Out of boredom, I decided to set up an old 5.5 gal tank my wife had sitting in our garage. Cleaned it, filled it with water and added fish from wal-mart the same day. Only then did I begin to do research. Not only did I not cycle my tank, I seriously over populated it with fish that did not get along well. After 3 weeks of daily water changes and the loss of 1 of the fish the tank was cycled. And I became hooked. I bought a 10 gal shortly after. Then another. And I just bought a 40 gal breeder tank I currently have cycling. My wife is thrilled... lol My question reguards anglefish. I am fascinated by them. Yet I have heard conflicting stories on their temperament. I would like to have several different colorful fish as well as shrimp and or snails for a clean up crew. What are some possible combinations I could do? I'd also like a fairly active tank without over crowding it. Thanks in advance for any advice.
anglefish community tank
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A 40b is a little short for angelfish in my opinion but you could probably get away with it. Ultimately you could only fit one angel at adult size in that tank. For tank mates there's quite a large number of possibilities but I'm partial to rummynose tetra and maybe some Harlequin rasbora's. Both are good schoolers and would add nice movement. Alternately, Lemon tetras would be nice. Cories would be a good clean up crew for the bottom and are always active. Shrimp would most likely get eaten but if you heavily planted the tank some may survive.
I went to a different pet store today and saw several full grown anglefish. You are right, they are much to tall for a 40 gal breeder. I didn't realize how much they fill out when full grown. This means I have to buy a 55 tall tank. Lol
Watch your big box stores closely. Make sure every tank in the system looks healthy. Sometimes you can get good fish at a good deal, and if you don't have a good LFS then give it a shot. However I would always quarantine especially with wal-mart. I would definitely get the 55 if you want angels. Many people keep groups in 40B to have them select mates then move the each pair to a 20H. As for tank mates I like the suggestions above. Basically any tetra that is quick enough to get away and to big to get eaten. I would avoid fin nippers but even most of those should be ok if you get a big enough shoal so they can keep it among themselves. Hatchets are cool and will fill the top of the tank. Danios are another option. Don't count out some of the barbs as well. I think cherry barbs are great. If you want action you cant beat rosy barbs. If you don't mind a livebearer I have really enjoyed my limias. They are super active and subtly pretty. If you want fish on the bottom corys and loaches are a good fit. I really like the burmese border loach and sterbai cory.
Shrimp are out. Maybe you get away with ghost or whiskers, but cherries will be expensive feeders. Snails give you lots of options. I like the rabbits and the mysteries. Nerites eat a lot of algae, and don't breed in freshwater. All are pretty active for snails. Two good fish for algae are siamese algae eaters and bushynose plecos.
As for angel temperament you are hearing mixed things because they are a mixed bag. It really depends on the individual and I would go with small fish and let them grow up together.
Shrimp are out. Maybe you get away with ghost or whiskers, but cherries will be expensive feeders. Snails give you lots of options. I like the rabbits and the mysteries. Nerites eat a lot of algae, and don't breed in freshwater. All are pretty active for snails. Two good fish for algae are siamese algae eaters and bushynose plecos.
As for angel temperament you are hearing mixed things because they are a mixed bag. It really depends on the individual and I would go with small fish and let them grow up together.
Welcome aboard 
I personally wouldn't buy fish from Wal-Mart due to the inappropriate care that their aquariums get but if you don't have much experience in fish keeping then you wouldn't no better. So with that being said happy you decided to join a great forum here you will gain lots of information along with experience.
I personally wouldn't buy fish from Wal-Mart due to the inappropriate care that their aquariums get but if you don't have much experience in fish keeping then you wouldn't no better. So with that being said happy you decided to join a great forum here you will gain lots of information along with experience.
i would agree with walmart but ive gotten some nice healthy fish from my petsmart. it really depends on the particular location i think. the fish guy at my local petsmart takes a lot of pride in his tanks though. i just think their selection is crap.
I am currently keeping angels in a 45 gallon tall planted community. I agree that a 40b would be too short, these guys need height more than width. I'd recommend the 65 tall tank they sell, I'm thinking my 45 may be too small when they are full grown.
The angels will eat any fish that can fit in their mouths, luckily their mouths are pretty small. So neon tetras or galaxy rasboras/cpd's will be eaten, but anything with a little size or height to the body of the fish should be fine. Tall bodied tetras like black skirts work well. As far as shrimp go, the cherries or small colored shrimps will be eaten, but japonica/amano shrimps will be fine as long as they are not babies. Japonica shrimp are tough little guys, mine push the smaller fish around at feeding time. They also get too large for angels to eat.
Good lock, angels are cool fish. Here is a pic of mine.
The angels will eat any fish that can fit in their mouths, luckily their mouths are pretty small. So neon tetras or galaxy rasboras/cpd's will be eaten, but anything with a little size or height to the body of the fish should be fine. Tall bodied tetras like black skirts work well. As far as shrimp go, the cherries or small colored shrimps will be eaten, but japonica/amano shrimps will be fine as long as they are not babies. Japonica shrimp are tough little guys, mine push the smaller fish around at feeding time. They also get too large for angels to eat.
Good lock, angels are cool fish. Here is a pic of mine.
Thanks for all the info guys. I bought 2 nerite snails, a Cory cat and a dojo loach. I have them in my 10gal while my 40 cycles. I'm definitely not going with angles in the 40b. I checked out all the tetras at the pet store and didn't see any that really stood out to me. However the speckled platy did. But I don't know much about them. Im going to visit a few more stores before I make my decision.
And don't worry. I won't be buying fish from Walmart anymore. I'm just limited on options. I have been to every pet store in my area (there are 2 within 30 min) and they have either horrible looking tanks or a very small selection. Going to take a long drive this weekend and check out stores closer to the city.
And don't worry. I won't be buying fish from Walmart anymore. I'm just limited on options. I have been to every pet store in my area (there are 2 within 30 min) and they have either horrible looking tanks or a very small selection. Going to take a long drive this weekend and check out stores closer to the city.
Your situation is why I never tell people to avoid the big box stores entirely. I have seen many LFS that are much worse. Depending on your situation it is either a big box, online or out of the hobby. If you like platys that is good they are easy to keep and hardy. If you get angels in the future they will be a good outlet for the fry. You have a ton of options in the 40B. If you liked the movement of the angels a good comparable fish is the festivum. If you like other cichilds you could do small acaras, kribs, apistos, rams, or rainbow cichlids. Definitely go with whatever strikes you as exciting. I still feel the 40B is one of the best standard tank sizes. It is just a little limiting on tall fish.