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Angelfish/Swordfish/Kissing Gourami!

23 15:26:08

Question
Hello!
I have two tanks currently.
A small 10gallon that has a Kissing Gourami, quite a few swordtails (babies, ugh, the problem is fixed and I'm slowly getting the number of babies down as I give them away to friends)and a 20gallon that has three angelfish (I plan on getting a larger when as they eventually grow, gotta save some money!), a Rainbow Shark, a Gold Dojo Loach and your average algae eater.
My problem:
Two of my Angelfish are picking on the third, HARD. They nip and chase him and it just looks miserable. His fins have been nipped down pretty far and he seems to have a little trouble swimming. I've read that Angelfish are great with Gourami's and Swordtails, the problem is that the younger Swordtails act like a giant mob and destroy most anything in their path, it seems. They leave each other alone, but if anything else gets introduced into the tank it seems to get eaten and destroyed instantly. I don't want to lose this third Angelfish, he's beautiful and seems almost cheery. I'd like to put him into the smaller tank for now, just so he can grow and maybe get some size and I'd like to see how he does. I'm not sure how safe he'll be against the mob of young Swordtails.
Is it a good idea to put him into the smaller tank to see if he'll thrive and grow and someday be able to hold his own? I hate to watch him slowly get picked to death in the larger tank and it seems so sad to have to sit by and wait for him to die.

Answer
Hi Lacey,
You already have planned what I would recommend as the best thing for your angel. Moving him into his own aquarium. Your best bet is to try and see how it works out. If he stays in the main aquarium he'll surely become ill from the stress of constantly being picked on and nipped.

Its unfortunate how angelfish will decide to bully just one or two members of their group. They may be trying to establish territories or compete for mates or food. I usually have great sucess separating the weakling out and with some good food and clean water, fins will heal and grow and he may eventually catch up to the others before you know it.

Hopefuly the swordtail mob will coexist--allow for some curiousness- with the angel. Try distracting the swords with food when you introduce the angelfish to help things along.
I do hope all goes well and best of luck!
Susan~