eric_m

hi.
I just got 3 marble angelfish, the person at the LFS almost didnt sell it to me because my pH was at 7.0 and she stressed that they have to be at 6.5.. I didnt want to chemically change my PH as a person from another LFS store told me I had to have 7.0 for Cardinals (My water condition naturally fell at PH 7.0)... I got the angels anyways and slowly acclimitized them do to the PH differences.. I just read that at 7.0 ph and 80 degrees are breeding conditions (providing they pair up).. is there a way to prevent them from breeding... or would I be ok with the settings I have now.. my water temp is at 80-81 degrees, PH 7.. Amomonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate less than 5.. will I have to drop my water temp or PH(i'd rather not play with the PH if I dont have to)

Chief_waterchanger

No way to prevent them from breeding without making their lives less comfortable, but the cardinals and rasboras will eat the fry if they do breed and you don't want the fry.

And no, they do not have to be at 6.5ph.. we have angelfish in our tanks that do just fine and we range from 7.4-7.8ph depending on the season. (Obviously that girl is clueless and is just another one of the many that spout things that they've heard whether or not they are true. )

eric_m

thats what I thought.. about the PH and pretty much forced her to give them..

thanks

Chief_waterchanger

Dino just pointed out the probable reason for her INSISTING it be a precise pH.

Worker: "pH must be _._ (7.0, 6.5. whatever)"
You: "But mine is .5 off of what you are saying"
Worker: "Here, we have a product for such a small price.. for $5 you can buy this pH up/pH down product.. Just add it EVERY TIME you do a waterchange and ..."

You can see where that conversation quickly goes.

Lucy

I know that conversation and I have a bottle of PH increaser to prove it.

COBettaCouple

LOL.. They don't have a clue there. Our angels are happy with a pH of 7.6, including their fry.

eric_m

so this is where the angelfish section is.. I have a feeling i will be here for awhile..

so the three are doing really well.. they seem to be in a constant state of hunger? is that normal? they are small.. they are about 2 - 3 inches.. also will 3 more put me over the top (my wife is pushing to get some koi angels 2-3 of them)..

Chief_waterchanger

You have to look at adult size and adult temperment. When they begin to get sexually mature and pairing off the pairs will fight to defend their territory. Since that is how angelfish usually behave and with the size they get as adults I would not suggest having that many in a tank under 100-150 gallons (mainly for length and more area for fish to get away than an actual need for that much water due to bioload issues.) I hope that makes sense.

Butterfly

angelfish are begging little pigs They will eat anytime they can con you into feeding them, So best to set how many times and how much you want to feed them in a day or they will have you feeding them all the time. They can convincingly give that "I haven't eaten in a week" wiggle and stare in an instant so be strong. Their stomachs are the size of one eye so feed accordingly.
Carol

COBettaCouple

So true! Everytime we pass the tank, our pair swim up to the front, wagging their tails and begging for treats like little aquatic puppies.

DarkRevoultions

Well, my pH is only at 6.8, and some fishes can tolerate the pH level like that. Although not many angels can.

I don't know how yours are doing, but if they are doing fine, then they should be alright. Try lowering the pH level with a pH decreaser.

I always have a lot of aquarium salt handy with me, and a lot of plants for all of my tanks. They help my water be conditioned, and so far I haven't really had so many deaths or ailments.

My 200, and 350 gallon never had any problems, just sometimes on the 29 gallon when I made a mistake on keeping the fishes together.

Big tip: DO NOT KEEP BUENOS AIRES, AND EELS TOGETHER WITH THE ANGELS!

Also, not all bala sharks can go together, they can attack the angels or vice versa, angels can attack balas.

I had some angels that attacked my convict and african cichlids before.

04_si

the ph of my tap water is 8.0, so its obviously the same in my tank. i first brought my angel home, and his body was a little bigger than a quarter. now its probably 3 inches.

you shouldve asked the person in the LFS what the ph of there tanks was. if you're on city water, im sure theres is VERY close to being the same as yours!