Angels and cardinals?

Are they compatable? I was reading some posts and was thinking of getting about for my 37 gallon tank.
Tom

 

I have read that cardinal tetras are a natural food for angels in the wild. So, once the angel gets big enough for a tetra to fit in its mouth I'd say it was a goner.

--R

 

I forgot to add there are also 3 lemon tetras and 2 rams. I was thinking of when the lemon tetras were gone.
Tom

 

The angels will more than likely try to eat them unless they get full grown quicker than the angels. Once full grown the angels could probably not eat them, and they could outrun the angels by far. Good luck.

 

Oh, ya, I would only buy almost fuly grown carinals.
Tom

 

Cardindal tetra are like $12 each here....which is why we have neons in our tank.

 

I believe Angelfish raised from babies with small fish like many tetras won't eat these tetras. My 2 Angelfish were raised with 12 Neon Tetras. They never even tried to eat my Neons. Also, Angels in the wild are much larger than Angels raised in captivity. These wild Angels could probably fit small Neon Tetras in their mouths, but I don't think Angels raised in captivity can swallow adult Neon Tetras (unless the tetras are still small and growing). Adult Cardinal Tetras are even bigger then Neon Tetras, and I don't think any commercially bred Angelfish could possibly swallow an adult Cardinal Tetra.

Like I said, all of this applies to Angels raised with other smaller fish. If they're raised in an Angelfish-tank only and never seen any small fish, they may very well try to eat any smaller fish they see (whether they can fit the fish in their mouths or not).

I currently have a school of small Cherry Barbs in one tank with my Angelfish. The Angels are very peaceful with them. Never saw them trying to eat any of my small fish (Zebra Danios, Cherry Barbs, Harlequin Rasboras).

 

Cardindal tetra are like $12 each here....which is why we have neons in our tank.

Really, $12. Here they are no more then $5. And if I get them with a discount, I would be able to get them for about $3 each.
Tom

 

I believe Angelfish raised from babies with small fish like many tetras won't eat these tetras. My 2 Angelfish were raised with 12 Neon Tetras. They never even tried to eat my Neons. Also, Angels in the wild are much larger than Angels raised in captivity. These wild Angels could probably fit small Neon Tetras in their mouths, but I don't think Angels raised in captivity can swallow adult Neon Tetras (unless the tetras are still small and growing). Adult Cardinal Tetras are even bigger then Neon Tetras, and I don't think any commercially bred Angelfish could possibly swallow an adult Cardinal Tetra.

Like I said, all of this applies to Angels raised with other smaller fish. If they're raised in an Angelfish-tank only and never seen any small fish, they may very well try to eat any smaller fish they see (whether they can fit the fish in their mouths or not).

I currently have a school of small Cherry Barbs in one tank with my Angelfish. The Angels are very peaceful with them. Never saw them trying to eat any of my small fish (Zebra Danios, Cherry Barbs, Harlequin Rasboras).

So I am guessing that is a yes for me? My angelfish don't have very large mouths right now anyways.
Tom

 

Cardindal tetra are like $12 each here....which is why we have neons in our tank.

Really, $12. Here they are no more then $5. And if I get them with a discount, I would be able to get them for about $3 each.
Tom

I wish they were that cheap...wow.

 

So I am guessing that is a yes for me? My angelfish don't have very large mouths right now anyways.

Well, it is a "yes" for you IF your Angelfish had been raised with smaller fish like small tetras, etc. But if they were not, I can't guarantee that they won't try to eat any smaller fish they see. If they're commercially bred Angels, they probably won't fit any adult naturally small tetras (unless these tetras are still babies) in their mouths. Yet, this doesn't stop them from trying to chase and nip at the smaller fish.

 

When I get a bigger tank I'm going to fill it with angels, different rainbows and neons... neons are 50p ($1USD) here while cardinals are ?2 ($4USD).

 

So I am guessing that is a yes for me? My angelfish don't have very large mouths right now anyways.

Well, it is a "yes" for you IF your Angelfish had been raised with smaller fish like small tetras, etc. But if they were not, I can't guarantee that they won't try to eat any smaller fish they see. If they're commercially bred Angels, they probably won't fit any adult naturally small tetras (unless these tetras are still babies) in their mouths. Yet, this doesn't stop them from trying to chase and nip at the smaller fish.

Ok, my angels are with lemon tetras right now and have been with the tetras since the tetras were small. I'm just going to guess that they will be fine.
Tom

 

If you're not seeing any aggressive behavior of your Angels towards other smaller fish in the same tank, then I guess Cardinal Tetras should be fine with your Angels. Also, how old do you think your Angels are? How tall are they (with fins and without fins)?

 

Their main body(without fins) is about the size of a Canadian loonie(if you know how big that is)(about 3cm) each. With the fins they are about 3" high and about 2" long. I would have to say they are over 10 months since they seemed to paired off.
Tom

 

Well I suppose if they haven't been aggressive toward other small fish by now, they should be OK in the future.

 

Alright thanks.
Tom

 

Welcome