Tank mates for angelfish

We checked angelfish against all 149 other species in our database for water temperature, pH, size, fin nipping, predation and aggression.

Good tank mates for angelfish include nerite snail, bristlenose pleco, assassin snail, ramshorn snail, malaysian trumpet snail and mystery snail. Avoid betta fish, cherry shrimp and common goldfish: betta fish tends to attack colourful, long-finned fish like angelfish, mistaking them for rivals.

Angelfish: 24–29°C (75–84°F), pH 6–7.5, adult size 15 cm (5.9 in), minimum tank 29 gallons (110 L). Full angelfish care guide.

Only show fish that fit my tank

Find a species

Check a full stocking plan

Good Compatible tank mates (38)

Shared water conditions and no known conflict. Still add fish slowly and watch them.

Caution Possible, with care (67)

These can work in the right setup, but there is a real risk. Read the reason first.

Bronze corydoras · 20+ gal
- Angelfish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller bronze corydoras.
Dwarf gourami · 15+ gal
- Dwarf gourami sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of angelfish are an easy target.
Guppy · 10+ gal
- Angelfish may eat guppies, especially young or small ones.
- Angelfish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller guppies.
Oscar · 75+ gal
- Oscar defends its patch of the tank and may chase angelfish, which use the same area.
Panda corydoras · 15+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Angelfish may eat panda corydoras, especially young or small ones.
- Angelfish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller panda corydoras.
Zebra danio · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Angelfish may eat zebra danios, especially young or small ones.
- Angelfish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller zebra danios.
- Zebra danio sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of angelfish are an easy target.
Amano shrimp · 10+ gal
- Angelfish hunts shrimp. Larger amano shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.
Black skirt tetra · 20+ gal
- Angelfish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller black skirt tetras.
- Black skirt tetra sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of angelfish are an easy target.
Blood parrot cichlid · 55+ gal
- Blood parrot cichlid defends its patch of the tank and may chase angelfish, which use the same area.
Cherry barb · 15+ gal
- Angelfish may eat cherry barbs, especially young or small ones.
- Angelfish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller cherry barbs.
Chinese algae eater · 80+ gal
- Chinese algae eater is aggressive. Angelfish can hold their own only in a large tank with plenty of cover.
Clown loach · 180+ gal
- Clown loach sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of angelfish are an easy target.
Convict cichlid · 29+ gal
- Convict cichlid sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of angelfish are an easy target.
Denison barb · 75+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Denison barb sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of angelfish are an easy target.
Discus · 75+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 28–29°C).
Dwarf neon rainbowfish · 20+ gal
- Angelfish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller dwarf neon rainbowfish.
German blue ram · 20+ gal
- Angelfish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller German blue rams.
Ghost shrimp · 10+ gal
- Angelfish hunts shrimp. Larger ghost shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.
Harlequin rasbora · 15+ gal
- Angelfish may eat harlequin rasboras, especially young or small ones.
- Angelfish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller harlequin rasboras.
Hillstream loach · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
- One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
- Angelfish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller hillstream loaches.
Honey gourami · 10+ gal
- Angelfish may eat honey gouramis, especially young or small ones.
- Angelfish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller honey gouramis.
Jack Dempsey · 55+ gal
- Jack Dempsey is aggressive. Angelfish can hold their own only in a large tank with plenty of cover.
Julii corydoras · 20+ gal
- Angelfish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller julii corydoras.
Kribensis · 29+ gal
- Kribensis sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of angelfish are an easy target.
Peppered corydoras · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Angelfish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller peppered corydoras.
Pictus catfish · 75+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
Platy · 15+ gal
- Angelfish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller platies.
Rosy barb · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
- One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
- Rosy barb sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of angelfish are an easy target.
Rummy-nose tetra · 29+ gal
- Angelfish may eat rummy-nose tetras, especially young or small ones.
- Angelfish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller rummy-nose tetras.
Senegal bichir · 90+ gal
- Senegal bichir sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of angelfish are an easy target.
Sterbai corydoras · 20+ gal
- Angelfish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller sterbai corydoras.
Three spot gourami · 29+ gal
- Three spot gourami sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of angelfish are an easy target.
X-ray tetra · 15+ gal
- Angelfish may eat x-ray tetras, especially young or small ones.
- Angelfish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller x-ray tetras.
Yoyo loach · 75+ gal
- Yoyo loach sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of angelfish are an easy target.
Bamboo shrimp · 20+ gal
- Angelfish hunts shrimp. Larger bamboo shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.
Bleeding heart tetra · 29+ gal
- Angelfish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller bleeding heart tetras.
- Bleeding heart tetra sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of angelfish are an easy target.
Bloodfin tetra · 20+ gal
- Angelfish may eat bloodfin tetras, especially young or small ones.
- Angelfish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller bloodfin tetras.
- Bloodfin tetra sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of angelfish are an easy target.
Diamond tetra · 20+ gal
- Angelfish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller diamond tetras.
- Diamond tetra sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of angelfish are an easy target.
Dwarf chain loach · 29+ gal
- Angelfish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller dwarf chain loaches.
- Dwarf chain loach sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of angelfish are an easy target.
Dwarf orange crayfish · 10+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
- One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
- Angelfish may attack small crustaceans like dwarf orange crayfish, especially after they molt.
- Dwarf orange crayfish sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of angelfish are an easy target.
Emperor tetra · 20+ gal
- Angelfish may eat emperor tetras, especially young or small ones.
- Angelfish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller emperor tetras.
Forktail blue-eye · 20+ gal
- Angelfish may eat forktail blue-eyes, especially young or small ones.
- Angelfish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller forktail blue-eyes.
Gardneri killifish · 10+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
Giant danio · 55+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Giant danio sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of angelfish are an easy target.
Glass catfish · 29+ gal
- Angelfish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller glass catfish.
Gold barb · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
- One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
- Angelfish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller gold barbs.
- Gold barb sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of angelfish are an easy target.
Green terror · 80+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
- Green terror is aggressive. Angelfish can hold their own only in a large tank with plenty of cover.
- Green terror defends its patch of the tank and may chase angelfish, which use the same area.
Head and tail light tetra · 20+ gal
- Angelfish may eat head and tail light tetras, especially young or small ones.
- Angelfish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller head and tail light tetras.
Jewel cichlid · 40+ gal
- Jewel cichlid sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of angelfish are an easy target.
- Jewel cichlid defends its patch of the tank and may chase angelfish, which use the same area.
Lemon tetra · 20+ gal
- Angelfish may eat lemon tetras, especially young or small ones.
- Angelfish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller lemon tetras.
Odessa barb · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Angelfish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller odessa barbs.
- Odessa barb sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of angelfish are an easy target.
Panda garra · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
Peacock gudgeon · 15+ gal
- Angelfish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller peacock gudgeons.
Penguin tetra · 20+ gal
- Angelfish may eat penguin tetras, especially young or small ones.
- Angelfish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller penguin tetras.
- Penguin tetra sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of angelfish are an easy target.
Rubber lip pleco · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
Scissortail rasbora · 55+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
Severum · 55+ gal
- Severum defends its patch of the tank and may chase angelfish, which use the same area.
Swordtail · 29+ gal
- Swordtail sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of angelfish are an easy target.
Thai micro crab · 5+ gal
- Angelfish may attack small crustaceans like Thai micro crabs, especially after they molt.
Turquoise rainbowfish · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
Vampire shrimp · 20+ gal
- Angelfish hunts shrimp. Larger vampire shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.
Zebra loach · 29+ gal
- Zebra loach sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of angelfish are an easy target.
Black ruby barb · 20+ gal
- Angelfish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller black ruby barbs.
- Black ruby barb sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of angelfish are an easy target.
Checkerboard barb · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Angelfish may eat checkerboard barbs, especially young or small ones.
- Angelfish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller checkerboard barbs.
Pearl danio · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Angelfish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller pearl danios.
- Pearl danio sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of angelfish are an easy target.
Silvertip tetra · 20+ gal
- Angelfish may eat silvertip tetras, especially young or small ones.
- Angelfish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller silvertip tetras.
- Silvertip tetra sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of angelfish are an easy target.
Variatus platy · 15+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
- Angelfish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller variatus platies.

Avoid Bad tank mates (44)

Betta fish: Betta fish tends to attack colourful, long-finned fish like angelfish, mistaking them for rivals.
Cherry shrimp: Angelfish eats small shrimp like cherry shrimp.
Common goldfish: They need different temperatures: Angelfish 24–29°C (75–84°F), common goldfish 15–22°C (59–72°F).
Fancy goldfish: They need different temperatures: Angelfish 24–29°C (75–84°F), fancy goldfish 18–23°C (64–73°F).
Neon tetra: Angelfish can eat neon tetras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Tiger barb: Tiger barb is a well-known fin nipper and will shred the long fins of angelfish.
African dwarf frog: Angelfish can eat African dwarf frogs.
Cardinal tetra: Angelfish can eat cardinal tetras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Celestial pearl danio: Angelfish can eat celestial pearl danios: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Chili rasbora: Angelfish can eat chili rasboras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Dojo loach: They need different temperatures: Angelfish 24–29°C (75–84°F), dojo loach 18–23°C (64–73°F).
Electric yellow cichlid: Electric yellow cichlid is a Lake Malawi cichlid. It needs a Lake Malawi tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–8.5), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Angelfish don't belong in that setup.
Ember tetra: Angelfish can eat ember tetras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Glowlight tetra: Angelfish can eat glowlight tetras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Otocinclus: Angelfish can eat otocinclus: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Pea puffer: Angelfish can eat pea puffers: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown. Pea puffer is a well-known fin nipper and will shred the long fins of angelfish. Pea puffer is best kept in a species-only tank.
Peacock cichlid: Peacock cichlid is a Lake Malawi cichlid. It needs a Lake Malawi tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–8.5), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Angelfish don't belong in that setup.
Pygmy corydoras: Angelfish can eat pygmy corydoras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Red zebra cichlid: Red zebra cichlid is a Lake Malawi cichlid. It needs a Lake Malawi tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–8.5), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Angelfish don't belong in that setup.
White cloud mountain minnow: They need different temperatures: Angelfish 24–29°C (75–84°F), white cloud mountain minnow 16–22°C (61–72°F). Angelfish can eat white cloud mountain minnows: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Black neon tetra: Angelfish can eat black neon tetras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Black phantom tetra: Angelfish can eat black phantom tetras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Buenos Aires tetra: Buenos Aires tetra is a well-known fin nipper and will shred the long fins of angelfish.
Clown killifish: Angelfish can eat clown killifish: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Crystal red shrimp: Angelfish eats small shrimp like crystal red shrimp.
Demasoni cichlid: Demasoni cichlid is a Lake Malawi cichlid. It needs a Lake Malawi tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–8.5), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Angelfish don't belong in that setup.
Endler's livebearer: Angelfish can eat Endler's livebearers: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Frontosa: Frontosa is a Lake Tanganyika cichlid. It needs a Lake Tanganyika tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 8–9), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Angelfish don't belong in that setup.
Kubotai rasbora: Angelfish can eat kubotai rasboras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Lambchop rasbora: Angelfish can eat lambchop rasboras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Marbled hatchetfish: Angelfish can eat marbled hatchetfish: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Paradise fish: Paradise fish tends to attack colourful, long-finned fish like angelfish, mistaking them for rivals.
Rosy loach: Angelfish can eat rosy loaches: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Rosy tetra: Angelfish can eat rosy tetras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Scarlet badis: Angelfish can eat scarlet badis: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Serpae tetra: Serpae tetra is a well-known fin nipper and will shred the long fins of angelfish.
Shell dweller cichlid: Angelfish can eat shell dweller cichlids: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown. Shell dweller cichlid is a Lake Tanganyika cichlid. It needs a Lake Tanganyika tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–9), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Angelfish don't belong in that setup.
Sparkling gourami: Angelfish can eat sparkling gouramis: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Threadfin rainbowfish: Angelfish can eat threadfin rainbowfish: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Dwarf rasbora: Angelfish can eat dwarf rasboras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Flame tetra: Angelfish can eat flame tetras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Glowlight danio: Angelfish can eat glowlight danios: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Green neon tetra: Angelfish can eat green neon tetras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Least killifish: Angelfish can eat least killifish: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.

Frequently asked questions

What fish can live with angelfish?

Good tank mates for angelfish include nerite snail, bristlenose pleco, assassin snail, ramshorn snail, malaysian trumpet snail and mystery snail. They need similar water and won't fight with or eat angelfish.

Can angelfish live with bettas?

No. Betta fish tends to attack colourful, long-finned fish like angelfish, mistaking them for rivals.

Can angelfish live with bristlenose plecos?

Yes. They share similar water needs (24–26°C (75–79°F)) and peaceful temperaments.

Can angelfish live with bronze corydoras?

Sometimes, with care. Angelfish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller bronze corydoras.

Can angelfish live with cherry shrimp?

No. Angelfish eats small shrimp like cherry shrimp.

Good Compatible tank mates (38)

Bristlenose pleco

Common pleco

Nerite snail

Assassin snail

Bala shark

Boesemani rainbowfish

Electric blue acara

Firemouth cichlid

Kuhli loach

Malaysian trumpet snail

Molly

Mystery snail

Pearl gourami

Rainbow shark

Ramshorn snail

Red-tail shark

Siamese algae eater

Silver dollar

African butterfly fish

Agassiz's dwarf cichlid

Black ghost knifefish

Bolivian ram

Bumblebee catfish

Clown pleco

Cockatoo cichlid

Congo tetra

Emerald green corydoras

Golden wonder killifish

Kissing gourami

Rabbit snail

Red rainbowfish

Ropefish

Tinfoil barb

Upside-down catfish

Zebra pleco

Keyhole cichlid

Moonlight gourami

Thick-lipped gourami

Caution Possible, with care (67)

Avoid Bad tank mates (44)

Frequently asked questions

Popular questions