How many Angels & Coloration Question

[Aqualoon]

Have a 160g tank (72x20x25) that I plan to put 7 Orange Heads and 5 Clown Loaches.

1st Question - How many Angels would be good to add (I was thinking 5 but really have no idea).

2nd Question - For coloration is it just white, platinum, black, smokey, blue, marble (orange/white)? Or am I missing a color strain?

Thanks!

 

[SleepyCanadian]

My angel is white black and little orange

 

[jrthor_85]

http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/cichlid/angelfish-genetics.php

There's a pretty easy to understand rundown of angelfish coloration and genetics.

You can get away with a lot of angels in a 160 gal but you will need a lot of driftwood, plants, or other visual dividers once the angels start to pair up. Once a pair forms, they can be vicious punks to anyone else in the tank.

 

[Aqualoon]

I'll be getting some that are about dime size next week. How large of a group should I start out with?

As for the tank - tons of driftwood, plants and some river rock.

 

[dxdx]

I have 8 in my 96"x30"x24" along with 10 Orange Heads, 4 Severums and a hystrix. To me it's getting a little crowded, I plan to trim the geos to 7 and the severums to 2.

I would probably stick with 5 or 6.

 

[Aqualoon]

Just because I like odd numbers I'll stick with 5 then.

I am tempted to add a school of Congo or Colombian Tetras to complete the look though - but afraid this would make the tank look almost too busy.

 

[dxdx]

I am tempted to add a school of Congo or Colombian Tetras to complete the look though - but afraid this would make the tank look almost too busy.

I thought the same thing about Lemon Tetras... they would look good in that setup.

 

[jrthor_85]

My SA tank is 55gal, much smaller than the 160, but the 5 angels and 1 discus are the largest fish in there. I also have 4 harlequin rasbora and 6 glowlight danio as a dither school and still the tank looks a little sparse.

I'm not familiar with geos/eartheaters in my own aquariums, so I don't know how much action you want to see.

One tip that I wish I had followed: If you hope to breed, buy 10-12 angels at dime size (since that's what you're looking for) and raise them up till they start forming pairs. Then you can sell off the adult loners on CL for at least 20 bucks each or a LFS for 5-10. From dime to breeding adult is only 10-12 months.

 

[Aqualoon]

Not looking for much breeding out of this tank, just want a spectacular viewing tank. Want motion from it but not total craziness.

 

[Aqualoon]

I thought the same thing about Lemon Tetras... they would look good in that setup.

I caved - my LFS (very small store) had Lemon Tetras for $1.99 so had to grab all they had...which was only 3. But I figure I'll go in there next week when their next shipment comes in and get a few more.