Wild Angelfish
January 29th, 2010I just wanted to share a couple photos of the new inhabitants in my 75G aquarium. After finding a good home for my Blue Spotted Sunfish, I decided that I would like to keep Angelfish again. This time, rather than just getting the various commercially bred color variations, I wanted to get ones with the wild coloration. I feel the natural coloration with the vertical black bars are the most elegant looking Angelfish of all. I was fortunate to have another GWAPA member turn me onto a breeder.
The breeder imports and breeds wild Peruvian angelfish to keep the gene pool healthy for their other various color variations. They also sell of some of the offspring from their live imports. Finding this out, I bought 7 first generation (F1) domestically bred wild angelfish. The breeder sent 8 fish, and they all looked fantastic, even in the bag.
At first in the tank, the fish hid every time I came into the room, but after a week of feeding them, they have really warmed up to me, and are starting to follow me up and down the tank when I’m working in my fish room. Right now, the Angelfish are the only mid-level swimming fish that I have in this aquarium. I still have my Nannacara, red-lizard catfish, and L279 bristlenosed plecos, so the bottom level is covered. I’m having a hard time settling on a small schooling fish to act as attractive dithers for the Angelfish. Suggestions welcome!
January 29th, 2010 at 5:16 pm
My favorite Amazon biotope dither fish is a school of bleeding heart tetras. Hardy, interesting, great looking, and a splash of bright red color, with a silver body. Great combination with angels.
W
January 29th, 2010 at 6:02 pm
Congrats to your new fishes! Looking good!
January 29th, 2010 at 11:35 pm
Warren, the bleeding hearts look really nice… Do they keep a tight school? I really want something that schools together and moves, like rummynosed tetras, but something other than them, as I’ve kept them before…
January 30th, 2010 at 3:34 am
Always wanted to do this – well done. Will follow with interest. Wouldn’t Tetras go well together.
January 30th, 2010 at 9:22 am
I chose a school of Rasbora espei for the same purpose. They are small and always stay in a group.
January 30th, 2010 at 11:45 am
Thanks guys! Eugen, are the Rasbora espei the same thing as what’s commonly sold as the Harlequin Rasbora in most fish stores?
April 16th, 2010 at 10:42 am
Hi, i’ve been a marine aquarium enthusiast for about 10 years and i’m looking to set up a freshwater angelfish tank. Are they generally an aggressive fish with each other? I’m planning on keeping multiple types in a 100g. Thanks.
April 16th, 2010 at 10:45 am
I’m interested in getting a majestic angelfish for my 150g reef tank but i’m worried it might start nipping on the corals. My tank currently has softies like green star polyps and mushrooms. Any advice? Thanks
April 16th, 2010 at 4:53 pm
Hi Indy, unfortunately I don’t have any experience with marine angels and corals. Maybe someone else can chime in?
As for the freshwater angelfish, it depends on the personality of the fish in terms of aggressiveness. I suggest buying a group of young fish and raising them up together for the best success.