Freshwater Aquarium Fish - Angelfish Care

Anglefish are a stunning freshwater aquarium fish that you can add to your tank. Freshwater angelfish are a type of South American Cichlid. They were first brought into Germany in 1911 and into the US in 1925. A number of kinds have been bred by aquarists, and angelfish have become the most popular freshwater aquarium fish.

However, angelfish are not a resilient fish and they can be aggressive. Many people donít recognize that angelfish are omnivores and will devour tank mates such as Neon Tetras, which they think of as a fantastic delight. The key is simple. If the fish will fit in the angel's mouth, it is not a tank mate; it is dinner. They are also attracted to slow moving, pretty, shiny fish with long fins. They are notorious for nipping at the fins of Bettas.

Since the early 1990's, there has been a marked decline in the robustness of angelfish. So called "angelfish disease" has been a difficult dilemma for freshwater aquarium enthusiasts. If you have had difficulties with angelfish not surviving in your tank, it is probable that you tank is tainted. Tanks can stay infected for months. If you have lost angelfish, you should consult with a professional and decontaminate your tank.

If you have never owned angelfish or you have had success with angels in your freshwater aquarium and you wish to add new angels, it is very important that you set up an isolation tank and isolate your new angelfish. You do not want to bring in a sick fish into your community.
Angelfish are easily stressed. Angels caught in the wild are given strong antibiotics, which can actually enable them to live around ailing fish and bring the sickness they have been contaminated with into your tank. This is another reason an isolation tank for your angelfish is necessary.

Procuring your angelfish from an respectable breeder will also help you to obtain a hardy fish. Tank-raised angelfish are less stressed than wild-caught angelfish because they are used to an aquarium environment. They will be stressed from being moved, but they will not have the additional stress from being caught in the wild, transported from South America and then placed into a tank environment.

Angelfish need to be kept in water with a pH range of 6.0 to 8.0, a dH range of 5.0 ñ 13 and water temperature in the low to mid 80's F. They like thick vegetation and room to swim. A 40-gallon tank is pretty much the minimum if it is a community tank; a 60-gallon is better. Not only do the angels need opportunity to swim, but their tank mates need places to get away when the angels become aggressive.

Since angelfish are omnivores, they need to be fed live food as well as flakes. Baby brine shrimp are easy to raise, and provide a needed treat for angels. Another excellent choice are bloodworms.

Angelfish do not do well in isolation. Having a single angelfish in a community tank is a set up for problems. Angelfish have been known in such a situation to kill ALL their fellow fish in the tank. Angels seem happiest with six or more in a community and lots of room.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?Freshwater-Aquarium-Fish---Angelfish-Care&id=2455968

Top 10 Angelfish Facts

Here are my top 10 facts about Angelfish:

1. They are one of the most commonly kept freshwater aquarium fish. This is due to their unique shape and color plus their intelligent behaviour. They are believed to recognize their owners.
2. They are thin, with round bodies and elongated triangular dorsal and anal fins. Natural Angelfish have vertical colored stripes to provide camouflage.
3. They are ambush predators and prey on small fish and macroinvertebrates. They should be fed a mixture of flake, frozen and live food.
4. They're eggs are generally laid on a submerged log or a flattened leafs.
5. When mating, they form monogamous pairs. These relationships are long term. If one of the pair are removed or die the remaining fish will often never form another relationship. When they become parents they will watch over the eggs until they are hatched.
6. They originate from the Amazon River, Orinoco River and Essequibo River basins in tropical South America.
7. They are best kept in a warm aquarium, ideally around 80°F (27°C). The prefer a pH of below 7.5 but can thrive in a wide range of pH values.
8. They generally reach maturity at around six to twelve months. If the eggs are removed immediately after spawning they can spawn every seven to ten days.
9. It is relatively easy to breed them in an aquarium.
10. Breeding them can make it very difficult to identify their gender until they are ready to breed and also can remove their rearing instinct resulting in them eating their young.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brian_Malone