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