Do angelfish need air pumps?

Do I need an air pump for my angelfish? I have a tetra whisper filter but I'm not sure if it's enough.

 

I use it too because it scares me not to have it. But tI depends on a lot of factors which are hard to know without measuring oxygen levels

 

How much surface agitation are you getting? What's the temp of the tank? What size tank?

 

Air pumps are a plus in any tank since if the filter fails due to what ever reason the air pump will provide adequate oxygen in a tank. A tank with an air stone and no filter can last a week or 2 (of course the tank would have to be cycled first).

 

You don't always need one, and in some planted tanks, they can actually be more harmful than beneficial to the plants.

 

Barely any surface agitation. Tank is currently at room temp but I ordered a thermometer and heater, it will be kept at 78°, 10G. How do the air pumps harm plants?

 

Plants absorb CO2 while the animals absorb oxygen. For plants oxygen can be like co2 for us. This is why when you see all those high tech tanks there aren't a lot of fish since one those tanks are pumped with co2. Air pumps are bascially co2 tanks except for the fish. I hope this kind of explained!

 

If you have barely any surface agitation, then yes, I would add an air pump.

However, a 10 gal is nowhere near appropriate for an angelfish. 29 gal tank minimum for 1, 40 gal breeder minimum for 2.

 

Oh did not see that the tank was a 10 gallon. I would either rehome the angel or get a bigger tank 29+ gallons. A 10 gallon is too small especially since the height factor is a big thing.

 

I am planning to get a bigger tank in the future maybe a 55 G. However, the main reason I went ahead and got the angels is because the owner of the fish shop I went to told me that I could trade them for something else once they got too big, so I have a back up plan. They are really small at the moment

 

I would still rehome the angelfish. Always stock for the tank you have, not the one you plan on getting in the future. You should get the angelfish once you set up the 55 gal, not before.

They cannot be happy in a 10 gal, and they are already too big for it.

 

yeah, I am accustomed to making this issue; but you have the problem that not only is this tank too small, angelfish grow very rapidly and it is already near the max size for the tank. Still, it is good to follow that thoroughly. my guess is the owner thought you would kill it first or they want to make money on a bigger one.

 

The angelfish will not develop properly in a tank that small. That is the problem. Keeping him in there for any length of time will have negative effects on his growth and will shorten it's lifespan.

People get fish in small tanks and say they will worry about it when the fish outgrows the tank. Problem is, they typically grow MUCH slower in the smaller tank and their life is shortened more and more the longer they are in that small tank. And people often don't feel the need to upgrade at all because the fish doesn't reach their size potential in small tanks.

10 gallons is far too small for an angel....bordering on cruel in my opinion. 20 gallons for a single angel is really pushing it, but would be a huge improvement. And ideally, the minimum would be 29 gallons for an adult angelfish.

 

I had 2 in my 55 gallon and I got an additional one because of aggression and now it has subsided. Well not subsided but it is spread now between them. But to give you an example of the growth. he was 1 inch 1 month ago and now he is like 4 inches. He will likely outgrow so quickly if he is healthy. I have had some grow slower, but, they seem to be generally fast growers for me.

 

Please don't keep 3 angelfish together either. That's asking for bullying.

 

I had 2 in my 55 gallon and I got an additional one because of aggression and now it has subsided. Well not subsided but it is spread now between them. But to give you an example of the growth. he was 1 inch 1 month ago and now he is like 4 inches. He will likely outgrow so quickly if he is healthy. I have had some grow slower, but, they seem to be generally fast growers for me.

They can be fast growers in tanks that are the appropriate size...like your 55 gallon. But they will not be fast growers in a 10 gallon and they will not grow up healthy no matter how clean the water is. That is the problem. People think they can be kept in these small tanks for longer periods because they grow so slowly in small tanks!! But there is a reason they grow slowly in small tanks! and it isn't good!

As a point of reference....I have 7 pea sized baby angels in a 10 gallon....and they are only 4 weeks old. But If I don't get them out of there soon, their growth will be affected negatively. I plan to upgrade them this weekend. I would never leave even a single pea sized angel in a 10 gallon for too long! Not if I want them to grow big beautiful healthy fins and be strong healthy angels!

 

yeah, I use my 10 gallon for shrimp! after once trying to get zebras to live in a 5 gallon, I have learned my lesson. It was too difficult and made the hobby not fun. However, my shrimp tank 10 gallon is very little maintenance.

 

It really sucks though when people know that a small tank will stunt it's growth yet they still do it since they think they will be able to keep the fish once it's stunted. Not saying OP is doing that but some people do

 

It really sucks though when people know that a small tank will stunt it's growth yet they still do it since they think they will be able to keep the fish once it's stunted. Not saying OP is doing that but some people do

The OP may not be doing that intentionally....but with an attitude of "I will upgrade when they outgrow the tank" means they will be in there MUCH MUCH longer than they should! That attitude is way to common unfortunately.

Not only that, but I believe there is at least more than one angel in the Op's 10 gallon....making it even more of a problem....

Back to the original question though...I agree that if there isn't much surface agitation, then an air pump and air stone would be very beneficial. I keep bubbles going in all my tanks though, regardless.

But please do not keep angelfish in a 10 gallon!

 

I think that what we need to do is just provide what they need to do, if they want to keep him. It may explain it better.

...if you really are determined to make an attempt to keep him alive, the nitrate is going to be an issue and will require very frequent water changes and gravel cleanings. Think of needing to look at nitrate everyday and do frequent water changes. Adding trace elements from a bottle according to the label (every few days). Keeping an eye on TDS and all water parameters daily.

Then upgrading the tank in a month.

I think it will probably make the hobby not fun and push you away from it and then the fish will suffer more. So, if you have this feeling of already wanting to push away the thought of taking care of it, then I would get a shrimp for that tank size! The fish store may not currently have any, but if they do, I would exchange it.

In contrast, the shrimp can take some abuse because they don't have much effect on the water chemistry and they eat virtually anything.

-yeah and because he is growing and in a small tank he will need a lot of water agitation and pump.

 

...if you really are determined to make an attempt to keep him alive, .

keep THEM alive. There is at least more than one angel in there according to post #10 which makes this situation even more precarious....

 

oh wow lol, yeah it will be an hourly chore and I don't think I would do that. Lol, you are making yourself a wet nurse. The care will be very intimate

 

Dang I didn't know they grew so fast! And you're right, I have two. Do you know how long they will be ok in my tank before I can transfer them to a bigger one?

Also how many can I put in a 55 gallon tank?

 

Dang I didn't know they grew so fast! And you're right, I have two. Do you know how long they will be ok in my tank before I can transfer them to a bigger one?

Also how many can I put in a 55 gallon tank?

If you're not getting the 55 gal within a week, I would rehome them and get two new angels when you get the 55 gal.

And that depends on what kind of fish you want. We can help suggest stocking options if you want.

 

Dang I didn't know they grew so fast! And you're right, I have two. Do you know how long they will be ok in my tank before I can transfer them to a bigger one?

If they are dime sized or larger, then they really shouldn't be in there at all.

And it also depends on your definition of "ok"

 

A week the most till you get a new tank!

 

I'm not sure what all I would put in the 55. What are some good options for larger or low output fish? I don't really care for anything smaller than a betta

 

Cory catfish + siamese algae eaters + rams

OR angelfish (not temp compatible with all of the above)