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Although freshwater Angelfish are an easy-care fish they do need their tank setup to be right. Fortunately, this isn’t difficult to do. And you’ll end up with a tank that’s good for your Angelfish and attractive to look at too.
The best tank setup for freshwater Angelfish is one that includes plants, a fine/soft substrate and rocks. The water flow should be gentle and the tank water needs to be heated, filtered and oxygenated. The tank needs to be deep in height and the addition of secluded areas, created by rocks and plants, is beneficial.
Whether you’re setting up an Angelfish only tank, or you plan to add some tankmates, you can keep things easy-care. It really doesn’t have to be complicated.
In this article I will be explaining how to set up a tank for your freshwater Angelfish. I’ll also be giving you information about possible tankmates and general tips that will help you to keep your Angelfish happy and healthy.
Tip: Decide how many Angelfish you want to keep before buying a tank. If you buy the tank first the size of the tank will dictate how many Angelfish you can keep.
Choosing A Tank For Your Angelfish
Although Angelfish are sometimes kept alone they prefer to have other Angelfish for company. So, as a minimum it’s best to have at least 2 Angelfish. Although a small group of 4-6 is even better. Once you’ve decided on how many Angelfish you will keep you can start looking for a tank for them to live in.
It’s always best to buy the biggest tank that your budget and available space will allow.
So What Size Tank do Angelfish Need?
The tank size you will need for your Angelfish will depend on a few things. It’s a good idea to take the points below into account before buying an aquarium.
- The number of Angelfish you want to keep
- The size of Angelfish when they’re full grown – average length is between 5-6 inches (12.7-15.24 cm) and their average height can be up to Approx. 8 inches (20.32 cm). As you can see Angelfish are usually taller than they are long. So it’s important to take their height into account when choosing a tank.
- Plenty of room for plants but leaving plenty of swim-room for the fish too.
- Room for any other fish that will share the tank.
- Spare litres/gallons in case your Angelfish breed and their fry reach maturity. Or if their tankmates breed and need room too.
If you would like more information about how Angelfish reproduce read my article ‘ How Do Angelfish Breed?‘
As you can see from the list above there are a few basic things to consider when you’re choosing the right tank for your Angelfish. And it’s impossible for me to tell you what size tank to buy because I don’t know exactly what you have in mind.
My advice though is to make a plan taking all of the points above into account. Then speak to your local Pet Store or Aquatic Dealer for advice on a suitable tank that will comfortably accommodate all of your planned inhabitants and will also allow room for possible fry.
There’s no ‘one-size-fits-all’ when it comes to choosing the right tank for your fish. So having a plan and getting some guidance is a great help. Particularly if you’re new to the fish keeping hobby.
Note: It’s always better to understock rather than overstock a tank, particularly in a new tank setup. If you add too many fish at once you run the risk of an ammonia spike which can be fatal to your fish.
Tip: A rough guide to tank size for a pair of Angelfish is a minimum of 20 UK Gallons (Approx. 90.8 Litres) or 24 US Gallons (Approx. 90.72 Litres). If you want more than a pair of Angelfish, some tankmates, and room for possible fry you will need a tank far larger than this.
What’s The Best Tank Layout For Angelfish?
Freshwater Angelfish originate in the Amazon River Basin in South America. Which means that their native habitat is mainly in slow flowing rivers and lakes. Light levels are generally low due to overhanging trees and abundant plant growth which all create shade. And in the water itself you will find plants, leaf debris and wood that’s fallen in from the trees. The river/lake bed can be sandy/silty/muddy with pebbles and rocks.
The Angelfish’s native habitat gives us a good idea of what tank setup is going to be best for them.
I know that keeping fish in any tank setup isn’t going to be the same as their native environment. No matter how much you try to replicate it. However, most of the fish we buy from Pet Stores/Aquatic Dealers have been captive bred for many generations and are generally adapted to aquarium life already.
But that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t do our best to make their lives as comfortable as possible. If the fish are happier they’re less likely to suffer from stress and stress related illnesses.
And creating a tank that mimics the Angelfish’s native home is not only better for your fish but it looks attractive too.
A Good Tank Layout For Angelfish Includes:
- Plants – Having planted areas in your tank is great for your Angelfish. You can use both stem and epiphyte plants. And a combination of both is even better (there’s more information about plants/types both live and fake in the next section).
- Rocks/Pebbles – (Amazon link) You can use these to create a more natural look to the bottom of your aquarium. Rocky areas can also be used to create defendable areas in the tank for when your Angelfish breed.
- Leaf Debris – Helps to create a more natural look to the tank. Catappa Leaves – aka Indian Almond Leaves (Amazon link) are a good choice because they release natural tannins into the water and look decorative. They also provide a source of food for some fish species, shrimp and snails. You can use other types of leaves too such as Oak Leaves.
- Substrate – Sand/Coarse Sand (Amazon link) or Fine Gravel work well in an Angelfish tank. Angelfish like to dig so it’s best not to use sharp or chunky substrate.
You can also add pieces of Wood/Twigs (Amazon link) and Alder Cones to create a more natural ‘bottom of the river/lake debris’ look.
Tip: Make sure that any Wood/Twigs, leaves and/or Alder Cones etc are aquarium safe. This is particularly important if you forage for them yourself. Any natural tank debris needs to be pest and pesticide free or you risk poisoning your fish.
Even if you’re trying to create a more natural feel to your Angelfish tank it doesn’t mean that you can’t include other tank decorations too. You can add other things that you would like to see in your tank to make it look the way you want it to. Your Angelfish are unlikely to mind about your taste in aquarium decorations, particularly if they have been aquarium bred.
Do Angelfish Need A Planted Tank?
Angelfish do better in a planted tank. Not only do plants create a more natural environment they serve other purposes too. Plants make great places for your Angelfish to spawn in. And wide leaved plants in particular are useful for them to deposit their eggs on. Plants also provide safer areas for the fry to hide in while they grow. Plus, live plants help to keep the tank water clean because they naturally filter the water by taking in the nutrients they need to thrive.
If you’re not sure which live plants are best for your Angelfish I’ve got some suggestions for you.
Easy-Care Plants For A Freshwater Angelfish Tank
- Amazon Sword – Long narrow leaved plant (needs planting in the substrate)
- Java Fern – Wide leaved bushy plant (can be planted but best attached to wood/rocks etc)
- Anubias – Large leaved slow growing plant (plant in substrate or attach to wood/rocks etc)
- Hornwort – Feathery plant (can be planted, floated or attached to wood/rocks etc)
- Water Sprite – Fine leaved, bushy/dense slow growing plant (plant, attach or float)
- Jungle Vallisneria – Tall grass-like plant (plant in the substrate)
- Java Moss and Christmas Moss – Feathery mosses (attach to wood/rocks etc)
There are a lot more easy-care aquarium plants that you can use in your Angelfish tank. Guppy Grass (carpeting), Water Wisteria (planted) and Anacharis (planted) are just a few of the options you can choose from. But the plants on the list above will give you a good starting point.
Check the plants out Online or at your local Pet Store or Aquatic Dealer. Then choose the plants that you want to keep in your aquarium to get the look you’re aiming for.
Tip: Some Angelfish keepers avoid floating plants because they believe that they make the fish feel closed in. Other Angelfish keepers are happy to use floating plants and don’t experience any problems with their fish. So when it comes to floating plants for your own Angelfish it might be trial and error to begin with.
Artificial/Fake Plants
I know that not every fish keeper wants to keep live plants. The good news is that you don’t have to keep live plants in your Angelfish tank. You can use artificial/fake ones if you prefer. But it’s important to choose ones that have soft leaves and no sharp edges to reduce the risk of injuring your fish. You also need to bear in mind that you won’t get the natural ‘filtering’ benefits that live plants provide. Nonetheless, your Angelfish won’t mind that the plants aren’t real as long as they have densely planted areas.
If, over time, you decide to try some live plants in your tank the list and suggestions above will give you a good place to start.
Tip: When choosing a filter for your tank make sure it can cope with both the tank’s water capacity and the number of fish you are keeping. Some types of fish are messier than others, so remember to take that into account too.
Do Angelfish Need A Filter?
Angelfish need a filtered tank to keep the water clean and oxygenated. The filtration needs to be gentle though because Angelfish can’t swim in a fast current. Slow flow that gently moves and oxygenates the water is enough alongside your regular tank maintenance.
One filter option for an Angelfish tank is to use a Sponge Filter (article link) run by an Adjustable Air Pump (Amazon link). The bubbles created by a sponge filter go upwards to the water’s surface which helps to keep the flow gentle. And if you use an adjustable air pump you can control the flow to suit your fish’s needs.
Other filter options include:
Internal Box Filter – This type of filter hangs or ‘suckers’ onto the inside of your tank. Often with the water return part above the water level creating a waterfall effect. But the way the water is returned will depend on the type of internal box filter you buy. Some are completely submerged which means you can’t see the filtered water being returned to the tank. Internal box filters can come with replaceable filter cartridges or a simple sponge insert. This type of filter is often included as part of a tank starter kit but can be bought separately.
HOB (hang-on-the-back-filter) – Just as it sounds this type of filter hangs on the back of the tank. The box part is on the outside of the tank and the intake tube sits in the water. The box part is filled with filter media of all kinds which you can change to suit the needs of your fish. The filtered water is returned to the tank via a lip/spout creating a waterfall effect.
Tip: Internal Box Filters and HOB filters can create a moderate to fast flow. So if you’re using them in an Angelfish tank you need to buy ones that are adjustable, or ones that can be adapted to slow the flow.
I came across this YouTube video by Mindy H. about how to slow down a HOB/over-the-top filter. It’s a simple but effective idea for slowing the flow. I’ve added the YouTube link below.
Do Angelfish Need A Tank Light?
Angelfish need regular periods of light and dark in their tank. This helps to mark the difference between day and night time. The easiest way to achieve this is to install a tank light. Although Angelfish like a decent amount of light during daytime hours the light doesn’t need to be super bright. And the light needs to be turned of at night to allow them to rest. About 8-12 hours of light a day is usually enough for both the fish and your easy-care plants.
Do Angelfish Need A Heated Tank?
The ideal temperature range for freshwater Angelfish is between 24-29 Degrees Celsius (75-84 Fahrenheit). So, unless you live in a tropical climate, you will need a heater for your Angelfish tank. A tank heater also keeps the water temperature stable which is better for your Angelfish.
Tip: An easy way to check on your tank’s water temperature is to add a aquarium thermometer. They’re cheap to buy and are a simple and useful tool for checking that your tank heater is running efficiently.
What Kind Of Water Is Best For Angelfish?
Captive bred/raised Angelfish are adaptable when it comes to water parameters. And the vast majority of the Angelfish for sale fall into this category. Buying your Angelfish from a local supplier is a good idea as the fish will have been born and raised in a similar water conditions to your own tap water. Wild caught Angelfish are a rarity in the aquarium hobby and will need water parameters to be as close to their native habitat as possible for them to survive.
Tip: When you set up your Angelfish tank, and on all water changes, the water should be dechlorinated using a reputable water treatment product. These products not only eliminate Chlorine and Chloramines they also get rid of any heavy metals that might harm your fish.
Two Tap Water Treatments that are popular with fish keepers are Prime by Seachem and API Tap Water Conditioner (Amazon links) but there are other tap water treatments/conditioners available too.
Tankmates For Angelfish
The best tankmates for Angelfish are ones that are able to stand up for themselves. Although generally peaceful, Angelfish can become territorial and aggressive when breeding and protecting their eggs/fry. So their tankmates need to be able to fight back and protect themselves if needed. And it’s no good if their tankmates are small enough for the Angelfish to eat either.
Here’s Some Of The Fish That Make Good Tankmates For Angelfish
- Dwarf Gourami (various)
- Corydoras Catfish (various)
- Rummy Nose Tetra
- Discus
- Bolivian Ram
- Platys (all varieties)
- Mollies (all varieties)
- Pleco
- Cichlids (various)
- Boesemani Rainbow Fish
- Zebra Loach
There are a lot more possible tankmates for your Angelfish but it’s important to avoid fin-nipping or overly aggressive fish. Nano fish are also not advisable because your Angelfish will simply eat them. If you’re not sure if a particular fish can live happily with your Angelfish it’s best to check before you buy.
Can I Add Angelfish To An Established Community Aquarium?
It is possible to add Angelfish to an established community tank. Whether it’s advisable or not will depend on what fish you already have living in the tank. As I mentioned earlier Angelfish can become aggressive towards other fish when breeding. And other fish can be aggressive towards Angelfish with their long fins and slow movement.
So if you want to add Angelfish to your established community tank you need to consider whether the fish you already have will be compatible with Angelfish. If the answer is ‘yes’, and the tank is large enough, then you’re good to go. If you’re not sure speak to your local Pet Store or Aquatic Dealer before adding Angelfish.
Tip: It’s not advisable to keep shrimp or snails in an Angelfish tank because your Angelfish are likely to eat them.
The Takeaway
I realise that in this article I’ve given you a lot of information about the Best Tank Setup For Freshwater Angelfish. So I thought it was a good idea to create a simple list of the main points that I’ve covered.
Here’s The Takeaway
- Buy a tank that’s big enough for the number of Angelfish you want to keep when they are full grown. Have enough room for fry, tankmates and plants too.
- Use plenty of plants either live and/or fake in the tank.
- Include pebbles/rocks, leaf debris and/or wood, and a fine substrate, to create a more natural feel to the tank. Use rocks and plants to create defendable areas for breeding.
- Filter the tank with a slow/gentle flow.
- Tank lighting should be at a medium level for about 8-12 hours a day.
- Install a tank heater and keep the temperature between Approx. 24-29 Degrees Celsius (75-84 Fahrenheit).
- Water quality should be clean, oxygenated, and free from a build up of toxins.
- Tankmates need to be non-fin-nipping, of a decent size so that they’re not eaten, able to defend themselves and good community fish.
