Owning your very own fish is a gift. Fish love to swim around in their aquarium. It’s nice when they get excited once you see that you’re going to feed them. Angelfish are great pals to have. But can they live happily and safely if you add koi fish into the mix? Before you make this decision, check out these important factors upon adding more fish to the aquarium.
The Answer: Yes and No
Yes, angelfish and koi fish can live in the same water. But, at the same time, they should not live in the same waters.
The Difference in the Water Environment
Koi fish need cooler water to live in while angelfish need to be in warmer waters. It’s a better idea for koi fish to live in their ponds. Angelfish are better off in a fish tank. They don’t require as much space to swim in, unlike koi fish. Koi fish grow to the size of two feet.
The Nature of Koi Fish
Koi Fish are aggressive. The last thing that you need is to see your fish fight all the time. Because koi fish get bigger they grab at food faster than the angelfish.
The Different Types of Angel Fish
Angelfish are silver with black vertical stripes. There are different breedings of angelfish. Many have been developed over the years. Most angelfish sold in the hobby are Pterophyllum scalare, though, P. Altum is occasionally available. A third species, P. leopoldi, is known as the smallest and most aggressive species of angelfish. It is very rare to see them.
The Nature of Angel Fish
Angel Fish has a very different nature compared to most aquarium fishes. According to sources, angelfish are recognized as the most recognized freshwater fish in home aquarium settings. Let’s check out more cool facts about what makes an angelfish so unique.
Graceful Swimming Behavior
Have you ever watched how an angelfish swims? It’s very graceful. They make stunning additions to any aquarium. It’s rare when angelfish are caught in the wild. Most angelfish are on sale in pet stores.
Their Habitat Belongs to Them
As soon as an angelfish finds its home, they don’t want anybody else there. In the wild, angelfish like to live in quiet and exclusive areas. They prefer slow-moving waters and dim lighting under trees.
Water Features for Angel Fish
Angelfish that are raised accept a wide range of water conditions. However, they prefer warmer water. The pH should be between 6.8 and 7.8, with hardness between 3° and 8° dKH (54 to 145 ppm). The temperature should be kept between 78° and 84° F.
Maintain good filtration and make water changes every other week. No fish likes to swim in a dirty fish tank. Don’t forget to treat tap water with Aqueon Water Conditioner before cleaning your tank.
What Do Their Living Conditions Require?
Angelfish grow large. They require an aquarium of 55 gallons or larger when fully grown. Think about getting a tall aquarium, to accommodate their body shape. Water flow should be gentle. You may not think of it but you should include decor in the fish tank. Include items such as large broadleaf plants and driftwood that are arranged vertically to simulate downed branches and trees.
You can also add a few floating plants. They add shaded areas. The substrate should be fine to medium grade, smooth-surfaced gravel, as angelfish like to forage along the bottom for food.
The Behavior of an Angel Fish
Angelfish are generally peaceful creatures. Don’t let that fool you. They are aggressive. To each other and other fish. They will not hesitate to eat smaller fish. However, that means they will only eat whatever is small enough to fit in their mouths. So, they can be around other fish in an aquarium – just as long as they’re not small fish.
An Angel Fish’s Diet
Angelfish are omnivores. Angelfish feed at the surface. However, by nature, they often forage along the bottom in search of worms and small crustaceans. Angelfish like to eat Aqueon Tropical Flakes, Color Flakes, Tropical Granules, and Shrimp Pellets.
They can also be fed, frozen, and live foods as treats or to help induce spawning. For best results, rotate their diet daily and feed only what they can consume at least once or twice a day.
Angelfish Breeding Level
Adult angelfish produce quickly. They clear out a flat vertical surface to lay their eggs. Any fish that comes their way and they will be chased away. The female lays out their eggs in rows on the surface. The male fertilizes them.
Sadly, most captive angelfish lose their rearing instinct. Oftentimes they eat their own eggs Fish breeders influence pairs to spawn on vertical pieces of slate or other material. After they remove to hatchery aquariums for raising.
What Kind of Fish Can Live With Koi?
Pay close attention to what fish can live with Koi. Consider all the elements that go into an aquarium of any type of fish. It’s best to have fish that are the size of Koi in the same pond. But when in a tank, you can select tropical fish. The temperature can easily be controlled. Here are the types of fish that can live with Koi.
Barbel
Barbels are home to Europe and make the best tank mates to koi fish. They reach up to 4 feet or 40 inches. They are of similar size to koi fish. Better yet, they exhibit the characteristics of Carp. Better yet, they keep the bottom of the tank clean.
Barbs
Barbs originated from Sumatra and Indonesia. They can reach up to three inches in size. They are not territorial in any way. Omnivores by nature, they will get along just as well with koi fish. As they are small, they don’t need that much water volume.
Catfish
We’re surprised to hear this fact as well. Koi and Cat Fish can live together. Although catfish are tropical fish, they can live in a wide range of temperatures.
Goldfish
Goldfish and koi are the most common roommates. They have similar characteristics. Both are coldwater fish and they have a similar diet. And goldfish require less care compared to koi.
Golden Orfe
Upon looking at the two together, Golden Orfe’s and Koe Fish look very similar. They are bottom feeders, but they also like to swim on the surface like koi. They need good water quality. While keeping them with Koi in a tank, it’s important to maintain a good filtration and oxygenation of the water.
Tench
People like to think of Tench fish as doctors because of their body shape. They can reach up to 70 cm. And they weigh up to 7.5 Kg. Tench fish are peaceful and social. Koi fish and Tench are sure to have no problems living together.
Pleco
Pleco is a tropical fish. They go well with Koi. They suit well for the aquarium. Most fish lovers like Plecos because of their attractive colors. And they are slow-moving fish.
Sturgeon
There are 27 species of Sturgeon fish. They are going extinct. And it is illegal in some places to catch Sturgeon. Sturgeon grow to be big in size and weight. Although aquarium sturgeon and koi can live happily their irregular movement disturbs koi and the tank bottom. Be sure you have a large tank before you put them with koi.
What Fish Can You Not Keep Around Angel Fish?
Angelfish should not be put in the same tank with fish that are 2 inches (5 centimeters) long. As mentioned, angelfish eat any fish that are small enough to feed. This is also a good segway to talk about how one should never put angelfish in with big whoppers like jaguar cichlids, Oscars, or redhead cichlids.
Match up fish that meet similar needs and are not contrasting. Each tank mate should occupy similar aquarium needs. Angelfish are aggressive creatures. Make sure that they get along with whoever they are sharing the tank with.
What Fish is Compatible with Angel Fish?
Boesemani Rainbow Fish
Boesemani starts out being a somewhat dull gray with a yellow tail as young but quickly develop stunning color. They are half blue and half-bright yellow. At any easy care-level, they grow to be 4 inches. They are peaceful omnivores. The angelfish will ignore the presence of the other.
Corydoras Catfish
Originated from South America, Corydoras scour the bottom for unwanted food. 2-4 inches in size they are peaceful fish to get along with. They are good cleaners. These fish need to be kept in a school. Corydoras Catfish like to travel in groups in the wild. These groups number to hundreds. Keeping at least five Corydoras in the fish tank with the angelfish.
Dwarf Gourami
Known to be shy, Dwarf gouramis originate from Southeast Asia. They are native water conditions are very similar to those of angelfish. Make sure to serve them with densely planted areas so they can hide when they feel threatened. Keep more than one male in the tank, Males put up a fight with one another.
Praecox Rainbow Fish
Praecox Rainbow Fish are the smaller cousin of the Boesemani rainbow fish. They have a silver body that has an iridescent blue sheen. Their fins are a bright red color. Easy to live with, they are big enough to be around angelfish. These fish grow out of immaturity as adults.
Zebra Loaches
Zebra loaches are another schooling bottom feeder that is excellent for an angelfish tank. Not massive in size, they get along well with angelfish. They have energetic personalities just like angelfish. If their personalities connect then they can live together in the same tank. However, they don’t do a good job of keeping clean. And they don’t go above the mid-water region.
Platies
Platies are colorful fish. They are active and make a great addition to a tank with angelfish. Platies come in many different colors and patterns. They like to swim around in the tank. These fish prefer moderately hard to hard water, but they can be adjusted to slightly softer conditions.
Be aware that these fish can breed like crazy in an aquarium. If you have a male and female, they will likely have babies. If you want to keep their young, place heavily pregnant females in a breeding box so you can easily separate the fry.
Keeping their young is not a good idea as the angelfish will go after their babies and eat them. To avoid this, have two female platies.
Mollies
Mollies are from Central American. They are only 4-5 inches in size. There are several species of Mollies available in the trade and lots of different color morphs. Very easy to take care of come from waterways with higher mineral contents. but mollies can be acclimated to softer water.
They will immediately breed in the tank. Adult mollies fish will eat most of the fry so you probably won’t be overrun with baby mollies.
Kribensis
Kribensis are known as rainbow kribs. They are a species of dwarf cichlid. With their bright colors and peaceful temperaments, Kribensis is an African cichlid, but they originate from softer waters that are compatible with the conditions in an angelfish tank.
Be aware that Kribensis like to breed. They are the bottom levels of the aquarium. And they are not the most social fish. They enjoy small territories of their own so they will build their caves.
Bushynose Pleco
This species of fish make great algae eaters. You can’t see them as well in the tank. They will clean everything in the fish tank. 4-6 inches in size, they stay relatively small. Despite their shy nature, Bushynose Pleco will get along with the angelfish peacefully.
However, one downside is that they will eat up all the plants that you put into the tank. As much as you can try to distract them, they are just going to eat the plants anyway.