Species › Cichlids

Angelfish tank mates and minimum tank size

Pterophyllum scalare

Angelfish grow to 15 cm (5.9 in). They will eat small fish they can catch. Their long fins draw fin nippers. They need 25.6–28.9 °C (78–84 °F) and pH 6.8–7.4.

Minimum tank

208 L (55 US gal), at least 100 cm (39 in) long

Adult size

15 cm (5.9 in)

Temperature

25.6–28.9 °C (78–84 °F)

pH

pH 6.8–7.4

Group

no minimum

Angelfish minimum tank size

Angelfish need at least 208 L (55 US gal), in a tank at least 100 cm (39 in) long.

That is the largest minimum among the sources below. The planner also checks the tank length against the adult size of 15 cm (5.9 in): a tank shorter than 4 times that is cramped (60 cm (24 in)).

Angelfish tank mates

Each of the other 52 species in this reference, judged against angelfish by the same rules as the compatibility checker. A guide, not a guarantee.

Compatible (8)

• Boeseman's rainbowfish
• Bronze corydoras
• Common pleco
• Dwarf gourami
• Guppy
• Honey gourami
• Pearl gourami
• Swordtail

With care (17)

• BettaBettas are usually best kept alone. Some accept calm tank mates such as angelfish, many do not.
• Black neon tetraAngelfish grow to 15 cm and eat animals they can swallow; black neon tetras grow to 3.5 cm.
• Black skirt tetraThe only temperature that suits both is 25.6–26 °C (78–79 °F), set by angelfish and black skirt tetras. That leaves no margin. The only pH that suits both is pH 6.8–7.0, set by angelfish and black skirt tetras. That leaves no margin. Black skirt tetras nip fins, and angelfish have long, trailing fins.
• Bristlenose plecoThe only temperature that suits both is 25.6–26 °C (78–79 °F), set by angelfish and bristlenose plecos. That leaves no margin.
• Cherry barbAngelfish grow to 15 cm and eat animals they can swallow; cherry barbs grow to 5 cm.
• Cherry shrimpAngelfish grow to 15 cm and eat animals they can swallow; cherry shrimp grow to 4 cm.
• Chili rasboraThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.8–7.0, set by angelfish and chili rasboras. That leaves no margin. Angelfish grow to 15 cm and eat animals they can swallow; chili rasboras grow to 3.5 cm. Chili rasboras (3.5 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger angelfish (15 cm).
• Congo tetraThe only temperature that suits both is 25.6–26 °C (78–79 °F), set by angelfish and Congo tetras. That leaves no margin.
• DiscusThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.8–7.0, set by angelfish and discus. That leaves no margin.
• Glass catfishThe only temperature that suits both is 25.6–26 °C (78–79 °F), set by angelfish and glass catfish. That leaves no margin. The only pH that suits both is pH 6.8–7.0, set by angelfish and glass catfish. That leaves no margin.
• Glowlight tetraAngelfish grow to 15 cm and eat animals they can swallow; glowlight tetras grow to 4 cm.
• Lemon tetraAngelfish grow to 15 cm and eat animals they can swallow; lemon tetras grow to 4 cm.
• Mystery snailThe only temperature that suits both is 25.6–26 °C (78–79 °F), set by angelfish and mystery snails. That leaves no margin. The only pH that suits both is pH 7.2–7.4, set by mystery snails and angelfish. That leaves no margin.
• Nerite snailThe only temperature that suits both is 25.6–26 °C (78–79 °F), set by angelfish and nerite snails. That leaves no margin.
• OtocinclusThe only temperature that suits both is 25.6–26 °C (78–79 °F), set by angelfish and otocinclus. That leaves no margin. Angelfish grow to 15 cm and eat animals they can swallow; otocinclus grow to 5 cm. Otocinclus (5 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger angelfish (15 cm).
• Red tail sharkThe only temperature that suits both is 25.6–26 °C (78–79 °F), set by angelfish and red tail sharks. That leaves no margin.
• Siamese algae eaterThe only temperature that suits both is 25.6–26 °C (78–79 °F), set by angelfish and Siamese algae eaters. That leaves no margin.

Not compatible (27)

• Cardinal tetraAngelfish need pH 6.8–7.4; cardinal tetras need pH 4.0–6.0. No pH suits both. Angelfish grow to 15 cm and eat animals they can swallow; cardinal tetras grow to 3.5 cm.
• Celestial pearl danioAngelfish grow to 15 cm and eat animals they can swallow; celestial pearl danios grow to 2.1 cm. The only temperature that suits both is 25.6–26 °C (78–79 °F), set by angelfish and celestial pearl danios. That leaves no margin. Celestial pearl danios (2.1 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger angelfish (15 cm).
• Clown loachClown loaches nip fins, and angelfish have long, trailing fins. The only pH that suits both is pH 6.8–7.0, set by angelfish and clown loaches. That leaves no margin.
• Cockatoo dwarf cichlidAngelfish need 25.6–28.9 °C (78–84 °F); cockatoo dwarf cichlids need 24–25 °C (75–77 °F). No temperature suits both. Angelfish need pH 6.8–7.4; cockatoo dwarf cichlids need pH 6.0. No pH suits both. Cockatoo dwarf cichlids fight other cichlids, and angelfish are one of them.
• Convict cichlidConvict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so angelfish would be harassed.
• Ember tetraAngelfish grow to 15 cm and eat animals they can swallow; ember tetras grow to 2 cm. The only pH that suits both is pH 6.8–7.0, set by angelfish and ember tetras. That leaves no margin. Ember tetras (2 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger angelfish (15 cm).
• Endler's livebearerAngelfish grow to 15 cm and eat animals they can swallow; Endler's livebearers grow to 2.5 cm. Endler's livebearers (2.5 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger angelfish (15 cm).
• German blue ramAngelfish need pH 6.8–7.4; German blue rams need pH 5.0–6.0. No pH suits both. Angelfish grow to 15 cm and eat animals they can swallow; German blue rams grow to 4.2 cm. German blue rams (4.2 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger angelfish (15 cm). German blue rams fight other cichlids, and angelfish are one of them.
• GoldfishAngelfish need 25.6–28.9 °C (78–84 °F); goldfish need 15.6–21.1 °C (60–70 °F). No temperature suits both.
• Harlequin rasboraAngelfish need 25.6–28.9 °C (78–84 °F); harlequin rasboras need 22–25 °C (72–77 °F). No temperature suits both. The only pH that suits both is pH 6.8–7.0, set by angelfish and harlequin rasboras. That leaves no margin. Angelfish grow to 15 cm and eat animals they can swallow; harlequin rasboras grow to 5 cm.
• KribensisAngelfish need 25.6–28.9 °C (78–84 °F); kribensis need 24–25 °C (75–77 °F). No temperature suits both. Kribensis fight other cichlids, and angelfish are one of them.
• Kuhli loachAngelfish need pH 6.8–7.4; kuhli loaches need pH 5.5–6.5. No pH suits both. The only temperature that suits both is 25.6–26 °C (78–79 °F), set by angelfish and kuhli loaches. That leaves no margin.
• MollyMollies need pH 7.5–8.2; angelfish need pH 6.8–7.4. No pH suits both.
• Neon tetraAngelfish need 25.6–28.9 °C (78–84 °F); neon tetras need 21–25 °C (70–77 °F). No temperature suits both. Angelfish grow to 15 cm and eat animals they can swallow; neon tetras grow to 3 cm. The only pH that suits both is pH 6.8–7.0, set by angelfish and neon tetras. That leaves no margin.
• OscarAngelfish need 25.6–28.9 °C (78–84 °F); oscars need 22–25 °C (72–77 °F). No temperature suits both. Oscars grow to 46 cm and eat animals they can swallow; angelfish grow to 15 cm.
• Panda corydorasAngelfish need 25.6–28.9 °C (78–84 °F); panda corydoras need 22–25 °C (72–77 °F). No temperature suits both. Angelfish grow to 15 cm and eat animals they can swallow; panda corydoras grow to 5 cm.
• Paradise fishAngelfish need 25.6–28.9 °C (78–84 °F); paradise fish need 16–22 °C (61–72 °F). No temperature suits both.
• Peppered corydorasAngelfish need 25.6–28.9 °C (78–84 °F); peppered corydoras need 22–23 °C (72–73 °F). No temperature suits both. The only pH that suits both is pH 6.8–7.0, set by angelfish and peppered corydoras. That leaves no margin.
• PlatyAngelfish need 25.6–28.9 °C (78–84 °F); platies need 20–25 °C (68–77 °F). No temperature suits both. Angelfish grow to 15 cm and eat animals they can swallow; platies grow to 5 cm.
• Pygmy corydorasAngelfish grow to 15 cm and eat animals they can swallow; pygmy corydoras grow to 3 cm. Pygmy corydoras and angelfish: it is small enough to be eaten. The only temperature that suits both is 25.6–26 °C (78–79 °F), set by angelfish and pygmy corydoras. That leaves no margin. Pygmy corydoras (3 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger angelfish (15 cm).
• Rosy barbAngelfish need 25.6–28.9 °C (78–84 °F); rosy barbs need 18–22 °C (64–72 °F). No temperature suits both.
• Rummy-nose tetraAngelfish need pH 6.8–7.4; rummy-nose tetras need pH 5.5–6.0. No pH suits both. The only temperature that suits both is 25.6–26 °C (78–79 °F), set by angelfish and rummy-nose tetras. That leaves no margin. Angelfish grow to 15 cm and eat animals they can swallow; rummy-nose tetras grow to 5 cm. Rummy-nose tetras (5 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger angelfish (15 cm).
• Serpae tetraSerpae tetras nip fins, and angelfish have long, trailing fins. The only temperature that suits both is 25.6–26 °C (78–79 °F), set by angelfish and serpae tetras. That leaves no margin. Angelfish grow to 15 cm and eat animals they can swallow; serpae tetras grow to 4 cm.
• Tiger barbTiger barbs nip fins, and angelfish have long, trailing fins. The only temperature that suits both is 25.6–26 °C (78–79 °F), set by angelfish and tiger barbs. That leaves no margin.
• White cloud mountain minnowAngelfish need 25.6–28.9 °C (78–84 °F); white cloud mountain minnows need 18–22 °C (64–72 °F). No temperature suits both. Angelfish grow to 15 cm and eat animals they can swallow; white cloud mountain minnows grow to 4 cm.
• Yoyo loachYoyo loaches nip fins, and angelfish have long, trailing fins.
• Zebra danioAngelfish need 25.6–28.9 °C (78–84 °F); zebra danios need 18–24 °C (64–75 °F). No temperature suits both. Angelfish grow to 15 cm and eat animals they can swallow; zebra danios grow to 5 cm.

Sources

Where sources differ, the value shown is computed as the most cautious one.

Behaviour notes are from Seriously Fish, read 2026-10-26; Seriously Fish, read 2026-10-26.

Check against another species Plan a tank