Commonly Asked Angelfish Questions

This article is an extension of our care guide for angelfish and will cover some of the most common questions we get asked about these fish. The answers here on this page are brief and to the point; but in order to fully understand the needs of these fish we highly recommend reading our care guide.

You can use the table below to jump to the question you need an answer to. 

Are Angelfish Aggressive?

No, angelfish are not generally considered to be aggressive. They can become territorial and may flare their fins at each other or chase away intruders, but they rarely cause serious harm to each other.

Are Angelfish Happy Alone?

Yes, angelfish are happy living alone. This is especially true if they are in their breeding season and have a smaller tank. 

However, angelfish are naturally social animals and boredom can negatively impact their health. Angelfish thrive best in small schools of 5-6 fish if your tank can support that many angles.

Are Angelfish Hard To Keep?

No, angelfish are not hard to keep. Angelfish are one of the easier South American cichlids to keep.

They can tolerate a range of water parameters and tank mates, making them ideal fish for community tanks.

It is important to provide them with a good aquarium environment that meets their needs for temperature, pH levels, water movement, and filtration. You can read more about these fish in our comprehensive guide for angelfish.

Are Angelfish Hardy?

Yes, angelfish are considered hardy fish and can be a great choice for beginner aquarists. They are relatively easy to care for as long as they have the right tank setup and diet.  

Are Angelfish Schooling Fish?

No, angelfish are not schooling fish. However, they are social creatures and when they are not in their breeding season they tend to prefer living in groups. 

When they pair for breeding they will separate from the group and find their small territory to raise their fry. After the breeding cycle, they will go back to their normal social behaviors.

Can Angelfish Lay Eggs Without A Mate?

Yes, female angelfish can lay eggs without a mate. When female angelfish reach maturity, between six to twelve months of age, they may start producing unfertilized eggs. 

Although these eggs are not viable and won’t develop into fry, it is important to remove them as soon as possible. This is because if left in the tank too long they can become prone to fungal infection or be consumed by other fish.

Can Angelfish Live With Bettas?

Yes, angelfish can live with bettas if the tank is large enough and properly maintained. It is important to provide plenty of space for the angelfish so they do not become territorial and aggressive towards each other, as well as to make sure that water parameters are in balance.

Can Angelfish Live With Goldfish?

No, it is not recommended to keep angelfish with goldfish. Angelfish require warmer water temperatures and need more oxygen than most types of goldfish can provide. 

Additionally, angelfish may become aggressive towards the slower-moving goldfish or view them as food.

Can Angelfish Live With Gouramis?

Yes, Angelfish can live with Gouramis. If you’re keeping angelfish and gouramis together in the same tank, it’s important to make sure that the environment is suitable for both species. 

Make sure there are plenty of hiding spots and places to explore so each fish can find its own territory. 

Also, provide ample amounts of water movement with a filter or bubbler, as this will help keep them healthy by providing oxygenation and preventing stagnation.

In addition to their habitat needs, you should also be wary of potential aggression between angelfish and gouramis.

Angelfish can sometimes be territorial when they feel threatened or stressed so it’s important to monitor their behavior closely if they share a tank with other fish like gouramis. 

Can Angelfish Live With Guppies?

Yes, angelfish can live with guppies but we don’t recommend it. Guppies are friendly, easygoing, and non-aggressive but they are very small and angelfish can bite their fins and eat them. 

We kept guppies with our angelfish successfully for a long time but there were times when we were rethinking our decision. 

Angelfish will eat the guppy fry so they can not continue to produce their next generation. This means after some time the population of guppies will gradually decline.

Angelfish also have a reputation for being territorial and aggressive, so they can harm the guppies if the tank setup is not right. 

Can Angelfish Live With Mollies?

Yes, angelfish can live with mollies in a large enough tank with plenty of hiding places. Mollies will outcompete angelfish for food if there are not enough hiding places, so it is important to ensure that the tank is well-planted and has plenty of caves and other hiding spots.

Can Angelfish Live With the Oscars?

Unfortunately, Oscars and angelfish are not compatible tank mates. Oscar fish have a much larger size than angelfish and can be quite territorial. 

Oscar’s aggressive nature could even lead to physical harm or death for the angelfish. Oscars will often try to eat angelfishes when kept in the same tank. 

Can Angelfish Live With Other Fish?

Yes, angelfish can live with other fish as long as the tank is large enough and the water parameters are correct for all species. 

Angelfish tend to get along best with other peaceful community fish such as tetras, gouramis, and rasboras. You can see other tank mate recommendations in our care guide for angelfish.

Can Angelfish Live Without A Heater?

No, angelfish are tropical fish and need warm waters to thrive. A good quality adjustable heater should be used to keep your tank warm and within the range these fish need.

Can I Keep Just One Angelfish?

Yes, you can keep just one angelfish. But it is important to note that they are still social animals and they will benefit from having some friends. 

If possible, try to get four to six angelfish in a tank of at least 65 gallons. This will give them enough space for swimming around and plenty of places to hide when needed. 

When keeping multiple angelfish together, make sure the tank has plenty of decorations and plants so each fish can claim its territory.

If you cannot accommodate this many fish in your aquarium or if your angel is particularly aggressive or territorial, then it may be best to keep him as a solitary fish. 

Do Angelfish Kill Other Fish?

Angelfish are known to be quite an aggressive species as they will eat any small fish that they can fit in their mouth. 

While this may make them appear dangerous, angelfish can also be great additions to a home aquarium if given the right environment. 

Proper tank setup is essential when keeping angelfish in an aquarium, and it’s important to provide plenty of hiding spaces for smaller fish so that your angelfish don’t feel threatened by other inhabitants.

 In addition, angelfish require good water quality and regular feeding with high-quality food sources. If all these conditions are met, then you can enjoy watching your pet angel happily swim around its tank!

Do Angelfish Mate For Life?

No, angelfish do not mate for life. In the wild, they tend to form pairs only during mating season and will often switch partners afterward or remain single until the next season.

However, in captivity, their social behavior is slightly different due to limited options and less competition from other fish. This can make a pair of angelfish look like they mate for life.

Do Angelfish Recognize Their Owners?

Yes, angelfish recognize their owners. Angelfish are smart fish who can learn to differentiate between people and even identify their owner’s face amongst a group of people. 

With proper care and attention, an angel fish can bond with its owner over time by getting visibly excited when you’re around or following your fingers as you move them around the tank.

How Do You Calm Angelfish Down?

The first step to calming down angelfish is to reduce stress in their environment. Keep the tank temperature stable and make sure that there are no sudden changes in lighting or water chemistry. 

Provide plenty of hiding places, such as plants, driftwood, and rocks so that your fish can retreat if they feel stressed or threatened by another fish. 

If you have other types of fish living with the angelfish, make sure that they aren’t harassing them as this can cause further stress on the angelfish. 

Another key way to calm down angelfish is through routine aquarium care and maintenance. When doing so, try to rearrange the decorations to break the territories angel fish have picked. This will lower the tension in the tank as no fish will try to defend their territory from other fish. 

How Do You Know If Angelfish Are Happy?

You can tell angelfish are happy if they exhibit behaviors such as swimming actively and exploring their environment, displaying bright colors, interacting with other fish in the tank, and eating regularly.

Healthy angelfish will be curious about their surroundings and often take time to explore different areas within the aquarium. 

They should have good coloration which indicates they’re healthy; pale or faded colors could mean they’re stressed or ill. 

Overall, when taken care of properly with all of its basic needs met – your angelfish should show signs of happiness through its behavior. 

Our care guide for angelfish will help you create the best possible life for your fish.

Why Are My Angelfish Kissing?

Your angelfish are kissing because they may be fighting or mating. Angelfish often show their interest in a potential mate by rubbing against each other and locking lips. 

This behavior is very endearing, as the fish lightly press their mouths together while making quick movements back and forth.

After this courtship ritual, the two will swim away from each other side by side to find an appropriate spawning site where they can lay their eggs.

On the other hand, your angelfish could also be displaying aggressive behavior towards one another. 

When angelfish are fighting for dominance over territory or resources within the tank, they may lock lips as part of an intimidation tactic known as “lip-locking”. 

During lip-locking fights, both fish will continuously press their mouths together until one backs down and retreats from the area – usually with some minor nips to deter future challenges!

Why Do Angelfish Die So Easily?

Angelfish are attractive and popular aquarium fish, but unfortunately, they are often prone to illnesses that cause death. 

The most common reasons why angelfish die so easily include poor water quality, inadequate tank space, improper diet, and lack of acclimation. 

To ensure that your angelfish live long and healthy lives it is essential to maintain the ideal water conditions by regularly testing the parameters such as pH levels, temperature, and ammonia levels.

It is also important to provide them with ample swimming space in a well-filtered aquarium.

Additionally, providing your angel fish with a varied diet rich in vitamins and minerals is also key for their overall health. 

Lastly, remember to buy from reputable breeders who can guarantee healthy specimens and properly acclimate them before introducing them into their new tank environment.

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