Pet Information > ASK Experts > Pet Fish > Freshwater Aquarium > school?

school?

23 16:40:43

Question
QUESTION: I got 3 angel fish for my aquarium, 1 bigger one and 2 smaller ones.  The two smaller ones are of different species, and they seem to stay together al of the time.  they also seem to follow the big one around. It is their first day, but will they always do that?  is that a sign or something?

Thanks,
Hardy

ANSWER: As the angels get larger, they will become territorial.  I wouldn't house more than 2 angels in a tank without dividers. How big is your tank?  i would keep a close eye out, because if two of them pair off, they will badger and kill the odd fish out.

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

QUESTION: well, none of them are very big. i bought them at the pet store and they said they will grow bigger.  they all have nipped at eachother once or twice, but i don't think it's anything to worry about.  and also, the big one never eats when i feed them. the other two completely love their food, they eat everything. i've even put food right infront of the big one, and he doesn't eat it. please give me a hint or something.

Thanks,
Hardy
ANSWER: How big is your tank?  How long have you had the fish?  It is very unusual for an angel fish not to eat well.  They are usually bottomless pits.  What do you feed them?  How often do you feed?  How often do you change the tank water?  How long has the tank been set up?  I really need to know these things before I can help you.

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

QUESTION: The tank is 25 US gallons.  I've had them for 3 days, I feed them New Life Spectrum Small Fish Formula because the pet store was out of the food for bigger fish.  They  are fed twice a day, and the tank water is changed twice a week.  When the pet store gets the bigger fish food, I will certainly buy it.  Is there any chance he could be eating it off of the bottom?
ANSWER: I have 2 angels, and i feed them the new life spectrum small fish formula, and they love it and are thriving on it.  The bigger food is too hard for them to eat...One problem you are going to have is the smallness of your tank. You can fit one pair of angels in a 25...if you are lucky...any more than two is asking for trouble.  Do you have other fish in the tank?  How long has the tank itself been set up?  Has it been cycled?

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

QUESTION: no, no other fish.  the tank has been set up for about 2 weeks, and i did fishless cycling in it.  ammonia levels are at 0ppm, and the ph is perfect for angels.
ANSWER: I would suggest heavily planting it to allow for the fish to avoid each other and to set up territories.  also possibly add some larger tetras in order to give them something to focus on other than each other.

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

QUESTION: thanks for all your help.  I hear angels like swordplants.  What kind of tetras would yolu reccomend?
ANSWER: my two angels seem to like sword plants...they also like red ludwidia, wisteria, and java fern.  I think black phantom, red phantom, congo, green fire, bloodfin, and blue tetras are good choice.  Anything large enough that can't fit into an adult angel's mouth. Avoid serpae and black/white skirt tetras as they are nippy and will be attracted to the long fins of the angel

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

QUESTION: Thanks so much, your advice has helped phenomenally.  One last question though... my big silver angel fish has become more silvery and lost some of the color in his stripes.  You can still see them, but they are kinda pale.  The odd thing is the little silver's colors have really come out since i brought him home, as have the black lace's.  Is the paler colors a bad sign?

Answer
It sounds to me like your larger silver is sick.  It could be caused by many things.  i would suggest returning that fish ASAP before he/she spreads disease to the rest of your tank.  angels are prone to internal parasite and such, and these things are very contagious.  I would really suggest rehoming this angel to keep the other two safe.  Loss of color is usually due to sickness and / or stress