Angelfish Tankmates With the Best Compatibility

There are some key characteristics which we need to consider when purchasing fish for an aquarium. Fundamental is whether they are marine or freshwater fish. Size is also very important. Few of us have the space to keep a 10 ft sturgeon at home. When considering what fish make the best angelfish tankmates, we need to consider fish that contrast well with their needs. This includes the physical environment as well as individual temperament.

Some of the main considerations we need to take into account when choosing fish to live with angelfish include:

• Aggression: although angelfish can be defensive and mildly aggressive themselves, they will not live well with very aggressive fish.
• Swimming speed: angelfish are generally calm, so we do not want fish which are hyperactive or very fast since they can bother the angelfish.
• Temperature: since they are native to the warm waters of the Amazon basin, they need to live in an aquarium which replicates a similar habitat. This means they should be suited to a range of about 72.5-82.4ºF (24-28ºC).
• Acidity: angelfish need slightly acidic waters, so they should have a pH of around 6.5-7.5.
• Fin nippers: angelfish have very distinct fins which are long and thin. Some fish are known for being fin nippers, meaning they will take little bites of the fins of other fish. Angelfish are perfect for this kind of behavior, so fin nippers need to be avoided.
• Dwelling space: angelfish are middle-dwellers in aquariums. If you have other fish which could be competitive with them, it is best they are bottom dwellers since they can avoid our angelfish.

Of course, any fish which would be a predator for the angelfish needs to be avoided at all costs. An example is the red-bellied piranha (Pygocentrus nattereri) which would have no problem killing and devouring your angelfish.

If you want to discover tanks mates for other species, check out our guide to fish compatible with guppies.

Neon tetras (Paracheirodon innesi) are small schooling fish with a very peaceful temperament. Also originating in South America, these fish are known for their striking neon blue stripe and red tail. They prefer slightly acidic (pH 6.0-7.0) and soft waters with temperatures between 71.6-78.8ºF (22-26ºC).

Their calm nature and small size make them ideal for living with angelfish in large aquariums (minimum 100 liters). It is important to keep them in groups of at least 10 individuals so that they feel safe and display their natural schooling behavior. Caution should be exercised because neon tetras can be seen as prey by young or aggressive angelfish, especially if the aquarium is small or lacks hiding places.

Cardinal tetras (Paracheirodon axelrodi) are similar to neon tetras in appearance and behavior, but are distinguished by having a more prominent red stripe that runs the length of their body. We provide photos above and below for comparison. They are slightly larger and tend to be less nervous, making them hardier in a community aquarium. They prefer warm waters of 72.5-82.4ºF (24-28ºC) and slightly acidic waters, conditions that match angelfish preferences.

Like neon tetras, cardinal tetras should be kept in groups of at least 8-10 individuals to reduce stress and encourage natural behavior. They are also more disease resistant than neon tetras, making them a more durable choice for community tanks.

Learn more about how fish can live more harmoniously with our guide to the reasons why fish chase each other.

Corydoras (Corydoras spp.) are another species of peaceful aquarium fish. They are social bottom feeders that complement angelfish perfectly. Originally from South America, they clean the tank by feeding on leftover food and detritus which sinks to the bottom, helping to maintain tank hygiene.

All types of corydoras prefer soft substrates and slightly acidic to neutral water (pH 6.5-7.5). They are ideal for community tanks, as they do not compete for space with angelfish. This is because angelfish inhabit the middle area of the tank. Keep them in groups of at least 6 individuals to keep them comfortable. Some of the recommended angelfish-compatible corydoras fish species may include:

• Bronze croydoras (Corydoras aeneus)
• Blue leopard corydoras (Corydoras paleatus)
• Sterba's corydoras (Corydoras sterbai)

You can see photos below and you can discover other types of bottom feeders with our guide to the best clean-up animals for your aquarium.

As we have seen, so far the best tanks mates for angelfish have been fellow South American species. Dwarf gouramis (Trichogaster lalius) are native to Asia in Pakistan, India and Bangladesh, although they now have a wider distribution. These colorful fish also inhabit the middle waters of an aquarium, but their peaceful temperament means they still have angelfish compatibility.

They prefer slightly warmer water 72.5-82.4ºF (24-28ºC) that is slightly acidic to neutral (pH 6.0-7.5). They are compatible with angelfish as long as the aquarium has sufficient vegetation and hiding places, since they can be shy. It is advisable to avoid mixing dwarf gouramis with aggressive or territorial angelfish, especially during the breeding season.

You can see a brightly colored gourami in the photo below with scales that appear to be glowing. Although they reflect light beautifully, they are not a true type of bioluminescent fish which tend to be marine animals.

Mexican mollies (Poecilia sphenops) are hardy and peaceful fish that can adapt to a wide range of water conditions. Originating from Central America, these fish are known for their variety of colors and shapes. They prefer slightly alkaline (pH 7.5-8.5) and hard water, which may require adjustments to the aquarium if angelfish and mollies are kept together. In large aquariums (minimum 150 liters), both species can coexist peacefully.

Mollies are active and swim in the middle and upper areas of the tank, complementing the behavior of angelfish. Some of other varieties of molly which make good angelfish tankmates include the black molly, the Dalmatian molly and the veiled molly.

Discus (Symphysodon spp.) are South American cichlids that share many similarities with angelfish, including their water preferences (warm, acidic and soft). This makes them great angelfish tankmates. They are calm and majestic fish that can live with angelfish in large aquariums (minimum 200 liters). Both fish prefer warm waters of 82.4-86ºF (28-30°C) that are also slightly acidic waters (pH 6.0-7.0). Discus fish require more specialized care, so they are only recommended for experienced individuals.

Learn about other types of freshwater fish in our related guide.

The ram cichlid (Mikrogeophagus ramirezi) is also known as the Ramirezi, blue dam and, simply, dam, among other common names. It is a small but hardy fish that can be kept with angelfish in a community tank. Also originally from South America, this fish is known for its peaceful behavior and bright colors. Some colorful morphs can be seen in the photo below, but breeding has led to many different morph variations of this species.

Rams prefer warm water of 78.8ºF-86ºF (26-30ºC) that is slightly acidic (pH 6.0-7.0), conditions that match those of angelfish. They are ideal for medium-to-large aquariums (minimum 100 liters) and should be kept in pairs to reduce stress. In addition, it is advisable to provide enough hiding places and vegetation for the ram cichlid to feel safe.

Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia spp.) are active, colorful mid-range fish. Native to Australia and New Guinea, these fish are known for their peaceful behavior and preference for slightly alkaline (pH 7.0-8.0) and hard water. Although their water requirements do not completely match those of angelfish, they can coexist in large aquariums (minimum 150 liters) with balanced parameters.

Keep them in groups of at least 6 individuals so that they feel comfortable. The best tankmates for angelfish in this genus are:

• Boeseman's rainbowfish (Melanotaenia boesemani)
• Dwarf rainbow fish (Melanotaenia praecox)

You can see a photo of the Boseman's rainbow fish below, as well as the blue leopard corydoras:

Also known as the tiger botia, the clown loach (Chromobotia macracanthus) has very distinctive scale markings which make them a striking addition to any tank. Originally from Indonesia, clown loaches are known for their social behavior and ability to control snail populations. They prefer warm waters of 72.5-86ºF (24-30°C) that are slightly acidic to neutral (pH 6.0-7.5).

Keep them in groups of at least 5 individuals so that they feel safe and display their natural behavior. A curious fact is that clown loaches can make audible sounds when they interact with each other or feel stressed. It is an audible clicking sound which can be heard outside the glass of the tank. You can see a fine example of the tiger markings in the photo below, but sometimes they can be paler in hue.

Also know as the common pleco, the suckermouth catfish (Hypostomus plecostomus) is a bottom-feeding fish that feeds on algae and leftover food. Originally from South America, these fish are known for their ability to clean the aquarium.

Suckermouth catfish are compatible with angelfish as long as the aquarium is large enough (minimum 150 liters) and has enough hiding places and suitable substrate. A similar catfish which make good angelfish tank mates include the bushynose catfish (Ancistrus spp.).

While it will depend on the individual species, ensuring a long lifespan in a fish tank can be tricky. You can learn more with our article asking how long to aquarium fish live?

In addition to the best tankmates for angelfish we have shared above, here are some more options to choose from:

• Rummy nose tetra (Hemigrammus rhodostomus)
• Black skirt tetra (Gymnocorymbus ternetzi)
• Cherry barb (Puntius titteya)
• Platies (Xiphophorus maculatus)
• Swordtails (Xiphophorus hellerii)
• Bolivian ram (Mikrogeophagus altispinosus)
• Yo-yo loach (Botia almorhae)
• Threadfin rainbowfish (Iriatherina werneri)
• Glass catfish (Kryptopterus vitreolus)
• Hatchetfish (Gasteropelecus sternicla)
• Dwarf chain loach (Ambastaia sidthimunki)
• Keyhole cichlid (Cleithracara maronii)

To learn more about the great diversity of aquatic animals, read our related guide asking do all fish have scales?

If you want to read similar articles to Angelfish Tankmates With the Best Compatibility, we recommend you visit our Basic care category.