Angelfish/Silver Dollars in 29 gallon

Question
QUESTION: Hello Ron, I once wrote to FishDeeva re: Angelfish in a 29 gallon and she stated it would be fine.  The trouble is someone who takes care of their tank vs. someone who leaves it for a month.

I took that as gospel and have 3 Angelfish, one silver dollar sized (I guess) and 2 quarter sized - body.

I 'rescued' ONE Silver Dollar fish today who is only quarter sized and he has 1 eye.  I put him in with the 3 Angels.  Can these fish live in a 29 gallon?  There are silk plants in there, a couple of hiding areas too (cave).  

I've read Silver Dollars need to be in schools but like I said this was a rescue and I can't afford a huge tank.

Thanks
Paula

ANSWER: Paula,     This really depends on the angel's they can have attitude with new tank mate's. It is better to add them within weeks of each other. All you can do is see. I would not put a school of dollars in there. I will tell you this a 29 gallon tank is not big enough for three angel's. I would go and get at least a 45. These fish in good quality water can give you joy for years and as they start to go it is hard to put anyone else in there with them they get more territorial as the other tank mate's die off. It is just the way they are. I have heard it a million time's . I have an angel she is the last one and 8 yrs old and kills everything I try to put in. It IS the way they are so you are going to have these guy's for awhile make sure they are comfortable. Buy it a piece at a time they are still young but you want them to flourish. I hope your dollar is well. Good Luck, Tina

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello Tina and thanks for answering!  I actually forgot I wrote this.
Since then I have just purchased another 75 gallon tank (my other has African Cichlids) and I'm very happy.

In the 29 gallon still are actually 2 Angels, one is small, other is small-med. size and they get along great so far.  I had added 3 more Dollars to the 1 rescue having 4 now and everyone is fine.  Dollars are still small tho' too.

Since you did write me, can I ask now with the 75 gallon, I got it for these fish I just mentioned and of course 'inch' wise, I know I could put a few more fish in there, so what would be compatible?

I realize about the cycling and I have SO MANY tanks incl. a 150 gallon indoor pond with tons of excess gravel I'm going to use plus filter material inside of other filters running on various tanks.

Tanks a lot!! LOL
Paula

Answer
Paula,  I am so happy to hear about your new tank. So I am assuming it has been set up for a few week's now. I would add slowly since your tank is still cycling (establishing). You can add some color like maybe powder blue or gold gourami's (stay with the large gourami's not the dwarf's)or cherry barbs for some red (they are small but quick and schoolers) so get 3 or 4. You can go with tiger barbs too but they are fin nipper's and you have angel's and you don't know how they are going to be. Do not add danio's even if they tell you that you can . They are too busy for your angels. You could put a rainbow shark, the most beautiful and not bothersome except they are jumpers peacock eel's, cory catfish, otocinclus cats a few of them, You can add plecos but, they will grow large in your tank and just leave trails of poop everywhere.....lol clown loach, khuli loach. I am trying to think of the common fish they carry at the shops that would be nice give you color and calm. If you do put clown loach's' in definitely add some caves. They like them. You can go with most semi-aggressive but, I am estimating room for growth and some of the semi's get large such as iridescent sharks and leporanis. They look very nice but, in the end they will be a problem trust me. If you see a fish you like and aren't sure I am right here...lol That one inch per gallon rule.....if you are adding fish for different levels where they swim that rule does not matter really. For instance you have your bottom feeders, middle swimmer's and your angles love to hang at the top and middle. It is a very addictive hobby !!!!!! 150 gallon planted tank ..... this is like a freshwater reef system. I am going to send you some info on it. You are going to need info on disinfecting your plants and what soils not to use. You do not want a planted tank full of parasitic snails or worms. This is something you want to stop before it happens for sure.  Good luck, Tina

http://www.aquajake.com/blog/planting-the-tank/preparing-a-plant-for-planting/di

http://www.plantedtank.net/articles/Basics-to-starting-a-Planted-Tank/4/