Would Angelfish be Okay in a 29 Gallon?

Okay, I've heard a LOT of different opinions this topic so I'm just going to ask. Would a pair of angelfish (as the only fish in the tank) or 1 angelfish with a few other fish be okay in a 29g? I've done lots of research and I've seen people do this and their fish almost always seemed to be thriving. But then I've also seen people say 75g minimum. So which way do I go? Or does it depend on the fish?

 

It depends on what YOU want. Of course one or even two can thrive in a 29. I've done it, and so have many others. The key is keep the bio load light and keep up with your maintenance. Most who keep angels in a larger tank often keep a group of them and/or then pile in a bunch more fish. Space and bio load wise not much different, possibly even worse because then the fish have to fight for their territory.

 

Me personally I wouldn't. I don't think angelfish should be kept in anything smaller than a 55 because of how long their fins can get and you don't want them to get all scratched and beat up because of a smaller tank. But if its just a single juvenile or a pair of juvenile I a 29 would be sufficient until they outgrow it, which they eventually will

 

It depends on what YOU want. Of course one or even two can thrive in a 29. I've done it, and so have many others. The key is keep the bio load light and keep up with your maintenance. Most who keep angels in a larger tank often keep a group of them and/or then pile in a bunch more fish. Space and bio load wise not much different, possibly even worse because then the fish have to fight for their territory.

I was thinking this for stocking:
-1 angelfish
-4-5 male guppies
-7 cardinal tetras (might change)
-6 bronze corys

Would it be overcrowded?
I'd be willing to do whatever water maintenance necessary.

Me personally I wouldn't. I don't think angelfish should be kept in anything smaller than a 55 because of how long their fins can get and you don't want them to get all scratched and beat up because of a smaller tank. But if its just a single juvenile or a pair of juvenile I a 29 would be sufficient until they outgrow it, which they eventually will

I might be able to convince my parents to let me get a bigger tank in the future, but I probably wouldn't be able to go bigger than 40 gallons.

 

Is it a 29g long or tall? Angelfish usually do better in taller tanks, although if it's your standard 29g it should be fine.

That stocking plan could work if you have a really good filter, but beware that there have been cases of angelfish eating guppies (Especially male guppies because they are smaller) in the aquarium. It really depends on the temperament of your angelfish tho. In my opinion you should get a juvenile angelfish. That way it can grow up alongside the other fish and see them as friends not food, and by the time it reaches maturity you might have gotten a larger tank.

The single pair of angelfish idea works too as long as there are no other fish in the tank (with the exception of 1 or 2 decent sized armored catfish).

Personally, I would choose either the guppies or cardinals, not both. It can work, but that doesnt mean you should do it. Ironically, the less fish the better in terms of the health of your fish and tank.

 

I was thinking this for stocking:
-1 angelfish
-4-5 male guppies
-7 cardinal tetras (might change)
-6 bronze corys

Would it be overcrowded?

That's way too much. More fish means less space for each fish. This increases stress and risk of illness. 1 angel with 5-6 of one of the smaller species of corys would be a healthier, more successful and easier to care for plan. It would even look better and more natural than a tank stuffed full of fish.

 

Is it a 29g long or tall? Angelfish usually do better in taller tanks, although if it's your standard 29g it should be fine.

That stocking plan could work if you have a really good filter, but beware that there have been cases of angelfish eating guppies (Especially male guppies because they are smaller) in the aquarium. It really depends on the temperament of your angelfish tho. In my opinion you should get a juvenile angelfish. That way it can grow up alongside the other fish and see them as friends not food, and by the time it reaches maturity you might have gotten a larger tank.

The single pair of angelfish idea works too as long as there are no other fish in the tank (with the exception of 1 or 2 decent sized armored catfish).

Personally, I would choose either the guppies or cardinals, not both. It can work, but that doesnt mean you should do it. Ironically, the less fish the better in terms of the health of your fish and tank.

It's a standard 29. So would this stocking work instead?
-1 angelfish
-6 black neon tetras (decided my GH and pH were too high for cardinals)
-5 bronze corys

 

It's a standard 29. So would this stocking work instead?
-1 angelfish
-6 black neon tetras (decided my GH and pH were too high for cardinals)
-5 bronze corys

Absolutely. However, there's still the small risk of the neons getting eaten by the angelfish.

 

Absolutely. However, there's still the small risk of the neons getting eaten by the angelfish.

Ok, great! Do you think the neons would get eaten if I got a juvenile angelfish and added it last?

 

The chances are greatly reduced but all it takes if for the angel to be hungry and decide to try one of the neons and then it will sea them as snacks from then on. I'd say go with it and just watch closely as the angel gets bigger. Just try not to ever feed the angel live food or it will develop predatory habits.

 

I have neons with my 6 large angelfish and I do sometimes feed them live daphnia, no neons have been eaten yet. The neons were full grown when I added the very small angelfish. What concerns me more is the rather small size of the tank and the large size and height the angelfish eventually get to be, and I say eventually but it doesn't actually take that long!.

 

I have neons with my 6 large angelfish and I do sometimes feed them live daphnia, no neons have been eaten yet. The neons were full grown when I added the very small angelfish. What concerns me more is the rather small size of the tank and the large size and height the angelfish eventually get to be, and I say eventually but it doesn't actually take that long!.

Well I think I'd be able to get a somewhat larger tank for them in about a year so would that be a problem?

 

Well I think I'd be able to get a somewhat larger tank for them in about a year so would that be a problem?

That should be OK then.