Angelfish are among the most popular aquarium fish. They are great for home or office aquariums and are popular due to their long, majestic fins, energetic personalities, and ease of breeding.
“How to Take Care of Angelfish” — This article is intended to cover the basics of angelfish care from my real-life experience with angelfish. Although I am writing this to provide a guide for beginners, I hope that anyone can read it and increase their level of experience.
Use Equipment and Care:
This article is intended to thoroughly cover angelfish care issues from my practical experience of keeping angelfish. Although I am writing this to provide a guide for beginners, hopefully, anyone can read it and increase their experience level.
Filter Use
Choose a filter system that can properly handle the size of your tank and maintain the cleanliness of the water. To choose the right filter for your tank, you can talk to any shop that sells aquarium filters.
I use a mechanical filter for my aquarium, which I run 6-8 hours a day. A filter not only removes impurities but also helps oxygenate the water. The filter should also be cleaned regularly. Change the algon and activated carbon in the filter every month to keep it working properly.
Heater Use
Check if the heater is sufficient to control the temperature of the aquarium water. You have to select the heater according to how many gallons of water are in the aquarium.
My aquarium is 50 gallons, so I selected a 200-watt heater. A reliable heater will ensure a consistent and suitable temperature for your fish.
Use of Air Pumps and Air Stones
Providing oxygenation is essential for fish health. An air pump and air stone create water movement and increase oxygen levels in the tank.
Tank Care
In my personal opinion, the smallest tank should be a 50-gallon tank, at least 18-19 inches in height. Because angelfish are very tall (up to 10 inches), a tank of this size can accommodate four or five fish. However, if you want to add more fish, consider an additional 10 gallons of water for each fish. This worked well in most cases. But as they grow, if a pair is formed, the other angelfish have to be removed.
Light
Angelfish and plants need 10-12 hours of light a day to stay healthy. If your room does not meet the lighting requirements for angelfish, equip the fish tank with an aquarium LED light for 8 to 12 hours per day. Since I have 4-5 hours of light in my room, I equip the fish tank with 3-4 hours of LED light.
Thermometer
Use a thermometer to check if the water temperature is stable so that it does not fluctuate more than +/-2 degrees over a 24-hour period. Monitoring the temperature of my tank is important because the health of the fish depends on the water temperature.
Water Quality Control for Angelfish:
Like other fish, angelfish need the right water parameters to survive. Maintaining proper water conditions is critical to fish health by doing regular water changes and monitoring pH, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels.
Testing Water Parameters: A reliable water test kit is used to monitor ammonia, nitrate, and pH levels. This helps me identify any problems and take necessary measures to maintain balanced water conditions.
Water Changes: I do 15% to 25% water changes every week and treat the water with a water conditioner before refilling the tank to make sure there are no water problems.
Temperature: Angelfish prefer slightly warmer water, ranging from 78° to 84°F (26° – 29°C). Use a reliable heater and thermometer to maintain a consistent temperature so that the right temperature is given to the angelfish.
Regular Cleaning: Remove any debris, uneaten food, or waste from the tank without disturbing the fish because uneaten food and waste will sink to the bottom, creating additional waste and attracting rotting bacteria, which is bad for water chemistry and fish.
pH Level: Angelfish thrive in slightly acidic to neutral water conditions with a pH range of 6.5 to 7.5. So I try to maintain a pH range of 6.5 to 7.5; if it is lower or higher, I take appropriate treatment if necessary.
Ammonia and Nitrite: Ammonia and nitrite are very harmful to angelfish, so keep ammonia and nitrite at 0 ppm. To keep ammonia and nitrite at 0, I remove uneaten fish food and tank plant leaves from the tank because uneaten food will sink to the bottom, creating extra waste, and rotting creates ammonia. My tank does not produce nitrites with live plants.
Water Hardness: Angelfish prefer water with moderate hardness, 5 to 13 dGH (dissolved salts) for optimum conditions.
Nitrate: Keep nitrate levels below 20 ppm.
Decorations:
Angelfish like to live in a lot of vegetation and fine substrate. They like to hide in the caves of plants. If you plan to keep multiple angelfish, include caves, rocks, and other hollow decorations for your angelfish to use as hiding places and territorial spots within the tank.
Plants
Live or artificial plants provide hiding places and recreation areas for fish, and live plants help maintain water quality by absorbing nitrates. To care for these beautiful fish, I have added Java Fern and Java Moss plants, which absorb toxic gases and waste compounds produced in the tank and help my aquarium look more beautiful and natural.
Java fern and Java moss are easy to care for and do well in most freshwater aquariums. I avoid using floating plants because they block the light and crowd the tank. If you are more adept at keeping aquatic plants, you can add plants like Amazon Sword and Anacharis to give your angelfish a natural habitat.
Caves, Rocks, and Other Hollow Decorations
Incorporating caves, rocks, and other hollow decorations into the tank helps fish use them as hiding places and territorial spots, making them feel safe and reducing stress. Additionally, adding caves, rocks, and other hollow decorations will increase the beauty of the aquarium.
Substrate
The substrate in the tank should be a fine to medium grade of smooth-surfaced gravel that will not damage the delicate fins of the angelfish as they glide.
Algae Control
Control algae growth by maintaining proper light periods and avoiding excessive nutrient levels in the tank. You can introduce algae-eating fish or use algae control products if necessary.
Angelfish Feeding:
Angelfish are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and small aquatic organisms. Their diet should contain a balanced mix of protein-rich foods and plant matter. So I chose vegetables like spinach, peas, and lettuce, along with bloodworms, brine shrimp, white worms, crustaceans, and small insects.
I feed them 6 days a week, two to three times a day, as much as the fish can eat in 2 to 3 minutes. Fasting on Sunday once a week helps promote full digestion and prevents constipation. Before feeding the dry food, I soak it in water for about 15-20 minutes to allow it to expand, then feed it to my angelfish in chunks or pieces that they can easily digest.
If you keep an angelfish in the office, you can feed it five days per week. Fasting for two days a week will not harm the fish. It takes about two weeks for angelfish to starve to death, so don’t panic if your fish doesn’t eat for a few days due to illness or adjusting to its new home.
Health and Disease Prevention:
Ensuring the health of fish requires careful monitoring and proactive measures to prevent disease. Regular veterinary check-ups are very important to assess the overall health of the fish. A veterinarian who specializes in fish care can conduct thorough examinations to identify any underlying health problems and provide appropriate treatment.
There are several common freshwater diseases that affect angelfish in captivity:
Ich:
Ich, or white spot disease, is caused by stress, usually resulting from poor tank conditions. It causes small white spots on the body or fins of the fish, causing the fins to clamp, excessive flashing, and itching. Ich also causes lethargy and lack of appetite. Treat Ich by quarantining affected fish in a separate tank.
Raise the water temperature a few degrees to speed up the protozoan lifespan and add a teaspoon of salt per gallon of water in the tank. Read More
Dropsy:
Dropsy is a symptom of an underlying bacterial infection. It causes swelling of the soft tissue in the fish’s body cavity and can occur if the fish’s immune system is compromised. The disease is caused by the accumulation of fluid in the fish, and depending on the cause of kidney and gill malfunction, you may see different physical symptoms such as a bloated appearance, scales that protrude from the body, bulging eyes, rapid breathing, lethargy, and decreased appetite.
Treat dropsy with an antibacterial medication recommended by your veterinarian and add ⅛ teaspoon of Epsom salt to every five gallons of water. Read More
Fin Rot:
Fin rot disease usually occurs in freshwater aquariums when the water quality is poor. A common culprit is bacteria like Pseudomonas, Aeromonas, or Flavobacterium columnare. Fin rot disease occurs when the immune system is weakened. Symptoms include fin rot and tearing milky fins, and difficulty swimming. Treat fin rot by cleaning the tank and doing 20-50% water changes for at least two weeks. Talk to your vet about using antibiotic treatment. Read More
FAQ
Can angelfish live with guppies?
Although angelfish are small, they can be kept with guppies with caution.
How fast does angelfish grow?
The growth rate of freshwater angelfish depends on the size of the aquarium and the food. Generally, it may take a year for them to reach full size.
Can angelfish live alone?
A freshwater angelfish is capable of living alone but prefers to live in pairs.
- If you want to know more, you can tell me in the comments
Angelfish are captivating with their bold colors and majestic fins, making them a favorite in both aquariums and the wild. Their beauty and unique behaviors are truly remarkable.