Maria's Angels

Hi, I have a 40 gallon corner planted tank. The plants are on the smaller side but are growing quickly. I have two dwarf loaches, four cherry barbs, two small danios and two small angel fish. I have had my fish in my tank for about two months (after cycling it). The temp is 78, pH is 6.8 and everything else tests within the normal range. The problem I'm having is that the smaller angel fish is chasing and nipping at my larger angel. It doesn't seem to matter where in the tank the larger one is, the smaller one still seems to harrass it. Is there anything I can do to stop this and will it eventually kill my larger angel? Please help, I would hate to lose either angel.

agabr123

hi and welcome to fishlore unfortunately there isn't much that you can do, angels are a bit different in that just putting two in the tank doesnt mean that they will pair up. IMO the only way to get a pair is to either

1. buy a proven breeding pair (this can get really expensive)
2. buy six juvenile angels of the same size/shape/type etc and wait for a pair to emerge, then remove/rehome/return/sell the others
3. get really, really lucky and have a pair emerge out of just two.

also, do the danios and the barbs school with each other? if not, i would consider returning either the barbs or danios and getting a full school of the one that you don't return (i.e. having six of either the danios or barbs).

are your loaches dwarf chain loaches? i'd look into getting at least two or three more if you can, they really prefer to be in groups

CHoffman

Alex, gave you some good info. Angels can be little stinkers..If they are not a pair they will harrass each other or one will do all the harrassing. I was in the same boat your in. It's very sad to watch one get picked on...I would consider rehoming, or taking back the bully to the LFS and just keep the one Angelfish..So sorry.

Maria's Angels

When I first bought my angel fish, I bought six and they were nickel size. After about a week they started dying. Of course I started treating the tank trying to figure out what they may of had. By the time I figured it out I only had the two left. It was never my intention to attempt to get a mating pair, I just wanted a couple that would get along but I am guessing that Angels don’t get along that way. I hate to have to get rid of one but I would hate for one to kill the other also. Will one end up killing the other if they are not separated? I know, it sounds like torture to keep them together; I will just have to separate them. Or, should I wait a little longer to see if the larger one defends himself and they start getting along?

My danios do not school with my barbs and I’m considering getting a couple more barbs because they seem to school better(I only have female and would like to have a couple male for their color); I just don’t know what to do with the danios. I would love to have some cardinal tetras to put some more color in the tank but I don’t know if the tank can hold them and if they would get along with the other fish - although from what I read, they are peaceful.

Although I had my doubts, I was told when I bought them that they were dwarf loaches (not chain) but I actually think they are Pakistani Loaches, something totally different than what they said (but hey, I’m a beginner and am learning and I do love these; they are so funny to watch!). I came home after buying them and looked them up and that is what they look like. It is also said that Pakistani loaches should be kept in a group of at least three, do you think I should still get another one? I also can’t find anywhere that says Pakistani Loaches eat algae; do you know if they do and if they don’t, should I get something that does? If so, what would you suggest?

Oh, I know, so many questions and concerns. Right now my first concern is my angel fish so, I can post the other info to other forums if necessary. I just appreciate all the insight from both of you.

mathas

Some will, some won't. Like most cichlids, angelfish have very distinct personalities... some are calm, some are aggressive. Sounds like you have an aggressive one.

I'm not sure if a smaller angelfish would outright kill a larger one, but there could be enough harassment that the victim becomes stressed enough to lose appetite or succumb to disease.

Almost all loaches do better in groups, so buying more is usually a good idea assuming you have enough room to support them.

Most loaches, and these are no exception, are bottom-feeders that scavenge through the substrate for food. They would likely eat an algae wafer on the bottom of the tank, but I doubt they would actively eat algae off the glass or decorations.

If you want an algae-eater for that size tank, you might look into a school of otos (if your water quality is pristine), a true siamese algae eater, a bristlenose plecostomus, or even nerite snails.

agabr123

i'd return the zebra danios if you can, or if you can afford it its a great excuse to buy another tank IMO you don't have room in the 40 gallon for another school, i'd just increase the number of barbs, although you can probably fit a school of 8 instead of 6.

i ran into the same problems with angels, i wanted a pair but i didn't care if they bred or not, i just wanted them to get along. unfortunately there are only a few ways to do it. i'm sorry you lost the other juvie angels

Maria's Angels

Well, let's see, I have two danios and one angel - that sounds like the start of a new tank to me! Thank you all for your insight. I do appreciate all your great information and suggestions. I am so glad I stumbled onto this site; I see I will be visiting often and enjoying all the forums here. Thank you for all your advise.