Last updated at 6/4/2024
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Angelfish are among my favorite types of fish. However, like much other fish, they come in different kinds. That automatically raises the question of whether or not different angelfish can live together. Over the years, I’ve learned some critical lessons regarding that issue.
Yes, different angelfish can live together, although one must consider the species in question. The Dwarf kind tends to be aggressive, while Veil angelfish typically lose their fins due to their vulnerability. On the other hand, Zebra, Ghost, Black Lace, and Koi angelfish usually get along quite well with each other.
Nevertheless, each case features its own variables. Sometimes docile angelfish will attack one another. As we move forward, I will show you a few techniques to make different angelfish get along, regardless of their subtypes.
Angelfish are not fussy creatures. They eat both animal and plant-based food, and they can survive in pH and temperatures that vary slightly from their optimal conditions. Add their colorful bodies to the equation, and it becomes quite easy to understand why beginners are encouraged to rear them.
However, you should know that angelfish are shoaling creatures. They prefer to live in groups. And once they have a group, a social hierarchy always takes shape. Therefore, fish owners are encouraged to find appropriate tank mates for their angelfish.
But what do appropriate tank mates look like? The answer to that question is complicated because angelfish, like most creatures, have distinct personalities. So it takes time and effort to locate the right tank mates for your particular angelfish.
Some people argue that, rather than trying to vet various species to find a type that can live peacefully in your angelfish tank, you are better off adding other angelfish.
But this isn’t the straightforward solution people expect it to be. Angelfish are not one homogenous group. Instead, they come in so many different types and categories. Do all of them get along? Can different angelfish live together? That is the question you usually have to answer before you proceed.
No rules are governing the mixing and matching of angelfish. However, you can make educated guesses based on what you know about the different types of angelfish, for instance:
Freshwater angelfish are the most common angelfish on the market. But plenty of people keep the saltwater variety. That being said, there is no need for you to question whether or not freshwater and saltwater angelfish can live together.
You can’t keep these two types of angels in the same tank. So, their temperaments and personalities don’t matter. They can’t survive in the same water conditions, and you shouldn’t try mixing those kinds.
Marble angels are called so because of their marble markings. They are resilient creatures that can adapt to unexpected changes in the conditions of their water.[1] This makes them less likely to resort to violence in the face of negative occurrences, such as temperature fluctuations.
This kind is known to be semi-aggressive.[2] That means it would probably be able to get along with other types of angelfish. From my experience, that is usually the case. Nevertheless, you should keep its environment peaceful. Do not overcrowd the tank with relatively large fish.
Veil angels have long, beautiful fins. This is a good thing because the angels will refresh the visual appearance of your aquarium. It is a bad thing because veil angels are vulnerable to fish that like to nip fins.[3] Angelfish do this from time to time.
As such, if your veil angel is sharing its tank with a more significant and aggressive angel, the veil’s fins could become a problem. I wouldn’t suggest raising that particular breed among other species. Veil angelfish would do better with their own kind, preferably in groups of five.
Besides their vertical striping, zebra angels don’t stand out, not in the area of personality or health. The same goes for ghost angelfish, which have a shimmering silver color, black lace angels that have black bodies, and leopard angels that have spots. This is also true for gold, blushing, koi, and smokey angelfish.
These typically get along with each other, perhaps due to their resemblance. If you wish to raise these angelfish in the same tank, you will probably do just fine. However, what I would suggest is getting a dark-colored substrate. That would camouflage their color and keep them out of predators’ sight.
Albino angels are beautiful. They have red eyes and pale colors, which is why they always stand out in a tank of colorful fish. But they are more vulnerable to health issues. This makes them a danger to other types of angels.
Like veil angelfish, I wouldn’t recommend raising albino with different kinds of angelfish. Due to their bright colors, they find it difficult to hide. Again, if you like this type, you should keep it with its own breed.
Dwarf angels are complicated. You can get them in various types, and some are pretty docile.[4] On the other hand, quite a few are highly aggressive. This is why keeping multiple dwarf angelfish in the same tank can present a problem.
Nevertheless, keeping them with other types of angelfish doesn’t necessarily solve your issue. Some dwarf angels are only dangerous to other species. But you also have those that are aggressive towards their own kind.
If you choose to pair other types of angels with dwarfs, you should expect the worst. Naturally, your dwarf fish could surprise you by presenting a calm persona. But you shouldn’t be surprised if hostilities break out.
Obviously, as was mentioned above, angelfish vary in personality. But they share specific attributes. Even the traits that might be absent at present could manifest later on. So you should prepare accordingly.
The first question you must answer is this: what kind of temperament do angelfish have? It is easier to determine whether or not different types of angelfish can live together in a tank if you understand the type of behavior you will encounter.
**This encourages fish owners to keep their angels with other angelfish. If your angels are the only dominant species in the tank, you don’t witness quite as much conflict. **
Angelfish don’t hunt for things they can’t see. It is relatively commonplace for small angels to use the plant life in a tank to hide from larger angelfish. Again, it is worth reiterating that angelfish do not behave the same.
Some of your angelfish will display this behavior and more. But others might present more docile, less combative personalities. Either way, it helps to know.
What does any of the above tell you about the relationships that will form between different angelfish? Ultimately, there is no way for you to know what will happen until you start mixing and matching them:
To be clear, you don’t have to accept the aggressive behavior in your angelfish. You have no way of knowing how the different types of angelfish will react. But even if your angels choose to engage in violence, separating them should be the last resort.
Start by taking steps to quell their hostile behavior. This typically involves the following:
If you suspect that is indeed the issue, you might find my article on how to keep angelfish from breeding useful. Apparently, there are a few changes you can make in the water pretty quickly to prevent this from happening.
You should also endeavor to keep the angels adequately nourished. Here you will find another article I’ve written on how often (and how much) you should feed them. In there, I considered the different kinds of food which I found healthy for angelfish, based on years of experience.
On that matter, here you will find an article by me in which I’ve elaborated on the suitable plants for angelfish (which they aren’t likely to eat). I also considered the tank dimensions you’ll require in a different article, depending on the number of angelfish you wish to raise.
Angelfish are aggressive creatures – that is apart of their cichlids’ characteristics. Therefore, it may be challenging to raise different kinds quietly. If you wish to do so, you should probably avoid Veil and Dwarf angelfish. These typically get along with their own types.
Instead, try raising angelfish, which look similar. That is why I suggest that you stick with Zebra, Koi, and Black Lace angelfish. Also, introduce vegetation to your tank and choose a dark-colored substate.
I hope my article gave you a better sense of how to keep different angelfish together. I am sure you will eventually find the balance in your tank. On that matter, there is nothing better than practicing.
