Aggressive Angelfish Help!!!

Hello I have a 20 gallon lightly planted freshwater tank I have 2 angelfish inside it one being a Koi Angelfish the other I was told it was a Blushing Koi Angelfish. When I first got them about 6 months ago they were both around the same size the Blushing koi angelfish was slight bigger and wasn't too noticeable in the beginning. Not too long after that (maybe a few weeks) I notice they begin to fight with each other and I did not think anything of it at the time because they were always seen following each other around. Fast forward I ended up relocating them inside of a separate tank for a month or two and I noticed the koi angelfish began to grow and caught up in size to the Blushing Koi Angelfish. I ended up putting them back in the original tank and now I noticed the Blushing Koi angelfish is significantly bigger again. My Koi Angelfish has barely been eating and the bright orange color at the top of its head is faded probably due to the constant bullying from the other fish. The Koi angelfish does not even fight back anymore it just runs. Again this is a 20 gallon tank long tank and i am starting to think the tank is not big enough for the two of them. I would really hate to give either one away but if I do which one should I give away? The healthy Blushing Koi Angelfish that seems to bully the other one? Or the stressed Koi angelfish with hopes of finding it a better home? I was also given a suggestion before to put a barrier up inside the tank I don't know if that will work but I am open to any suggestion that could help remedy the situation and not have to get rid of a fish if possible. There is also 5 Corydoras (3 Sterbai, 2 emerald) inside of the tank. I am conflicted with giving away one of my angelfish and I do need to say getting a bigger tank is not an option right now and the second tank I had I no longer have it. Please help.
My pH is 6.8
temperature 74 degrees F
ammonia: 0
Nitrates: 5ppm

 

To be honest a 20 gallon isn’t big enough for one angelfish in my opinion, let alone two. I’d rehome both or upgrade, although you have said that isn’t an option.

This is the issue with keeping angels in pairs - all seems well when they are young but when they mature they either seem to pair off or try and kill each other!

 

You need a 48-inch long , 18 inch tall tank, or larger to keep angel fish, You need to rehome them both, sorry, there are other options for a 20 gallon, betta gourami, killi fish...

 

To be honest a 20 gallon isn’t big enough for one angelfish in my opinion, let alone two. I’d rehome both or upgrade, although you have said that isn’t an option.

This is the issue with keeping angels in pairs - all seems well when they are young but when they mature they either seem to pair off or try and kill each other!

That does sadden me to hear that if I get rid of the bigger one do you think the other one will be ok for a lil while until I can upgrade?

 

do you think the other one will be ok for a lil while until I can upgrade?

No.
Maybe if you get a bigger tank (250 liter, 60cm height minimum) setup and cycled within the next two months.

 

You need to get it in a taller tank ASAP, Angelfish are one of the few species where height is more important than length. An angel fishes fins can fall and proceed to grow sideways If it is in a too-short tank for too long. , "like the whale in free willy"

 

You need a 48-inch long , 18 inch tall tank, or larger to keep angel fish, You need to rehome them both, sorry, there are other options for a 20 gallon, betta gourami, killi fish...

You need to get it in a taller tank ASAP, Angelfish are one of the few species where height is more important than length. An angel fishes fins can fall and proceed to grow sideways If it is in a too-short tank for too long. , "like the whale in free willy"

A taller tank isn't an option right now is there anything else you can think of?

 

Limits to what can thrive in a tank are a hard fact that you can't get around.

 

Is your 20 a tall or long? A tall is 16 high and a long is only 12. The tall will work (for one) as per the moderator of this very forum in this Angelfish care guide. You must re-home one.

Angelfish Care, Size, Life Span, Tank Mates, Breeding

Maintained properly and not overstocked the fish will do well in your tank. Your 1 angel and 5 corys would be max in my opinion, but plenty of folks here stock their tanks at much higher levels.

 

Part of the problem with keeping one much less two angels in a 20 gallon is they will likely become stunted if they are young. This means the angels will not reach full size but their organs will and will be 'cramed' into a smaller body. It just isn't healthy. As for the aggression that might mellow or time once one becomes 'boss' but if they will both about equal in strength they might not reach a compromise.

Also the temp is a bit too low for angelfishes; and i believe unhealthy. It really should in my opinion be closer to 78.

Personally with your current stocking i would not only return the angels to the fish store (if they will take them) but limit myself to something small - maybe 3 honey gourami or 5 sparkling gourami.

 

Part of the problem with keeping one much less two angels in a 20 gallon is they will likely become stunted if they are young. This means the angels will not reach full size but their organs will and will be 'cramed' into a smaller body. It just isn't healthy.

Not exactly, Angelfish when stunted usually tend to stunt in height growth, meaning the fins will become deformed, with the dorsal usually being bend backwards and the ventral and analfins slightly curling. The organs develop normally. But that won't help much, put in a higher tank these fish will have problems with keeping balance. So, while in detail it's actually different, in practice the fish will become a quasimodo.

 

Not exactly, Angelfish when stunted usually tend to stunt in height growth, meaning the fins will become deformed, with the dorsal usually being bend backwards and the ventral and analfins slightly curling. The organs develop normally. But that won't help much, put in a higher tank these fish will have problems with keeping balance. So, while in detail it's actually different, in practice the fish will become a quasimodo.

I was repeating what i've read with regards to organs; the angels I have had that were stunted had no problem in a larger tank and they largely appeared to be just smaller angels; with oversized eyes. However they do not seem to live that long relative to a normal angel. No clue which stunted angels you've dealt with that couldn't swim in a larger tank but that is the first time i've heard that reported.

I've taken their shorten life span as being support for issues with their organs but perhaps it was something else. All of my stunted angels (I had 2) died after about 24 months; I do have a runt of a cockatoo with a heavily deformed mouth that has out lived all of his brothers and sisters by a significant margin but perhaps his problem is different.

 

Is your 20 a tall or long? A tall is 16 high and a long is only 12. The tall will work (for one) as per the moderator of this very forum in this Angelfish care guide. You must re-home one.

Angelfish Care, Size, Life Span, Tank Mates, Breeding

Maintained properly and not overstocked the fish will do well in your tank. Your 1 angel and 5 corys would be max in my opinion, but plenty of folks here stock their tanks at much higher levels.

If I was to make a fish tower would that help I found a 6 gallon nano tank that I could possibly do it with. It would also add 19 inches to the tank? Is it worst it or no?

I was repeating what i've read with regards to organs; the angels I have had that were stunted had no problem in a larger tank and they largely appeared to be just smaller angels; with oversized eyes. However they do not seem to live that long relative to a normal angel. No clue which stunted angels you've dealt with that couldn't swim in a larger tank but that is the first time i've heard that reported.

I've taken their shorten life span as being support for issues with their organs but perhaps it was something else. All of my stunted angels (I had 2) died after about 24 months; I do have a runt of a cockatoo with a heavily deformed mouth that has out lived all of his brothers and sisters by a significant margin but perhaps his problem is different.

If I was to make a fish tower would that help I found a 6 gallon nano tank that I could possibly do it with. It would also add 19 inches to the tank? Is it worst it or no?

Part of the problem with keeping one much less two angels in a 20 gallon is they will likely become stunted if they are young. This means the angels will not reach full size but their organs will and will be 'cramed' into a smaller body. It just isn't healthy. As for the aggression that might mellow or time once one becomes 'boss' but if they will both about equal in strength they might not reach a compromise.

Also the temp is a bit too low for angelfishes; and i believe unhealthy. It really should in my opinion be closer to 78.

Personally with your current stocking i would not only return the angels to the fish store (if they will take them) but limit myself to something small - maybe 3 honey gourami or 5 sparkling gourami.

If I was to make a fish tower would that help I found a 6 gallon nano tank that I could possibly do it with. It would also add 19 inches to the tank? Is it worst it or no?

 

No. I think you should accept that the tank is not large enough and find a smaller fish. There are many suitable fishes for a 20 high (or even an extra tall 20 high) but angelfishes are not suitable candidate.