Have you ever gone to a place where you are the odd one out? How did you feel? I know the desire of keeping every type of fish in a tank. Keeping one of each type of fish is quite a plan and I cannot deny how awesome it would be. And talking about Angelfish, this fish just makes the tank meticulously beautiful when kept in the community tank too. But we have to talk about whether they show shoaling behavior or not. And can Angelfish live alone?
Technically, yes angelfish can live alone in the tank but I do not recommend you to do that. Angelfish are shoaling fish so they need to be kept in a group to avoid stress and health hazards. Loneliness is a real thing even when it comes to your angelfish who might seem like it needs no one.
The negative impact of loneliness is something you do not want in your tank. So, better go for 6 angelfish that will help them with their social hierarchy.
I know this bit of information will not take you anywhere rather make you confused about what to do and what not to do.
Don’t worry, I am here to help. Here is an article entirely dedicated to knowing if angelfish can live alone or not.
Let’s get started, shall we?
Can Angelfish Live Alone In Single Tank?
Now, let’s talk in detail about the angelfish living alone in the tank. First, we will be talking or learning about whether angelfish can live alone in a single tank or not.
It can be quite a tough job to keep a single angelfish in a whole tank. Have you ever been left alone in a big building?
Can you understand how scary it will be to stay in a big space all alone? Angelfish cannot live alone in the tank all by itself.
Every fish asks for its new home to replicate their natural habitat. The same thing happens with the angelfish too.
Angelfish needs to have similar tank conditions that mimic the conditions of the wild where they originally come from.
So, this condition also includes the group of angelfish living together and swimming in a shoal.
Hence, if you keep your angelfish alone in the tank, then you are looking for the trouble, my friend.
Your angelfish need to be a part of the community even if it is not of their own. Do not act inhumanly and let them die of loneliness.
But if you still want to keep one angelfish, then you better go with the matured ones. You see, these matured angelfish are quite resistant to stress brought by loneliness.
Their territorial habit and aggression towards each other will be a positive thing when it comes to keeping an adult one alone in the tank.
Adult angelfish will love to have the entire tank to itself however do not even think about pulling this stunt with younger ones.
But I am still against keeping angelfish alone. This is clearly unethical to make your shoaling angelfish live alone. Don’t do that to community-loving, social fish.
Can Angelfish Live Alone In Community Tank?
Oh yes, now we are talking. You can keep angelfish alone in a community tank but remember to keep them with an ideal tank mate.
When you are having a hard time figuring out how to keep one angelfish in the tank, look no further than turning your tank into a community tank.
You will have all types of fish together even when you can’t give your angelfish a whole shoal to swim with.
Angelfish are territorial fish so you have to be extra careful when you plan to keep a community tank including angelfish.
Remember two of the main factors while choosing the companion for angelfish in the community tank:
- The fish you are planning to keep should not be smaller than angelfish or else your angelfish will devour them.
- Keep the fin nippers and aggressive fish away from your angelfish and community tank. Do not do anything that will result in an aquarium war.
With these two things in mind, planning a community tank with angelfish will be your cup of tea in no time.
When you cannot go with the ideal thing to do, it is better to go with the best alternatives. But truly, it is better to keep one adult angelfish alone in a tank than go with this chaos.
I know everyone loves for community tank rather than keeping one fish in a whole big tank. So, do as you like but research well so that you don’t mess things up.
Also, remember to look for the ideal tank size for a community tank with angelfish. Trust me, it is better to go with a bigger tank, more than 55 gallons, if you really have a community tank in mind.
What Happens If You Keep Your Angelfish Alone In A Tank?
I have been telling you from the very beginning how harsh it is to keep angelfish alone. Angelfish when they are matured enough will not protest or act weirdly even if you keep them alone in the tank.
But what about the younger ones? How would they react when you keep them alone in the tank? Or even think about them swimming around in the big tank alone.
That is truly cruel and unethical even if someone denies the fact. I have seen people screaming how it is okay to keep angelfish alone.
But you have to think about the fact that there is a difference in how adults and younger ones react. These fish are entirely different according to their age.
I will tell you all the negative impacts you will be welcoming in your fish when you keep a single angelfish in the tank.
Stress
You might already be familiar with the stress factor of staying alone in the tank. Have you ever imagined yourself stuck on a deserted island all alone?
The feeling of having no human contact for your entire life is scary for you. Then, think about the impact of being alone in a tank in a small and sensitive fish.
The stress of living alone in captivity is so overwhelming that it can bring so much chaos to the health of fish.
Loneliness
People think fish don’t feel anything or will not react no matter how you treat them. But boy, how wrong they are.
Your angelfish, especially the younger ones, will feel lonely when you keep it all alone in the big tank. Loneliness in fish is a real thing so we need to human up and take measures to not let our fish feel lonely again.
You will be surprised to know how your angelfish can recognize their owner even after years. So, next time when people tell you your angelfish don’t have the feeling, tell them to shut up and research well.
Loss Of Appetite
When you keep your angelfish alone in the tank, they won’t eat as much as the food they are supposed to eat.
They will be using so much energy to mourn about being alone that they won’t have the appetite to eat food.
Lethargy
Alone fish will be tired and passive in the tank. You won’t see them swimming around in the tank as actively as they do with a shoal of fish.
They will just sit around in one certain place for a long time and won’t even show enthusiasm to eat food or play in the tank.
Benefits Of Keeping Angelfish With Companions
Now, when you know what problem might arise in the tank or your fish health when you keep angelfish alone in the tank.
You might have guessed the benefits already and I t=know I am thinking out loud. But well, I have to do what I have to do.
Now, here are the benefits of keeping the angelfish with other companions or in a group rather than making it live alone.
Reduction Of Stress
Loneliness brings stress to fish that will, in turn, cause sickness and diseases. When they are in a group of their kind or with a compatible tank mate, you will find them more active and less stressed.
And also, a shoal of fish is less likely to get attacked by the predators compared to the single fish living in the tank.
The stress of performing every activity alone, living in a big tank, and saving itself from other factors is really tiring and energy-consuming.
These problems will subside one by one when you introduce new fish to the tank or a whole shoal of angelfish for the single one.
Mating
If you are into breeding fish in the home aquarium, then trust me keeping together a group of fish makes sit way easier.
They will meet and mate each other within the confined space and will bond in no time. You will easily see eggs during the breeding with no effort at all.
But saving those eggs will be a real headache so it is wise to separate a pair of angelfish to a different breeding tank when they start to show breeding ritual or behavior.
Lower Energy Consumption
Hydrodynamic efficiency in the shoal of fish is the main reason why every fish in a group is way faster yet less tired even after a whole day of activities and swimming.
This shoal of fish consumes very little energy and yet travel a long distance when they swim together.
So, when you keep a shoal of angelfish in the tank, you will find them more active and energetic even after a tiring day.
Confidence And Activeness
Have you noticed when you keep your fish alone in the tank, they are quite slow and will lag mostly?
They don’t even care what they do and what they don’t do in the tank. So, introducing companions or tank mates in the tank of lone fish will increase or at least start the competition.
These fish will readily become active to get the food first or show off how active they are in the tank. The confidence level in these fish will skyrocket when they are in a group.
You may be familiar with the proverb “You are stronger in a group”. I guess that applies in these angelfish as well.
They start to become more active and participate in more activities in the tank compared to the time they were alone.
How Many Angelfish Should You Keep In A Group?
Now, when I have pointed out the importance of keeping angelfish in a group, you might be wondering about the number of them you are supposed to keep in a tank.
You know when you keep angelfish in a group or along with its shoal, it will develop a social hierarchy as they do in wild.
Also, you need to know the ideal tank size according to the size of the group you are planning to keep.
But first, let me warn you, you will find people suggesting you keep two angelfish together in a tank.
Don’t do it; do not keep 2 angelfish together in a single tank as it will only bring in chaos and aquarium war between these territorial fish.
Minimum Group Size
If you are thinking about keeping lesser angelfish as it is possible, then I suggest you go for at least 2 angelfish.
But remember the ideal tank size for even 3 of these fish is quite bigger than you might generally be familiar with.
You have to go for at least a 30-gallon tank if you are planning to or going to keep 3 angelfish in the tank together.
As I have mentioned earlier, these angelfish are territorial and will start a war when you only keep 2 of them. The third addition of fish will minus the tension between the 2 fish in the tank.
Ideal Group Size
Now, when you know the minimum member of fish you need to keep together, let’s talk about the ideal group size.
If you really want your angelfish to be happy and has its own shoal in the tank, then go for 5 to 6 angelfish together in the tank.
But remember, the bigger the number, the bigger the tank. You have to go for 60 plus gallons of the tank if you want to ensure the health and safety of all angelfish you are planning to keep.
Possible Tank Mates For Angelfish
Now when you know you can keep angelfish with other fish, you will probably be wondering about the fish you can keep with angelfish.
Angelfish are peaceful yet territorial fish. So, you need to keep this factor in your mind while looking for fish that will go well with angelfish.
Trust me, Angelfish is one of the ideal community tank fish despite their big size. Be careful with the things you choose for your angelfish.
This beautiful is quite adjusting but will have a hard time when kept alone. I still suggest you go for a group of angelfish rather than looking for alternatives.
It is cruel and unethical to snitch the right of someone to live within their own community. The necessity and habit of living with their own shoal in the wild will not leave the subconsciousness of angelfish ever.
Best Tank Mates For Angelfish
- Boesemani Rainbow Fish
- Praecox Rainbow Fish
- Corydoras Catfish
- Bristlenose Pleco
- Keyhole Cichlids
- German Blue Cichlids
- Swordtails
- Dwarf Gourami
- Zebra Loaches
- Platies
- Mollies
Learn more about How Many Molly Fish In a 5, 10, 20, And 30-Gallon Tank? - Kribensis
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some FAQs you might like to know about regarding Angelfish and their living habits.
Can Angelfish Live In A Small Tank?
The answer to this question depends on your definition of a small tank. For some people, 20 gallons come to the list of small tanks when we are talking about Angelfish.
You see, Angelfish can grow up to 6 inches and they are quite territorial. So, the smallest tank you can plan for your angelfish is a 20-gallon tank.
Any tank with any less capacity will bring hazards to the tank and your fish’s health too. Do not push your limits and try to keep Angelfish in the tank smaller than 20-gallon.
The result is not a pleasure when you keep a territorial as well as a bigger fish in a small tank. So, I guess you got the answer to your question.
No, Angelfish cannot live in a small tank because the minimum tank size Angelfish ask for is a 20-gallon tank.
You might be interested to learn about How To Setup A 20-Gallon Fish Tank: Livestock and Equipment List
Can 2 Angelfish Live Together?
The gender of the Angelfish will make it easier to answer this question, to be honest. If you are planning to keep one male angelfish and one female angelfish in the tank together, then Great!
These two fish will live happily in the tank and even mate during the breeding season possibly.
However, the case is totally different when you keep the two same genders of Angelfish in a tank to live together.
The nightmare that follows when you keep 2 aggressive as well as territorial angelfish in the tank together.
You will be inviting aquarium war, injury in fish, and if any one of them is weak, then most probably death will follow.
Trust me, it is better to make angelfish live alone rather than keeping them in a group of 2 angelfish.
Will Angelfish Kill Each Other?
Oh yes, Angelfish will kill each other or at least one of them will die if the fish you are keeping are of the same gender.
The case is different when you keep one male and another female angelfish in the tank given that they have already bonded properly.
However, when it comes to the male ego, these fish will attack each other due to territorial issues. I guess, the border war is everywhere.
Angelfish are mostly peaceful fish but the aggression kicks in when they see each other in the tank alone.
The territorial instincts and the male ego satisfaction to prove themselves as the stronger ones are the main reason why you will end up having a dead angelfish in the tank.
Are Angelfish Good For Beginners?
When you are a beginner in fishkeeping, you can ask all sorts of questions. And honestly, you need to ask all sorts of questions so you don’t miss anything or make any common beginner’s mistake.
Okay, now the answer to your question. Yes, Angelfish are good fish for beginners. But you have to be careful with certain things.
Angelfish are one of the easiest fish to keep if you know how to set-up their tank properly and what you need to do after that.
You need to maintain the water parameters optimum all the time. But don’t feel pressurized, the slightest fluctuation in the water parameters will not be a big deal if you take immediate actions to make it back to ideal.
These freshwater fish are a blessing in disguise for those beginners who want to keep slightly bigger fish in their first shot.
But remember to feed them properly and give them good quality food only. Do not compromise on the things that are most important for your fish health.
Conclusion
To conclude, keeping a shoaling fish alone that is well adjusted to the fact of social hierarchy is the next level of inhumanity. I do not recommend you to keep angelfish alone until and unless they are in a community tank with tank mates that are compatible with Angelfish. Loneliness and stress are fatal to fish too. Depression and other health hazards follow when you keep your angelfish alone in the tank. Do not be so cruel to keep shoaling fish that loves to stay in a group alone. And also, do not keep them in a smaller tank when you keep a whole group of them. These territorial fish will make your life a living hell if you overstock them in a small space.
I know it can get scary when you cannot keep the fish you desire properly. Don’t worry, if you are wise enough to follow what I said and not make your angelfish lonely, you are good to go.
And if you still have queries related to angelfish or any other fish, then drop a comment on the comment section below. I will try to respond as soon as possible.
Good Luck!!!
Happy Fishkeeping!!!
