angelfish behavior

Question
Thank You Karen. I just wanted to make sure it is normal. I was told at a pet store that it is ok as long as one is not being torn up or made to stop eating. But I just wanted to be sure. Eventually I would like to step up to a 34 gallon corner tank. Possibly giving them more room as they get bigger might help? Thanks again, Elkim
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Followup To

Question -
Hello Karen,
26 gallon tank. 3 angels, 3 black neons, 2 cherry barbs. Is it normal behavior for the angelfish to chase eachother and sort of peck at eachother? I wonder if my fish were too big when I got them? Would it be better to start out with 3 very tiny angles in hopes that they would get along better?

Answer -
Dear Elkim,
I'm sorry to say, that this is normal angelfish bickering and fussing. I suppose it is part of their cichlid nature and they have a tendancy to establish territories as well. Also, I have had experience of raising tiny angelfish together and when they were just about full-grown, they still behaved in this way. It's just normal. The one thing you want to look for is to be sure that no angelfish is being made miserable or having his fins torn up by the other Angelfish. If this happens. Sometimes you can remove the more timid Angelfish and things settle down once more with only minimal aggression.

Best of luck with your Angelfish!
I have found that a single Angelfish does extremely well by himself with other peaceful tankmates. If you just don't like the fighting, then just know that Angelfish do fine alone and seem very happy to have an aquarium of their own with other non-angelfish tankmates.

Best wishes,
Karen~

Answer
Dear Elkim,
A bigger aquarium is always a great idea! ;-)

But unfortunately, I have to say in my own experience that I have raised 4 quarter sized Angelfish together in a 55gal aquarium and raised them into very lovely grown fish and they still pester each-other despite everything.

But the pestering isn't brutal and I believe that's whats important to pay attention to. And it could only be that it's just a pecking order as well. Just like a flock of hens will constantly remind each-other who is the boss. :-)

Feel free to write with anymore concerns! You're welcome!
Karen~