Not every fish you place on your fish tank will live peacefully with each other. You have to do your research before you go buying all the types of fish you like.
You should consider the compatibility and harmony of the fish you will mix in your aquarium.
Some fish will feed on another fish species just because they are bigger, and they can pounce on the smaller fishes. For instance, Angelfish and guppies. They are not recommended to live together because they have an opposite behavior.
Angelfish is aggressive, while guppies are peace-loving fish. Angelfish are bigger than guppies, and they can feed on guppies when they are joined together in the fish tank.
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Get a Much Larger Fish Tank or Place a Divider
When you have a larger tank, you can keep your guppies and Angelfish away from each other since there is a bigger area for them to move around.
Your guppies can use one area for themselves, and they will not move around where the angelfish frequent.
However, this is still not an assurance that your Angelfish will not eat your guppies, but this is one possible way you can keep them apart.
If a large aquarium still does not stop your Angelfish from killing your guppies, then it is time to place a divider to keep them apart. This is also cost-effective since you will not need a separate heater and filter cause one will do for the whole aquarium.
A divider will keep the other fish from going to the area of the guppies and will have no way of attacking your guppies. It is also a better way for your guppies to not die of stress since they can easily swim around the aquarium without worrying about other fish attacking them.
Place Plants and Decor To Give Guppies Hiding Places
You can use plants and pots, figurines, and other water decors, so your guppies will have a place to hide from the Angelfish. Having plants inside the tank is an excellent diversion, so your Angelfish will not have their attention place on your guppies.
When your Angelfish run after the guppies, the latter will have a place to hide and take cover.
If you don’t want your guppies to be the feed for your Angelfish, it is wise to keep them in separate tanks.
This way, you can sleep at night knowing you will still see your guppies happily swimming in the morning, and you will not wonder what happened to the dozen guppies that you have in your tank.
This may cost you a bit since you will need a separate filter and heater, but if you are keen on taking care of both species, you have no choice but to get separate materials for your fish tank.
Keep Angelfish and Guppies Together While They Are Young
The best way to ensure that your Angelfish and your guppies will not clash is when you get them in the tank while they are young and still small. The Angelfish will not see the guppies as food since they will grow together.
The Angelfish show aggression since they are territorial and can fight with other fishes if they feel threatened.
If they grow with the guppies, they will not be thinking of eating the guppies but will have a better chance to live harmoniously with the guppies.
Best Tank Mates For Guppies
- Molly Fish – Hardy and friendly fish. Diet and environment match that of the Guppy fish.
- Platy Fish – Easy to get along with guppies and with other fishes. They are hardy and simple to maintain with rich colors that can beautify your aquarium.
- Swordtail Fish – Easy to breed and can live with a different school of fish, and compatible with guppies. They have fins that are shaped like a sword and come in different colors.
- Bristlenose Pleco -This fish got their name from the appearance of tentacles that make them look odd to some aquarists. They are interesting fish with peaceful temperaments that can comfortably live with guppies. They are also best in cleaning the aquarium since they stay at the bottom of the tank to feed on any fish tank “dirt” they can find.
- Gourami Fish – This fish loves to hide and will not be a burden to your guppies. They do socialize, enjoying going out in groups, at times. Gouramis love shade and hiding areas in the tank.
- Rasbora Fish – These fish are easy-going and suitable for those who are just new enthusiasts in fish keeping. They have a calm characteristic, and will not be a problem for you if you keep them and your guppies in one tank.
Best Tank Mates For Angelfish
- Swordtails – This fish can withstand a bit of aggression from other fish, so they are good to live with Angelfish. Easy to breed and does not require meticulous care. However, when they have offspring be sure to watch out for other fishes that may feast on it, even swordtails eat their offspring.
- Keyhole Cichlids – They are peace-loving fish, and will not be clashing with your Angelfish. They are hardy and will live peacefully with other types of fishes, not just Angelfish.
- Lemon Tetras – They make for a great tank mate for Angelfish since they are tolerant of different water conditions. They are hardy, easy to care for, and peace-loving, with no show of hostility to the fish community. As long as no one is trying to eat them, they will live happily inside the fish tank, especially if you don’t just get one but a few.
- Mollies – They can withstand some aggressiveness from their fellow tank mates and can be a perfect companion for Angelfish. They are easy to care for, have beautiful colors, and can live in different water conditions. Mollies can live perfectly with various fish species as they are hardy enough to get along with many of them.
- German Blue Ram Cichlids – This fish can live with different fish species, and they are one of the many beautiful fishes. They are mild-mannered and do not show hostility to their tank companions. They may require a bit of extra care though, compared to Angelfish since they can be very sensitive to nitrate and toxins in the water.
