The Angelfish tank: 240 L, hardware and start-up
Angelfish : A 240 to 300 L tank at least 50 cm tall, for a group of 5 to 6 juveniles or a bonded pair. Do not house it with neon tetras or shrimp, which it will eventually eat.
In our shop, for this use: Ceramic pebble hide for shrimp and small fish (€20.90) · the whole shop
Our products don’t ship to you yet, but the PDF practical guide is instant: Beginner axolotl: aquarium and care (€19)
In short: 15 cm long and up to 20 cm tall, 240 to 300 L for a group, water between 24 and 28 °C. A majestic, slow cichlid, peaceful in appearance but territorial when breeding and a predator of very small fish. Its tall silhouette demands a tank at least 50 cm high; do not mix it with neons or shrimp, which it eventually eats.
240 litres minimum: why that number
For a group of 5+ Angelfish reaching 15 cm as an adult, plan 240 real litres — and remember a big tank is more STABLE, hence easier, than a small one: parameters drift slowly, leaving time to correct. At this volume, check your floor’s load rating and use a dedicated stand: a litre weighs a kilo, decor not included.
Hardware: filter, heater, lighting
A filter turning the volume over three to five times an hour, a heater around 1 W per litre set to 24 to 28°C, backed by an independent thermometer — built-in thermostats sometimes lie, and lighting on a timer at 8 to 10 hours a day: any longer and the algae win.
Substrate, plants and start-up
Nutrient substrate under fine sand or quartz, robust plants (anubias, vallisneria, Java moss) and wood to structure the territory. Then patience: a complete nitrogen cycle (3 to 4 weeks, nitrites back to zero) before the first Angelfish — the step every hurried beginner pays for dearly.
Frequently asked questions
What tank size for Angelfishs?
A real 240 litres minimum for a group of 5+ — below that, parameters drift too fast to catch.
Does a Angelfish need a heater?
Yes, about 1 W per litre set to 24 to 28°C, with an independent thermometer double-checking the thermostat.
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