What Fish Can Angelfish Live With – The Complete Guide To Peaceful

Written ByHoward Parker

Let’s be honest—we’ve all been there. You’re standing in front of an aquarium, mesmerized by the elegant, flowing fins of a Freshwater Angelfish. You can already picture it gliding gracefully through your home tank. But then the big question hits: what fish can angelfish live with? It’s a question that can make or break the harmony of your entire aquatic community.

You’ve come to the right place. I promise this complete guide will demystify the process and give you the confidence to build a vibrant, peaceful, and stunning angelfish community tank. We’ll dive deep into the best (and worst) tank mates, share pro tips for setting up your aquarium for success, and troubleshoot common problems before they even start.

Forget the guesswork and anxiety. By the end of this article, you’ll have a clear roadmap to creating the angelfish tank of your dreams. Let’s get started!

Understanding Angelfish Temperament: The Key to Compatibility

Before we even start listing fish, we need to talk about the star of the show. Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare) are cichlids. And if you know anything about cichlids, you know they can have a bit of an attitude!

While often sold as peaceful community fish, angelfish are more accurately described as semi-aggressive. They are generally peaceful when young, but as they mature, they can become territorial, especially during breeding. Their long, flowing fins can also be an irresistible target for nippy fish.

Understanding this dual nature is the most critical part of this what fish can angelfish live with guide. Our goal is to choose tank mates that are not aggressive enough to bully the angelfish, but also not so small and timid that they become a snack. It’s all about finding that perfect balance.

The Best Tank Mates: What Fish Can Angelfish Live With?

So, you’re ready to build your community. The key is choosing fish with compatible temperaments, water parameter needs (soft, acidic water is a plus), and size. Here are some of my go-to, time-tested favorites that have brought me and countless other hobbyists success.

Peaceful Schooling & Shoaling Fish

These fish are great “dither fish”—their calm, active presence helps make angelfish feel more secure and less likely to be skittish. Always keep them in proper school sizes (6+ is a good rule) to ensure their safety and confidence.

  • Rummy Nose Tetras: My personal favorite. They are active, peaceful, and get just large enough to not be seen as food. Their bright red noses are a fantastic indicator of good water quality!
  • Black Skirt Tetras (or GloFish Tetras): A classic choice. They are hardy, robust, and their deeper body shape makes them an unappealing target for a hungry angelfish.
  • Lemon Tetras: A beautiful and often underrated choice. They have a subtle yellow hue and a peaceful disposition, making them excellent community members.
  • Harlequin Rasboras: These beautiful fish occupy the middle of the water column and are known for their incredibly peaceful nature. They are a safe and colorful addition.

Hardy Bottom Dwellers

Bottom dwellers are fantastic because they occupy a different level of the tank, minimizing territorial disputes. They also double as a clean-up crew! This is one of the best benefits of what fish can angelfish live with when you choose wisely.

  • Corydoras Catfish (Corys): Panda Corys, Sterbai Corys, and Bronze Corys are all wonderful choices. They are peaceful, social, and constantly shuffling through the substrate for leftover food. Keep them in groups of 6 or more; they need their friends!
  • Bristlenose Plecos: Unlike their massive Common Pleco cousins, Bristlenose Plecos stay a manageable size (around 5-6 inches). They are armored, peaceful, and do a phenomenal job of eating algae. A must-have for almost any community tank.
  • Kuhli Loaches: These quirky, eel-like fish are shy and nocturnal but add a ton of personality. They are completely peaceful and will spend their time burrowing in the sand and scavenging.

Unique Centerpiece Companions

Looking for another standout fish to share the spotlight? These options are large and peaceful enough to hold their own without causing trouble.

  • Pearl Gouramis: One of the most peaceful gourami species. They are elegant, graceful, and generally ignore their tank mates. Their long feelers might get mistaken for worms by a curious angelfish, but it’s rarely a serious issue.
  • Dwarf Cichlids (e.g., Bolivian Rams): If you want to add another cichlid, Bolivian Rams are a great choice. They are much more peaceful than their German Blue Ram cousins and stick to the bottom half of the tank, staying out of the angelfish’s way.

Fish to AVOID: A Recipe for Disaster

Knowing what fish not to keep with angelfish is just as important as knowing what you can. Adding the wrong fish can lead to stress, injury, or even death. Here are the types of fish you should steer clear of.

  • Fin Nippers: This is the number one rule. Fish like Tiger Barbs and some serpae tetras will relentlessly nip at your angelfish’s beautiful, trailing fins, causing stress and opening them up to infection.
  • Very Small Fish: Anything that can fit into an adult angelfish’s mouth is at risk. This includes Neon Tetras, Guppies, and other nano fish. While some people have success raising them with juvenile angelfish, it’s a gamble that often ends badly once the angels mature.
  • Aggressive or Large Cichlids: Avoid housing angelfish with large, aggressive cichlids like Oscars, Jack Dempseys, or most African Cichlids. They will bully and likely kill your angelfish due to territorial disputes and sheer aggression.
  • Goldfish: This is a common beginner mistake. Goldfish are coldwater fish with completely different temperature and water parameter requirements. They are also notoriously messy, which can degrade the water quality angelfish need to thrive.

Setting Up for Success: Best Practices for a Harmonious Angelfish Tank

A successful community tank is about more than just picking the right fish. Your setup plays a huge role in keeping the peace. Following these what fish can angelfish live with best practices will set you up for long-term harmony.

1. Go Big and Go Tall

Angelfish are tall, not long. They need vertical space to feel comfortable. A standard 29-gallon tank is the absolute minimum for a pair, but a 55-gallon or larger “tall” tank is much better, especially for a community.

More space means more territory for everyone, which dramatically reduces aggression. Don’t skimp on the tank size—it’s the foundation of a peaceful aquarium.

2. Create Sightline Breaks with Plants and Decor

This is one of my most important what fish can angelfish live with tips. In an empty tank, fish are always in each other’s line of sight, which can lead to constant stress and chasing. Use tall plants (like Amazon Swords and Vallisneria) and pieces of driftwood to create visual barriers.

This allows fish to escape, hide, and establish their own little territories. A well-planted tank is not just beautiful; it’s a tool for managing aggression.

3. Introduce Angelfish Last (or Young)

If you’re building a new community, add the peaceful schooling fish and bottom dwellers first. Let them get established for a few weeks. Then, add your juvenile angelfish. Introducing them last (or as youngsters) makes them less likely to view the entire tank as their sole territory.

When adding any new fish, always remember to turn off the lights and rearrange the decor slightly. This resets existing territories and gives the newcomer a better chance to settle in without being bullied.

Solving Common Problems with Angelfish Tank Mates

Even with perfect planning, you might face some bumps in the road. Don’t worry! Here’s a quick look at some common problems with what fish can angelfish live with and how to solve them.

  • Problem: My angelfish is bullying other fish.
    Solution: This is often a sign of territory or boredom. First, check your tank size—is it large enough? Second, add more plants and decor to break sightlines. Finally, ensure your dither fish schools are large enough (6+ members) to diffuse aggression. A single angelfish may also be less aggressive than a breeding pair.
  • Problem: My other fish are hiding all the time.
    Solution: Hiding is a sign of stress. The fish either feel threatened by the angelfish or lack adequate cover. Observe the tank closely to see if there’s active chasing. If not, the solution is often as simple as adding more plants, caves, or driftwood to give them secure hiding spots.
  • Problem: A breeding pair of angelfish has become hyper-aggressive.
    Solution: This is natural behavior. A breeding pair will defend their eggs and fry fiercely. The best solution is to move the pair to a dedicated breeding tank (a 20-gallon is fine). If that’s not possible, use a tank divider to protect the other fish until the breeding cycle is over.

A Note on Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Fishkeeping

As we create these beautiful underwater worlds, it’s important to consider our impact. When you’re shopping for your angelfish and their tank mates, try to support local fish stores that source their fish responsibly. Ask them where their fish come from!

Many popular fish, including angelfish and various tetras, are now captive-bred. Choosing captive-bred fish is a fantastic, eco-friendly what fish can angelfish live with practice. It reduces pressure on wild populations and ensures you get healthier, hardier fish that are already accustomed to aquarium life. This is a core part of a good what fish can angelfish live with care guide.

Frequently Asked Questions About Angelfish Tank Mates

Can angelfish live with guppies?

This is a very risky combination, and I generally advise against it. Guppies are small enough to be eaten by adult angelfish, and their flashy, flowing tails can trigger aggression. While it might work when the angelfish are tiny, it’s a ticking time bomb.

How many angelfish should be kept together?

You can keep a single angelfish, a confirmed breeding pair, or a group of 5-6 or more. Keeping just two or three non-paired angelfish is often a recipe for trouble, as one will likely be singled out and bullied relentlessly. A larger group helps spread out any aggression.

Will angelfish eat shrimp?

Yes, almost certainly. Angelfish will see small dwarf shrimp like Cherry Shrimp or Crystal Shrimp as a delicious and expensive snack. If you want to keep invertebrates, larger species like Amano Shrimp might survive if there is a ton of cover, but it’s still a risk. Snails like Nerite Snails are a much safer bet.

Your Peaceful Angelfish Community Awaits

Creating a thriving community tank with angelfish as the centerpiece is one of the most rewarding experiences in the aquarium hobby. It might seem daunting at first, but it’s entirely achievable with a little knowledge and planning.

Remember the key takeaways from our how to what fish can angelfish live with journey: understand their semi-aggressive nature, choose tank mates of appropriate size and temperament, and provide a large, well-decorated tank. You’re not just adding fish to a box of water; you’re creating a balanced ecosystem.

Now you have the expert knowledge and confidence to move forward. Go build that beautiful, peaceful aquarium you’ve been dreaming of. Happy fishkeeping!

Howard Parker
Latest posts by Howard Parker (see all)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *