Angelfish group size

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Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
Jun 29, 2025
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North Dakota, USA
I'm finding conflicting information on angelfish group size. Can two males or two females live together in a 55 gallon tank with large tetras or is it better to keep just one in this type of setup?

**If I posted this already on this site feel free to delete, I couldn't seem to find it.
 
2 males or 2 females together you should be fine. Even a male/female pair a 55 with tetras would be okay….just don’t expect fry to survive and they may chase tetras away. Since they’re hard sex, any 2 should work
 
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2 seems to work well for me also… i have 2 paired off in 3 different tanks and a trio in another. Ive only got eggs from 1 out of 4 pairs tho and its when i tried 5 together just to see what would happen. My tank sizes are 37, 40, 25 and 20. Alot of breeders use 20 highs for pairs. All the tanks contain an erray of smaller fish like tetras, corys, platy, loaches, barbs, rainbow etc… and the angels pay no attention to them. They only go after additional angels if added IME… even then they seem to be fine. My trio is 3 males and they squabble but no damage is done.

I am by no means an angel expert, ive only kept them for 3-4 yrs now but the opposing opinions are drastic i agree. Why do breeders use 20 gallons for pairs and then someone says 1 is too much for a 55 gal 🤷🏻‍♂️. I have 4 adults in a 20L right now 😂. Its divided with a pair on each side and there perfectly fine. Ive found the veil tails to be less agressive but im sure that might be case scenario.
This is my 37 planted community with my smallest veil pair. I got them at nickel size. Theres at least 25-30 fish with them lol
34935260-814B-43CE-B24F-FA67A2E5969E.jpeg
D032E1CB-E567-4770-84B3-7A7FEC0A24DC.jpeg
 
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2 males or 2 females together you should be fine. Even a male/female pair a 55 with tetras would be okay….just don’t expect fry to survive and they may chase tetras away. Since they’re hard sex, any 2 should work
Aren't they super aggressive when they have laid eggs and have fry though?
2 seems to work well for me also… i have 2 paired off in 3 different tanks and a trio in another. Ive only got eggs from 1 out of 4 pairs tho and its when i tried 5 together just to see what would happen. My tank sizes are 37, 40, 25 and 20. Alot of breeders use 20 highs for pairs. All the tanks contain an erray of smaller fish like tetras, corys, platy, loaches, barbs, rainbow etc… and the angels pay no attention to them. They only go after additional angels if added IME… even then they seem to be fine. My trio is 3 males and they squabble but no damage is done.

I am by no means an angel expert, ive only kept them for 3-4 yrs now but the opposing opinions are drastic i agree. Why do breeders use 20 gallons for pairs and then someone says 1 is too much for a 55 gal 🤷🏻‍♂️. I have 4 adults in a 20L right now 😂. Its divided with a pair on each side and there perfectly fine. Ive found the veil tails to be less agressive but im sure that might be case scenario.
This is my 37 planted community with my smallest veil pair. I got them at nickel size. Theres at least 25-30 fish with them lol
View attachment 1573878
View attachment 1573879
According to adadvisor my tank is overstocked with three angels so that's why I'm thinking of two instead. I just don't have the room for fry not a place to take them.
 
Aren't they super aggressive when they have laid eggs and have fry though?

According to adadvisor my tank is overstocked with three angels so that's why I'm thinking of two instead. I just don't have the room for fry not a place to take them.
I had 5 in a 40 breeder when eggs were laid. Sure, the pair pushed 3 to not in their area but they were fine. Currently have what i believe are 3 males in a 40 breeder right now. They switch off with each other being friends and not friends. The tank is very heavy with fake plants to break them up and provide escape from each other. They have been together for about 2 years now. They chase each other and square up but no torn fins or anything. Just sharing my experience as an example. Only you can decide if they get along fine or if there fighting too much and need separated. I have plenty tanks to swap fish around as needed if something goes wrong. Unless u end up with a pair… and a pair of good parents at that, i dont think ull have a problem not raising fry. I have 9 angels and want Fry to play with and i cant make it happen 😂😂… again, every tank and fish are different. Keep what u want and make decisions based on ur own best judgement.
 
I am by no means an angel expert, ive only kept them for 3-4 yrs now but the opposing opinions are drastic i agree. Why do breeders use 20 gallons for pairs and then someone says 1 is too much for a 55 gal 🤷🏻‍♂️. I have 4 adults in a 20L right now 😂. Its divided with a pair on each side and there perfectly fine. Ive found the veil tails to be less agressive but im sure that might be case scenario.
This is my 37 planted community with my smallest veil pair. I got them at nickel size. Theres at least 25-30 fish with them lol
View attachment 1573878
View attachment 1573879
Is that sword plant real or fake? Looks fantastic.

And I’m in full agreement, I don’t understand the logic of these aquarium calculators and how everyone seems to be a tank size expert nowadays. It’s tough to argue against bigger is better. Which if true, would practically make all the hobbyists in Asia and most of the world wrong.

A 55 gallon is plenty for 2 angels, based on experience
 
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Is that sword plant real or fake? Looks fantastic.

And I’m in full agreement, I don’t understand the logic of these aquarium calculators and how everyone seems to be a tank size expert nowadays. It’s tough to argue against bigger is better. Which if true, would practically make all the hobbyists in Asia and most of the world wrong.

A 55 gallon is plenty for 2 angels, based on experience
Thanks 💀🤙… all the plants are real. Started that $5 sword in a 5gal 5-6yrs ago now. all low tec stuff this is my first “real” planted tank in 25+ yrs 😂. Java ferns, anubias, crypt and the 1 sword. Otto cats are my trick for keeping the plants/leaves in check. Only thing that will eat the algea on them IME. Theres a hillstream loach in there also, it likes to eat holes in the plants tho 🤷🏻‍♂️.
 
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