Solo Angelfish with Danios/Tetras?

[HolyMackerel]

Heya!

I’ve been working to design my first serious planted aquarium, working off the basis of making the “perfect” peppered corydoras tank, since they’re my favorite fish!

I’ve decided to go for a blue, green, white, and black color scheme, and I’m considering species such as blue danios, black neon tetras, green neon tetras, conga tetras, etc.

I’ve gotten the fish selection mostly figured out, though I am searching for a good “centerpiece” fish to add that extra level of intrigue to my aquarium. This led me to consider the blue Philippine angelfish, as it’s colors are absolutely perfect for what I’m going for, while also being reasonably priced.

My worry is that active fish, such as danios or tetras, will outcompete the angelfish for food, and I wanted to ask here to see if that’s a valid concern. Otherwise, the species seem compatible for a planted community tank. I want to have large schools of corydoras and danios/tetras with one angelfish as the centerpiece, since from what I’ve read, a lone angelfish isn’t a problem.

Would greatly appreciate your thoughts and wisdom; I’m trying to learn all I can!

 

[CMT]

What size is the tank? Angelfish require a much larger tank than those tetras/danios, so just curious. Also, each angelfish can have an individual personality. It's definitely not a given that it won't be a problem just because you have only one. Obviously it won't be a problem attacking other angels, but some angelfish will readily eat small tetras/danios like neons. Others won't. Introducing the fish together when the angelfish is young so the angelfish grows up around them should decrease the chances it tries to eat them once big enough, and it will get big enough.

As for being outcompeted for food, I'd say it's unlikely. Most angelfish are pretty aggressive eaters and also very personable. I can literally hand feed mine.

 

[HolyMackerel]

What size is the tank? Angelfish require a much larger tank than those tetras/danios, so just curious. Also, each angelfish can have an individual personality. It's definitely not a given that it won't be a problem just because you have only one. Obviously it won't be a problem attacking other angels, but some angelfish will readily eat small tetras/danios like neons. Others won't. Introducing the fish together when the angelfish is young so the angelfish grows up around them should decrease the chances it tries to eat them once big enough, and it will get big enough.

As for being outcompeted for food, I'd say it's unlikely. Most angelfish are pretty aggressive eaters and also very personable. I can literally hand feed mine.

I plan on doing a large tank, unsure of the exact size but something around the fifty gallon range. I want to have a big school of danios/tetras.

I appreciate the insight, hopefully I’ll be able to find a place selling young blue philippine angelfish, though I’ll probably consider other “centerpiece” fish to be safe. I don’t think this specific variety gets too big, but it’s something I’ll have to read into further.

 

[CMT]

I plan on doing a large tank, unsure of the exact size but something around the fifty gallon range. I want to have a big school of danios/tetras.

I appreciate the insight, hopefully I’ll be able to find a place selling young blue philippine angelfish, though I’ll probably consider other “centerpiece” fish to be safe. I don’t think this specific variety gets too big, but it’s something I’ll have to read into further.

50 gallons would be plenty.

I'm pretty sure that's just a color morph of a common scalare angelfish. It will get big (up to 6 inch body size).

That's not to say it won't work, but anytime you have fish that fit into the mouth of larger fish, it's a risk.

Good luck with your decision. I love angelfish.

 

[HolyMackerel]

50 gallons would be plenty.

I'm pretty sure that's just a color morph of a common scalare angelfish. It will get big (up to 6 inch body size).

That's not to say it won't work, but anytime you have fish that fit into the mouth of larger fish, it's a risk.

Good luck with your decision. I love angelfish.

I appreciate your help! If I don’t put one in this tank, it’ll definitely be a fish I want to keep in the future…I’m a sucker for those blues and whites haha!