| Angelfish have been popular for a long time, and | | | | too fatty meat to protect the liver from getting |
| new strains are still being developed. Wild-caught | | | | cirrhosis. It is a good habit to feed Angelfish two |
| fish are also widely available. Angelfish are cichlids, | | | | or three times a day a with small amount instead |
| which mean they can be aggressive, territorial, | | | | of single large meal. This will prevent digestive |
| and predatory. They also have some demanding | | | | problems. |
| requirements for space, water conditions, and diet. | | | | Angelfish can be good community fish. They do |
| Angelfish require space to establish and hold a | | | | need to have appropriate tank mates for |
| territory. You can keep one Angelfish in a | | | | everything to work out. Some small fish may end |
| relatively small aquarium, but they will do a lot | | | | up on the menu, like Neon Tetras, and slower fish |
| better in a group of five or more in bigger tank. | | | | may have difficulty to get enough food. Avoid |
| You should provide 10 gallons of water for one | | | | very small fish and choose tank mates with |
| adult Angelfish. | | | | similar temperament, and water condition |
| If you consider keeping Angelfish, locally bred fish | | | | requirements. Some Angel fish strains have very |
| are a good choice. They are usually already | | | | long fins and tails, which some other species keep |
| acclimated to your tap water, and probably are | | | | nipping. |
| available at your local fish store. | | | | If you are interested in breeding Angelfish, you will |
| There is a growing number of "basement | | | | need a second tank to separate the breeding pair |
| breeders" all over the country, who bring their fish | | | | from the rest of the community, or to rear the |
| to the store for sale. This will save you a lot of | | | | fry. It would be best to get at least 3 to 5 Angels |
| time and money if you are just starting with | | | | to be sure you get one female and one male. |
| Angelfish. | | | | Sometimes you may find a pair of adults for sale, |
| Wild-caught fish are harder to get acclimated to | | | | which have already spawned. Angels will form a |
| different water conditions. It has to happen very | | | | pair after courtship display, and will aggressively |
| slowly, and at first the conditions should be close | | | | guard the chosen spawning spot. This is usually |
| to their natural water conditions; slightly acidic, and | | | | some kind of vertical surface, a big leaf or tubing |
| relatively soft. Water temperature must be | | | | for example. Spawning takes about an hour. Both |
| maintained between 78 and 84 degrees | | | | parents keep fanning the eggs for three days until |
| Fahrenheit for all Angelfish regardless of their | | | | they hatch. The fry will stay attached to the |
| origin. They don't like to get "chilled"; they will | | | | surface for about five days and then start |
| suffer and get sick in too cool water. | | | | swimming on their own. By this time the fry has |
| There are no special requirements for filters, as | | | | used most of its yolk, and needs to be fed for |
| long as the water stays clean. The only thing to | | | | the first time. You can offer newly hatched brine |
| think about is that the water is not flowing too | | | | shrimp. It's wiggling will stimulate the fry to eat |
| fast. Angelfish are not happy where salmon would | | | | better than flake food will, which can be offered |
| be. Thirty percent of the water should be | | | | crushed. |
| changed at least every two weeks. Also vacuum | | | | Parents will take care of the fry, but if any |
| the bottom to keep it clean and aerated, since | | | | wander away; they will get on the menu of the |
| Angelfish will not mix the substrate. One option is | | | | other fish. This can be prevented by moving the |
| to keep some bottom dwellers with Angels. | | | | fry to a separate tank. If the fry is well fed and |
| Angelfish generally accept all kinds of food. They | | | | the tank is kept clean, the fry will grow very fast. |
| are omnivorous, which means they eat meat and | | | | Then you can start asking from your local fish |
| plant food. You can offer pellets, flakes, frozen | | | | stores if they would be interested in having your |
| blood worms and brine shrimp, and so on. Avoid | | | | little Angels for sale. Happy fish keeping. |