 1 angelfish or do they have to be in pairs? If I can have one, can I put it in with 6 red-yed tetras, some cories and otos and perhaps one dwarf gourami? I was thinking of 6 danios but I bight give them up for the angelfish...

Dasha

TheEssigs

Angelfish can be kept in a community setting, as long as their tankmates are not overly aggressive or habitual fin nippers. Fast-swimming fishes may also make angelfish nervous and may outcompete them for food. No more than one pair should be housed in 30-gallon high aquarium.

Butterfly

You could put one Angelfish in that tank and it would be beautiful. I don't recommend a gourami as tank mate tho. Some have had good luck with that combination but you just don't know what their temperament is going to be until you get them. Could be a war zone as both like to claim territories.
Carol

Bonochick

You could have one...but I will say that when I introduced a new angel to the tank, my current angel instantly perked up. They were best buds, wonderful company for each other. When the original one died, then the newer one seemed totally depressed and lost until I got him a new companion.

I have both of my angels with tetras, rosy barbs, and a pleco with no problems.

Isabella

With Angelfish, you never know if 2 Angels that you get will get along or not. They may be best buddies or worst enemies. Especially that you cannot tell whether you're getting males or females. A best combination is a male and female. If you want to increase the chances of your 2 Angelfish being peaceful with each other, get them from the same batch, where they're already used to each other.

You certainly can have 1 Angelfish in a 33 gallon tank ... but I personally would feel sorry for a lonely Angel. I think Angels like company. They're so intelligent and I think they are bored and feeling lonely when they're single. But that's my opinion. And for this reason I wouldn't want to have 1 Angel only.

Like Carol said, do not mix Angels with Gouramis. Not a good idea. They'd most likely fight a lot.

Dasha

Thanks so much. It seems like I'd have to get 2 angels which would put a huge dent in my inches-of-fish allowance...

I guess I'll stick with a dwarf gourami - one of those won't get lonely, right?
Dasha

Isabella

Dasha, like I said, you certainly CAN have one Angelfish in your 33 gallon tank. Only don't mix a Gourami with an Angel. Get either Angel(s) or Gourami(s). Look, I know you're worried about overstocking, and I understand. Angelfish certainly DO produce much more wastes than smaller fish do. So it's up to you, really. As I've said before, you CAN have one Angel, no problem there. It's just me personally who thinks that Angels like to have a companion. I just personally don't like any fish single (except Bettas as I know they'll fight to death, and a single fish is better than a dead fish!). I know I wouldn't want to live all my life alone, and animals most likely wouldn't want that either. Besides, very few species of fish lead solitary lives. Vast majority of freshwater fish live either in groups or pairs. It's just my view on keeping 1 Angelfish.

That's why large tanks are so much better (if one has the space and the budget for them, as I understand they can be very expensive). In a large tank, you have so much more space for fish and can choose among so many more species. Not to mention that large tanks have a more stable water chemistry.

skippi

Dasha If you like angels I would go for it you can start with one and chances are you are going to really love them and want to get a bigger tank so you can get more of them anyway.. Just dont mix them with fin nippers like carol and isabella said. Enjoy

Heidi