Looking For Angelfish Tank Mate, Not Live Bearer.

So this will be long. My main question here is that I have an angelfish in a 37 gallon tank and I want tankmate(s) for him. Swordtails did not work for me or him. I didn't like the live bearer aspect. He just didn't like them. Ok, here is the backstory.

I have an angelfish, not sure if male or female, but I think male. His name is castiel and he has been alone for the almost 3 years I've had him. Except for the last couple months, I had swordtails in with him. It didn't go horribly, but it didn't go well. They were very curious about him, and would get in his bubble, which he didn't like. He would constantly be darting at them. Which many times resulted in him running into the glass. But there were never any fights or injuries so I didn't think much of it.

Well a few days ago I started to notice his lips looking dark. It isn't any sort of disease that I could find on the internet. But I have seen it before. He got it in his old tank, when I had a snail in with him that he would constantly ram and knock off the glass. I moved gary the snail to a different tank and cas's lips eventually went back to normal. So I conclude this is some sort of bruising or injury from running into the glass so frequently.

So long story, but the result is that I've rehomed my swordtails and am now trying to find another tankmate for my angelfish. But I'm beginning to wonder if he even can be with other fish. I also recently found out from my friend that gave him to me, that the people she got him from had him in with a koi fish when he was a baby! And obviously, it wasn't going well for them, which is why they got rid of the angelfish. So now I think, well no wonder he has always been startled so easy and doesn't like anything that moves. The first bit of his life was probably spent constantly on edge. So perhaps I should just let him live alone? That or I need a slow moving fish, that won't dart past castiel and startle him. What do you guys think?

 

Cherry barbs are really cool. I have 8 with my angel in a 37.

You could also do BN plecos and corydoras.

 

Cherry barbs are really cool. I have 8 with my angel in a 37.

You could also do BN plecos and corydoras.

I thought barbs were too nippy for angels? And yes, many times people have suggested plecos and corys. Which admittedly would be a good choice. But I don't like the look of them. Some corys are ok, plecos creep me out. And of course any of the corys I like are not available in my area.

 

I thought barbs were too nippy for angels? And yes, many times people have suggested plecos and corys. Which admittedly would be a good choice. But I don't like the look of them. Some corys are ok, plecos creep me out. And of course any of the corys I like are not available in my area.

Some barbs are nippy, but cherry barbs are good IME.

They don’t have angular mouths, their mouths are like tiny versions of goldfish mouths so The you can’t do too much damage. I would opt for an all male tank(as they have the best colors), but if you want males and females, the best ration is 2:1 females to males. So if you had a school of 12 and wanted both genders, go for 8 females and 4 males.

 

Some barbs are nippy, but cherry barbs are good IME.

They don’t have angular mouths, their mouths are like tiny versions of goldfish mouths so The you can’t do too much damage. I would opt for an all male tank(as they have the best colors), but if you want males and females, the best ration is 2:1 females to males. So if you had a school of 12 and wanted both genders, go for 8 females and 4 males.

I will have to look into them. Thank you for the suggestion!

 

Hmm maybe he just wants to be alone. And it sounds like he's running into the glass because he has no where else to go. Koi aren't an option with how small your tank is. I would maybe consider getting him a 55 gallon. Is his fins wide and long or?

 

Hmm maybe he just wants to be alone. And it sounds like he's running into the glass because he has no where else to go. Koi aren't an option with how small your tank is. I would maybe consider getting him a 55 gallon. Is his fins wide and long or?

I wasn't considering getting a koi to go with him. That is what he was with as a baby before I got him. Seems like an aweful idea to me, which is probably why they got rid of him. And I wouldn't want a koi period unless I had a pond. I am maxed out on tank space. I have the 37, 2 20's, a 10, and 2 gecko tanks...all in a 1 bedroom apartment. Lol!

And he only runs into the glass when he is chasing or attacking something else. He doesn't do it when he is alone. Because for the first year or so I had him, I kept him alone. Then I got the gold mystery snail, and that is when he started ramming it off the wall. And this darkness to his lips first appeared. I took the snail out and eventually it went away. He also wasn't running into the wall anymore because there was nothing to pester. And that was back when he was in the 20 hex.

I really wish I just had an angelfish mate for him. Except I'm not sure if he is actually a he, so I don't know what sex to get. Plus there is no guarantee they'd get along even if I did get the right sex. And the only way I know to find out is get a few angels to put in and wait to see if any pair off. But then I'd have other angels I'd need to rehome, because as I said, I'm maxed out on tank space. Also a problem, castiel is an adult and the ones at the store are juvies. So I'd have to keep them until the grew up a bit before even trying to put them in with cas.

 

Have you considered a couple of Bolivian Rams or some Kribs?

 

Yes I very much would like a ram. But nowhere close to me sells them. Also, I need to get my tank a bit more established before that.

 

You would likely need to remove him, rearrange, and replace him in the tank after the new fish have been put in it. Since he has been alone for three years he likely is not going to be very happy with other fish to start off, meaning he is used to the space and might not be willing to share.

 

You would likely need to remove him, rearrange, and replace him in the tank after the new fish have been put in it. Since he has been alone for three years he likely is not going to be very happy with other fish to start off, meaning he is used to the space and might not be willing to share.

Ya, this is pretty much what I'm thinking. I just feel bad for him not having a friend. Lol!

 

Rams would do great, just don't get a pair or you will have angel nipped fins. Also some rams like cooler and others like warmer.

 

Rams would do great, just don't get a pair or you will have angel nipped fins. Also some rams like cooler and others like warmer.

Good to know! I really like the look of german blues. As far as I know they are a warmer temp one. And I'm not absolutely set on a blue. It is just my favorite of the ones I've seen, though that isn't many admittedly.

 

Blue Bolivian Rams? The males have an amazing Pattern. There are ballon rams as well (don't recommend) along with black rams, gold rams, etc.

 

Blue Bolivian Rams? The males have an amazing Pattern. There are ballon rams as well (don't recommend) along with black rams, gold rams, etc.

Ram cichlid - Wikipedia

This one. I love the coloring and patterns. But I worry it might be a bit too flashy for my angel. Lol!

 

doubt it though. look at the link.

 

doubt it though. look at the link.

For some reason it won't bring up the link.

 

We keep Prissy (female angel) in a 44 with a dwarf gourami.

 

Thunder o b:
That is a gorgeous tank and Koi Angels are my favorite freshwater fish.
BIG THUMBS UP !!!

 

We keep Prissy (female angel) in a 44 with a dwarf gourami.
View attachment 437635

Definitely a beautiful tank! Did they grow up together or was one added later?

 

So this will be long. My main question here is that I have an angelfish in a 37 gallon tank and I want tankmate(s) for him. Swordtails did not work for me or him. I didn't like the live bearer aspect. He just didn't like them. Ok, here is the backstory.

I have an angelfish, not sure if male or female, but I think male. His name is castiel and he has been alone for the almost 3 years I've had him. Except for the last couple months, I had swordtails in with him. It didn't go horribly, but it didn't go well. They were very curious about him, and would get in his bubble, which he didn't like. He would constantly be darting at them. Which many times resulted in him running into the glass. But there were never any fights or injuries so I didn't think much of it.

Well a few days ago I started to notice his lips looking dark. It isn't any sort of disease that I could find on the internet. But I have seen it before. He got it in his old tank, when I had a snail in with him that he would constantly ram and knock off the glass. I moved gary the snail to a different tank and cas's lips eventually went back to normal. So I conclude this is some sort of bruising or injury from running into the glass so frequently.

So long story, but the result is that I've rehomed my swordtails and am now trying to find another tankmate for my angelfish. But I'm beginning to wonder if he even can be with other fish. I also recently found out from my friend that gave him to me, that the people she got him from had him in with a koi fish when he was a baby! And obviously, it wasn't going well for them, which is why they got rid of the angelfish. So now I think, well no wonder he has always been startled so easy and doesn't like anything that moves. The first bit of his life was probably spent constantly on edge. So perhaps I should just let him live alone? That or I need a slow moving fish, that won't dart past castiel and startle him. What do you guys think?

I'd say rummynose or cardinal tetras. I have rummynoses with my angel and they do fine

 

I thought barbs were too nippy for angels? And yes, many times people have suggested plecos and corys. Which admittedly would be a good choice. But I don't like the look of them. Some corys are ok, plecos creep me out. And of course any of the corys I like are not available in my area.

I thought plecos were creepy looking for the longest time until my recent discovery of:

the gold nugget pleco


and the blue phantom pleco.



Their colors are absolutely beautiful.

 

I thought plecos were creepy looking for the longest time until my recent discovery of:

the gold nugget pleco View attachment 438067

and the blue phantom pleco.
View attachment 438068

Their colors are absolutely beautiful.

Those colors might make up for their look! Lol! But they would definitely be something I'd have to special order off the internet. I'm hoping to find something that works that I can get locally. Which isn't much because the only place to get fish within 90 miles of my city is walmart.

 

If he was going after the swordtails & snail I would worry about any other mid level fish with him. What about a bottom dweller - if you don’t like corydoras maybe KhulI loaches?

 

If he was going after the swordtails & snail I would worry about any other mid level fish with him. What about a bottom dweller - if you don’t like corydoras maybe KhulI loaches?

Not a fan of the look of loaches either. Some cories are ok, just not the ones we get at walmart where I live. Also I think my substrate and tank set up wouldn't be good for a lot of bottom dwellers. I have gravel and an undergravel filter. I do also have a regular filter too. And I keep fake plants, not live. I was considering one of those minnows that they call sharks. But I haven't done enough research on it yet.

 

Minnows that are called sharks? Rainbow shark?

 

Minnows that are called sharks? Rainbow shark?

Well I just googled rainbow shark. And it doesn't look like what I was thinking of. Maybe I saw a different type? But I do like their red fins! However, just briefly reading about them, it seems they can be pretty aggressive and maybe not a great choice for my angelfish. Though it does say they are really only territorial with the bottom. And my castiel is really only territorial with the middle and top. He does go to the bottom sometimes, but doesn't really hang out there. So idk, it might be fine. But it does seem a risk.

 

Thunder o b:
That is a gorgeous tank and Koi Angels are my favorite freshwater fish.
BIG THUMBS UP !!!

Thank you HORNET1

 

O your talking about a bale shark?

 

O your talking about a bale shark?

I think I was thinking about a bala shark. But after looking into it, they get way to big for my 37 gallon, regardless of whether my angel would get along. I'd be better off with the rainbow shark than the bala. Though I don't really think the rainbow is the best idea. But I do love their coloring!

 

Definitely a beautiful tank! Did they grow up together or was one added later?

Thank you

Not sure how I missed your post.

The dwarf was added about a month after the 44 was setup. Prissy was there from the start.

 

Get a few cories. Not the albino ones. Just the plain Jane cories. Let Castiel get used to them over a month or so. They will help keep your tank clean and make it healthier and they will acclimate him to other fish in the tank, while not getting all up in his bubble. And if he wants to ram them, he will have to ram the substrate, which I bet he won't do. Once he is used to them, then you can add a couple of whatever other folks suggest. But getting him a non-bottom dweller to start with is your problem. It doesn't matter what you think about cories, it matters what castiel can tolerate. Sorry, but that's the truth.

 

I think I was thinking about a bala shark. But after looking into it, they get way to big for my 37 gallon, regardless of whether my angel would get along. I'd be better off with the rainbow shark than the bala. Though I don't really think the rainbow is the best idea. But I do love their coloring!

No shark is compatible with your size tank. As rainbow' s age they get more aggressive and start attacking. Also albino's are fine.

 

Get a few cories. Not the albino ones. Just the plain Jane cories. Let Castiel get used to them over a month or so. They will help keep your tank clean and make it healthier and they will acclimate him to other fish in the tank, while not getting all up in his bubble. And if he wants to ram them, he will have to ram the substrate, which I bet he won't do. Once he is used to them, then you can add a couple of whatever other folks suggest. But getting him a non-bottom dweller to start with is your problem. It doesn't matter what you think about cories, it matters what castiel can tolerate. Sorry, but that's the truth.

I think the only corys they ever have are albinos. Idk, they are very white, almost transluscent. But I'll keep an eye out for any others. And I'd def rather have a cory than a pleco. Will corys be ok with gravel subatrate?

 

I think the only corys they ever have are albinos. Idk, they are very white, almost transluscent. But I'll keep an eye out for any others. And I'd def rather have a cory than a pleco. Will corys be ok with gravel subatrate?

If the gravel is rounded with no sharp edges and not too large. But they do like sand better.

 

I think the only corys they ever have are albinos. Idk, they are very white, almost transluscent. But I'll keep an eye out for any others. And I'd def rather have a cory than a pleco. Will corys be ok with gravel subatrate?

Albinos are better suited than other cories for living with angels with their temp range, other ones walmart sells are peppered (paleatus corydoras) which are a cooler water preferring cory. Smooth gravel works, sand is better because they can dig through it easier, if the gravel is sharper it can harm their barbells. Generic black gravel has worked for my shoal of aeneus cories quite well (I have 5-6 bronze aeneus and 10-12 albino aeneus), most of my other cories are on sand, some are on gravel it doesn't seem to both any of them.

 

a school of harlequin rasboras should do well. really amazing fish. talking from experience in my tank with angels.

i'm also not a fan of any type of plecos large or small, neither loaches. cories are amazing though a school of 5-7 should do fine in your tank, order online if there's nothing close to you

 

My gravel doesn't seem terribly sharp. I will keep an eye on the corys at walmart. Do they need to be in schools? I did consider radsboras. But as someone above said, I might want to do a bottom dweller 1st.

 

My gravel doesn't seem terribly sharp. I will keep an eye on the corys at walmart. Do they need to be in schools? I did consider radsboras. But as someone above said, I might want to do a bottom dweller 1st.

Cories need to have groups to feel comfortable, they act more naturally with a bigger group and are out and about much more often. They like some cover and will occasionally pile up when napping.

 

Just wanted to update people who gave me advice here. I got 3 albino corys this weekend. I wanted more, but walmart only had 3 of the albino variety. Honestly the others they had, which looked to be bronze and peppers, seemed in better condition. But I thought albinos would probably do best with my temps, so I got them. Plus I felt so bad for them, they are just babies, and stuck out like a sore thumb with the other fish they were in a tank with at walmart. We def have some nipped fins and barbels. I've taken treatment precautions and am trying to give them the best conditions to heal. If I need more help with this I will make a new thread in the future.

So far my angelfish seems to be handling them well. He is curious about them, but hasn't attacked them, just gets in really close for a look. He is very perplexed by the times when they shoot up to the surface! It is actually quite entertaining. And I find it incredibly interesting that they do this! Hopefully I can get more soon!