LolaLey

I'm wanting to start a new 30 gallon tank...so far I know for sure that I want

1 angelfish
2 BN plecos
and a red tail shark.

What other fish would you recommend that would behave nicely? I've heard gouramis are rather peaceful, how many could I fit in there? I don't want anything too tiny that the red tail will chase. What other fish would be ok? I don't really want any livebearers like guppies since I don't want to deal with the fry.

0morrokh

I'm not an expert on Angels but I believe they are happier with company. I would cross the RTS off your list...they will get aggressive and I think they get too big for a 30 anyway. I would be afraid he'd harass the Angel(s).

Some Gouramis can actually be pretty aggressive...Dwarf Gouramis especially are notorious for occasionally being bullies. Pearl Gouramis however would be a peaceful option. They get to 4" so you couldn't have too many of them. You could also/instead get a shoal of larger, peaceful tetras such as Cardinals. You just want to avoid smaller ones like Neons which may be eaten by the Angels.

fishbum

One angel would be fine.I would also stay away from the RT shark,they get rather large.Corydoras are fun,shoaling fish and they get along with everything.Tetras would work,and you have lots of different species to choose from. As long as you have enough hiding places if you get smaller fish, Gourami would be O.K.Cherry Barbs are easy and fun.I have a 30 gallon with 2 Angels,2 Cockatoo Cichlids,and 4 Pepper Corydoras.

COBettaCouple

welcome to fishlore! I like the angel & BNs, but in place of the RTS you might consider some fast swimming fish that can get out of the angel's way in a hurry if they need to. Gourami wouldn't work due to their territorialness. We have an angel in a 30g tank with Julies (cichlids).

LolaLey

Thanks for the suggestions!

I wasn't aware RTS got so large, the fishlore page says 10 gallon or larger...I assumed 30 would be ok. What would you recommend for a full grown RTS, just out of curiosity?

In any case, I think I might be doing a 40 gallon instead of 30. I originally was a bit confined space wise but I'm in the process of making a new tank stand and arranging furniture, so I can do a 40 gallon now.

I don't suppose tiger barbs are an option since they might nip at my angel(s), right? Would 2 angels be ok in a 40 gallon by the way?

I have some zebra danios in a 10 gallon tank right now (only 3 though)...but I plan on taking the betta that's with them to a 5 gallon later and putting the danios in the 40. Would that be ok? I'd probably get another 3/4 so they can have more company.

Ok so now we're at:

40 gallon
2 angels
2 BN plecos
6/7 zebra danios

And then some more possibilties are:

tiger barbs - if they are compatible, how many?
cherry barbs - how many would be ok?
glowlight tetras?
rasboras?
a couple of rainbow fish?

^^^ I'm only looking for one or two combinations that might work. I think rainbow fish would be kind of neat, could I have a couple of those with any of the others mentioned? Like maybe two rainbow fish and then another small school of either the barbs or tetras?

Also this is a side thing, but are BN plecos common? I can't remember if I saw any the last time I went to the LFS (or petsmart or petco, etc...)

Edit: I also don't need 2 angels if they might take up too much space. I don't know if angels like to be solo or not.

guppiemaster892

Get some gold barbs. They are peaceful and dont take up alot of room. My oponion is that gold barbs are the most peacful barbs. They are a little hardy though.

COBettaCouple

2 Angels can get along. If you get 2, try to get them the same size. Also be on the lookout for signs of them mating if you get a male and female or signs of them "buddying up". If either of those happens, the other fish are probably going to need to be relocated.

BN Plecos would go well with them I think. I don't see them in the pet stores a lot, but local fish shops or breeders would probably have some. You could also consider Cory Cats or Kuhli loaches for the bottom area of the tank.

Barbrella

Cherrys are the most peaceful barbs, with Gold barbs next.

You could have 6 - 8 cherry barbs, and some corys.

No tiger barbs with angels, or any other fish with flowing fins who does not move very quickly.

0morrokh

I agree w/ others on no tiger barbs, cherry barbs should be fine, glowlights are too small and might get eaten by the angels. What kind of rasboras were you considering? And rainbowfish need to be kept in shoals of 6. Research the species you're interested in as some rainbows get quite large. Also if you can't find BNs you could get a small shoal of otos for algae eaters.