How many angelfish and compatible fish tank mates can I fit in a 30 gallon tank?
by Aquaboy on Sunday, February 14th, 2010 | 5 Comments
I have a 30g tank: 30.3 in. (length) x 18.6 in. (height) x 12.8 in. (depth). I really want to get a tank that includes angelfish for the fish selection, and another fish that would go along with angels. Any suggestions? Sorry I’m bugging you guys! 
I will provide more info if needed!
30 gallon is the bare minimum size tank for an angel, so I would say 3. You could also get some tetra’s, althought the angels would eventually eat them.
Angels are VERY territorial! When you get them I would either get all three at once, or get 2, and the third be considerably larger then the other 2. Make sure you cycle the tank before adding fish.
Here is a list of tropical fish that are usually compatible with Angel Fish: Silver Dollars, Bigger Tetras such as Black Skirts, Serpaes, and Silver Tips, Corydoras Catfish, Livebearers such as Platies, Swordtails, and Mollies, but not Guppies which may be eaten by Angels, and one Plecostomus Catfish.
Angel Fish are often seen in aquariums with Gouramis, Giant Danios, Rainbows, a group of Bala Sharks, and a group of Clown Loaches.
As Angel Fish grow larger, they become very efficient at stalking and eating small fish like Guppies and Neon Tetras. So they are not compatible tank mates for these fish.
A 30 gallon tank is large enough for a single angel fish. Two angelfish would fit comfortably in your tank, but you would have some fairly problematic aggression issues. Angels need to be kept as single specimen fish, or in groups of 3 or more. Your 30 gallon tank is not big enough for 3 angel fish.
Angel fish are a member of the cichlid family and are territorial with similar fish. You would not be able to keep dwarf gourami or paradise fish with angels although you may be told it’s ok.
Good Tank mates: Black skirt tetras (2-3), clown loaches (1-2), Danios (5-6).
Bad Tank mates: plecos (get too large for your tank), gourami, mollies, silver dollars (territorial issues) & any schooling fish that exceeds an adult length of 3″ or more
I have a 30 gallon with 2 angels,2 cockatoo cichlids,and 10 neon tetra.I have enough filtration for 150 gallons,have lots of hiding place for the neons and toos,and when the angels breed,the others stay on their side of the tank.
So if your looking for 1 or 2 angels and only one more species for your 30 gallon,if you want to spend some money,cockatoo cichlids,or german blue ram cichlids are both very colorful,but usually need to be special ordered,and are a little expensive.If you want something that is easy to find and is less expensive,I would try one bala shark,or a few gouramni,and some tetra.Cory cats would also work with any of these fish.
This works fine for me and these fish,but different fish,even of the same species,will act different.Trial and error is always an option.Most fish stores will take back fish,unless they have been special ordered.
Good Luck!
Have Fun!
Many of the suggested tankmates you have already been given are good choices, you can add a plec as long as it is one of the smaller species, such as bristlenose or bulldog plec. There are also many L number plecs that can be a bit pricey, but will stay considerably smaller than a common plec.
If angels can only be kept as single specimens or in groups of 3 or more I must be real lucky keeping 7 breeding pairs, each pair in their own tank. The best thing you can do in a 30 gallon if you want compatable angels is to start with 6 or 8 juvies, with the understanding that you will be returning all but two. Any shop that won’t take back nearly adult angels that are potential breeders is not a shop you want to deal with. When you get a pair, they will be aggressive towards the other angels, this is when you keep the pair & return the rest.
I keep pairs in 20 or 29 gallon tanks, with a group of corys, and often a bristlenose plec. In the past I have had pairs with apistogramma cacatoides pairs, pairs of kribs, platys, swords, and on a few occasions common plecs in larger tanks.