What Fish Go With Angelfish: A Complete Compatibility Guide
There’s nothing quite like the sight of a majestic angelfish gliding through a beautifully planted aquarium. Their diamond-shaped bodies and long, elegant fins make them the undisputed royalty of the freshwater world. But as many aquarists discover, building a peaceful kingdom around them can be tricky.
You’ve probably asked yourself, “what fish go with angelfish?” It’s one of the most common questions we get here at Aquifarm, and for good reason. Choosing the wrong tank mates can turn your serene aquatic paradise into a chaotic battlefield of nipped fins and stressed-out fish.
Imagine, instead, a vibrant, harmonious community where your angelfish are the stunning centerpiece, coexisting peacefully with a diverse cast of colorful companions. This isn’t a fantasy—it’s completely achievable with the right knowledge.
This guide is your key to unlocking that success. We’re going to walk you through everything you need to know, from understanding angelfish behavior to picking the perfect tank mates and avoiding the disastrous ones. Let’s build your dream angelfish tank together!
Understanding Angelfish Temperament: The Key to Harmony
Before we even think about other fish, let’s get to know our star player. The first thing to remember is that angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare) are cichlids. That word alone should tell you they have a bit of a personality!
While they are some of the more peaceful members of the cichlid family, they are still considered semi-aggressive. This doesn’t mean they are monsters, but they are territorial, intelligent, and can become bullies under the wrong circumstances. This is one of the most common problems with what fish go with angelfish—underestimating their cichlid nature.
Young angelfish are generally docile and can be kept in groups. However, as they mature, they will pair off and can become extremely territorial, especially when they are ready to breed. Their long, flowing fins also make them a tempting target for smaller, faster fish known as “fin-nippers.”
The Golden Rules: Your What Fish Go With Angelfish Best Practices
Success starts with a solid foundation. Before you even head to the fish store, commit these core principles to memory. Following these best practices is the most important part of this entire what fish go with angelfish care guide.
Rule #1: Size Matters (Both Now and Later)
The number one rule of angelfish compatibility is size. Any fish that is small enough to fit into an adult angelfish’s mouth is at risk of becoming a very expensive snack. This includes popular choices like small Neon Tetras or Guppies.
Conversely, you also want to avoid fish that will grow to be much larger and more aggressive than the angelfish, as they could bully or outcompete them for food.
Rule #2: Avoid the Fin-Nippers at All Costs
Angelfish have long, delicate ventral fins and flowing dorsal and anal fins. To a fin-nipping species like a Tiger Barb, these fins look like irresistible, trailing worms. Nipped fins are stressful for the angelfish and can lead to secondary infections like fin rot. It’s a non-negotiable deal-breaker.
Rule #3: Match the Water Parameters
Angelfish thrive in warm water, typically between 78-84°F (25-29°C), with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.5-7.5). Any potential tank mate must be comfortable in these same conditions. Never try to force a fish to adapt to a parameter range that isn’t natural for it. This means coldwater fish like goldfish are completely out of the question.
Rule #4: Give Them Space
A cramped environment is a recipe for aggression. Angelfish get tall—up to 10 inches from the tip of their dorsal to their anal fin! This means you need a tall aquarium. A standard 55-gallon tank is a great starting point for a small community, as it provides both the vertical space and the horizontal swimming room needed to reduce territorial disputes.
The A-List: Best Tank Mates for Angelfish
Alright, you’ve learned the rules of the game. Now for the fun part! This section of our what fish go with angelfish guide will give you a list of reliable, time-tested tank mates that create a beautiful and peaceful community.
Peaceful Bottom Dwellers
These fish occupy the lower level of the tank, meaning they will rarely cross paths with your mid-dwelling angelfish. This is a huge benefit.
- Corydoras Catfish: These are the perfect janitors. Peaceful, active, and fun to watch, they’ll clean up leftover food without bothering anyone. Stick to medium-sized species like Panda, Sterbai, or Bronze Corys. Always keep them in groups of 6 or more!
- Bristlenose Plecos: Unlike the Common Pleco that can grow into a two-foot monster, the Bristlenose stays a manageable 4-5 inches. They are fantastic algae eaters and will spend their days minding their own business on the glass and driftwood.
- Kuhli Loaches: These quirky, noodle-like fish are shy and nocturnal but add a ton of personality. They are completely peaceful and will burrow in the substrate, staying well out of the angelfish’s way.
Reliable Mid-Water Swimmers
Choosing mid-water fish requires more care, but these options are generally safe and beautiful additions.
- Rummy Nose Tetras: A school of Rummy Nose Tetras is one of the best companions for angelfish. They are too large to be eaten by adults, are very peaceful, and act as excellent “dither fish.” A relaxed school of Rummy Noses signals to the angelfish that the environment is safe.
- Black Skirt Tetras: These are a classic choice. They are robust, fast enough to avoid any trouble, and their deeper body shape makes them an unappealing target. Just be sure to get the standard fin variety, not the long-finned ones which can be nipped themselves.
- Dwarf Gouramis: A single Dwarf Gourami can work well, as they are also relatively slow-moving and enjoy similar water conditions. Watch their individual personalities, but in a large enough tank, they usually coexist peacefully.
- German Blue or Bolivian Rams: These dwarf cichlids are a fantastic choice. They stay small, occupy the mid-to-bottom levels, and share the angelfish’s preference for warm, soft water. They are stunningly beautiful and one of the best cichlid tank mates for angels.
What Fish Go With Angelfish? The Ones to Avoid!
Knowing what fish to avoid is just as critical as knowing which ones to choose. Adding one of these to your tank can undo all your hard work and lead to stress, injury, or death. This is a critical part of any guide on what fish go with angelfish.
The Notorious Fin-Nippers
As we mentioned, these are public enemy number one. Avoid them without exception.
- Tiger Barbs: The classic example of a fin-nipper. They are relentless and will harass your angelfish to no end.
- Serpae Tetras: While beautiful, they have a well-deserved reputation for nipping at the flowing fins of slower fish.
The Bullies and Giants
Angelfish might be cichlids, but they can’t stand up to the true heavyweights of the cichlid world.
- Oscars, Jack Dempseys, Green Terrors: These large, aggressive South and Central American cichlids will terrorize and likely kill your angelfish.
- Most African Cichlids: They require completely different water parameters (hard, alkaline water) and are far too aggressive.
The Bite-Sized Snacks
Don’t set your angelfish up for a tempting meal.
- Neon Tetras: While some people have success, it’s a huge gamble. Adult angelfish will often see them as food. If you must try
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