I assume you are looking to add a new fish to your community fish aquarium. And you’ve got an eye on one particular fish.

The angelfish! 

Angelfish has always been, and will always be, one of my favorite freshwater fish. Throughout my fishkeeping journey, I’ve kept angelfish on many occasions. 

I can’t say that it was all a bed of roses. But I can’t complain, either. 

I’ve kept different kinds of angelfish. All with different characters. 

One of the many things angelfish are known for is that they are aggressive. But are they really? 

In this article, we’ll answer that question once for all. In addition, we’ll talk about what you need to do if you angelfish show signs of aggression. But first, let’s answer the question. 

Are angelfish aggressive? Angelfish are semi-aggressive fish which makes them a good, but not great community fish. However, like any other cichlids, they can get quite aggressive towards fish from on its kind. 

Why is my angelfish aggressive? 

If you are first time owner of angelfish, you’ve might be surprised by how aggressive these fish can be. 

I wouldn’t call that aggressive, but for a beginner aquarist, it sure looks like it. 

If you’ve never kept cichlids, you are probably not used to this behavior. But, it’s pretty normal actually. 

Angelfish, being a cichlid, is no exception to the rule. In my experience, these are the most common reasons why are angelfish so aggressive. 

Angelfish are territorial fish by nature. I can’t count how many times I’ve witnessed my angelfish chasing each other in the tank. They do that to establish a hierarchy in the tank. 

Angelfish can show aggression towards smaller fish, and quite often eating them. One of the main reasons is insufficient diet. Make sure you always keep your fish well-fed to avoid such scenarios in the near future. 

Angelfish almost always show signs of aggression when they form pairs and start breeding. It’s kind of the worst type of aggression. It’s the time of the month when one pair holds off half of the aquarium. 

Those are the most common reasons why angelfish are aggressive. In the next section, we’ll talk about what you should do to reduce aggression as much as possible. 

How do you stop angelfish aggression? 

Now that you know why are angelfish aggressive, you should also learn how to reduce their aggression. 

Let’s start with their territorial behavior. 

Every single fish has its territory in the tank. The alpha holds off the biggest territory with the other fish spreading out in small territories all across the tank. To avoid such type of aggression, you can do two things. Make sure that the tank is big enough so can every fish have plenty of space, or reduce the number of fish you keep in your tank. 

However, in my experience, even with plenty of space, some fish will remain bullies. In that case, the wise thing is to remove the most aggressive angelfish. 

One mistake that I have made is introducing juveniles in a tank where adults have already established territories. Make sure that you buy angelfish in similar sizes, all in once, and from the same source. I’ve learned that the hard way loosing several fish in the process. 

Another thing to do to reduce aggression in your tank is to make fewer water changes. I know it sounds silly, but hear me out. 

According to one study, angelfish release chemical signals in the water, through the urine, to mark territory. It is a way to establish some kind of social status in the group. 

Through frequent water changes, those chemicals dilute, which means the hierarchy in the tank needs to reestablish again. Interesting, isn’t it? 

What if pair form and start breeding in your tank? This is a tricky one. 

This is the time when they show the most aggression. In this case, the best thing to do is move the angelfish in separate tanks whenever a pair forms. Otherwise, you’ll see a lot of aggressive behavior that sometimes leads to losing fish. 

Final Thoughts 

Keeping angelfish might present a few challenges for their owners. 

At first sight, it seems that keeping angelfish is not worth it. However, that’s far from the truth. I personally love keeping angelfish. I am confident if you try it, you’ll love it too. 

Unlike other similar types of fish, such as the Discus fish, angelfish are quite hardy. 

The only thing you need to do to be successful in keeping these fish is to choose appropriate tankmates and to buy them at similar sizes. Assuming you’ve already set up an appropriate tank for them, of course. 

Before you go, I’d like to hear from you.

Do your angelfish have ever shown signs of aggression? If so, what have you done to reduce it? 

Let me know in the comments below! 

I assume that was the first thing that put you off the idea of keeping discus. You’ve heard the same thing from different sources, and now, you are thinking is keeping discus worth it. 

I get it! Keeping fish should be fun, not a chore. Changing large amounts of water every day is not something you want to do. 

Plus, people are busy. They don’t want to spend their free time walking around with buckets full of water. They want to enjoy watching their fish with minimal effort of maintaining the tank. 

You can still have that. Even with a high maintenance fish such as the Discus. But, you’ll still need to stick to some rules. 

In this article, you’ll learn everything you need to know about Discus fish and water changes. 

Let’s get started. 

Do Discus really need daily water changes?

This has always been a hot debate among discus fish enthusiasts. Some people swear to the practice of daily water changes, others will say that the benefit of daily water changes is just a myth. 

As a beginner, this might be quite confusing. Who is right? Which advice you should take? Well, there is truth in both statements. Let me explain! 

Clean water is essential for the health of every fish. Whether is a discus fish, angelfish, or a goldfish, pristine water quality will benefit its health. 

However, for some species, such as the Discus fish, clean water plays a major role in its overall health. 

You can get away without making water changes for a couple of weeks in a goldfish tank, but not in a discus tank. At least, not without certain consequences. 

However, I am not advocating to do that. The goldfish as hardy as it is, it still needs a good water quality. But you got my point. 

But do they need daily water changes? 

It depends, however, in general, they don’t need daily water changes. Three to four times a week will be sufficient in order for your fish to thrive. However, they are exceptions to that rule. Let’s see them in the next section of this article. 

How often should I do water changes in my discus tank? 

The truth is, there isn’t a strict, set regimen. The frequency of water changes in your discus tank will depend on many factors. 

How many fish you have in your aquarium? What’s the size of the tank? 

Are they juveniles, or adult fish? What’s the filtration like? How often do you feed your fish? 

All of this stuff can have a big impact on the frequency of water changes. Let’s explain them individually. 

If you are raising a group of juveniles, you should make daily water changes. Or every other day if that’s too much for you. 

Anything less will stunt your fish. Bad water quality is the first thing that has an impact on the growth of a young discus. 

Combine that with bad quality food and you have a fish that won’t reach its full potential. 

The amount of food you are giving to your fish is also very important. More food means more excess, more nitrates, and more ammonia. 

Frequent feedings correspond with frequent water changes. It’s simple as that. 

You might be wondering: How much percentage of water do I need to change? 

Some people do 100 percent water changes, others don’t. Do what’s most convenient for you. In my opinion, 50 percent water changes are more than enough. 

What’s the best time for water change? 

Discus are skittish fish, and they can easily get stressed out. Especially when it’s water change time. 

If you can, set up a schedule, and try to stick to it. That way your discus will know and they will be prepared for a water change. 

Another good way is to do a water change after a massive feeding. All the leftover food will be removed, and your tank will remains clean for a prolonged time. 

Final Thoughts 

Discus fish don’t require daily water changes unless they are juveniles, and you want to grow them to their maximum potential. 

However, they still need frequent water changes, and you should certainly do it if you want to raise a healthy, big, and beautiful fish. 

It may seem like a lot a work, but it’s necessary, and it’s a small price compared to the satisfaction you’ll get watching these majestic fish. 

Before you leave, I’d like to hear your opinion on this subject. Do discus need daily water changes, or not? 

Leave a comment in the comment section!

I immediately asked the shop owner when I saw a discus fish for the first time, secretly hoping for an answer that they don’t require large tanks. 

In hindsight, that wasn’t a particularly good question. A fish of that size in a small tank? Not a good match up. 

In my defense, I was just a kid. I just wanted to know what it takes to keep those beautiful fish in my aquarium. 

Like me, if you’ve looked into keeping a discus fish at all, you’ve probably been interested in finding out the size of aquarium discus fish needs. 

Whether you are a beginner or experienced fish keeper, this article will help you in the decision of choosing an appropriate tank for your discus fish. 

Sounds good enough?

Let’s get started! 

Minimum Tank Size For Discus Fish 

Most people want the easiest, the cheapest and fastest way to get into things. When it comes to choosing a tank for discus fish, the same principle applies. 

They first ask what is the bare minimum tank size for a discus fish, not what’s the best tank size for a discus fish. 

Frankly, I can’t blame them. I do the same thing. While that’s probably not the best approach, it’s a human thing to do. We always want the best bang for the buck. 

This approach might work for other things, however, it’s not the best when it comes to keeping discus fish. Saving a few bucks on a tank, in the beginning, might cause you big time in the future.

However, for all those discus lovers who can’t afford to have enormous tanks, there is a way. But first, you need to know something about these fish. 

Discus is a schooling fish. They feel more secure when they are kept in groups. You can’t just keep a single discus fish. 

Technically you could, but that’s not the right way to keep discus fish. If you’ve considered this information, you’ll quickly realize that you are not planning a tank for a single fish, but a group of fish. 

How many you might ask? At least 6 discus fish. Why 6 fish? Why not 3,4 or 5?

You can keep as many discus fish as you want, assuming you provide the conditions. Some people have done it. Without having any problems. 

However, discus fish are cichlids, therefore they show aggression. Keeping a large group of discus is common practice. Of course, if you want to spread out the aggression between them. 

The minimum tank size for a discus fish will depend on the number of fish you have in plan to keep. If you start with 6 juveniles you’ll need at least a 55-gallon tank. 

However, that’s just a grow out tank. For a 6 adult fish you’ll need at least a 75-gallon tank. Anything less than that, it will be difficult to maintain. Maintaining pristine water quality is one of the most important things about keeping these fish. And, it’s not something you want to mess it up. 

The exception is keeping a one mated pair of discus fish. A 55-gallon tank would be sufficient for them. 

Best Tank Size For Discus Fish 

You’ve seen what’s the bare minimum tank size for keeping discus. But what if you want to do the right thing from the beginning. What if you have enough resources, budget, and time? What’s the best approach? 

The best approach is to buy 12 juveniles. Raise them in a grow-out tank, preferably a 75-gallon tank, and as they grow up, remove the most aggressive ones. 

When they reach the adult stage, transfer them in a 100-gallon tank. That way, you’ll have a nice group of peaceful adult discus fish. 

There isn’t a best size of a tank for discus. The bigger the tank the better. But if I have to choose, I would say that a 100 gallon would be perfectly fine. 

Final Thoughts 

Keeping discus fish is no different from keeping other freshwater fish. However, unlike other fish, the Discus is less forgiving when it comes to water quality. 

That’s why setting up an appropriate tank for your discus fish is of great importance.

I know, I have. Compared with other freshwater fish, the king of the aquarium has a higher price point. It’s even on a level with some pricier saltwater fish. What makes this fish so unique that it deserves that price tag? The answer might surprise you. 

In this article, we’ll look at all the factors that make the Discus fish so expensive. If I had to answer this question in one sentence, I would say… 

Why are discus fish so expensive? Discus fish are expensive because they require special conditions and a lot of effort to be raised off. 

That was the short answer. For more details keep reading. 

Why are discus fish so expensive? 

Discus is one of a kind aquarium fish. If you’ve ever seen them in person, you know what I am talking about. 

These fish have a stunning appearance. 

It’s no secret that people often consider the Discus as the ultimate fish to keep as a freshwater hobbyist. They truly deserve the title the king of the aquarium. 

Unfortunately, Discus fish are not kept by many people. In my opinion, there are two reasons for this. Firstly, they are delicate, high maintenance fish that require certain experience to be successful in keeping them. 

Secondly, they are expensive. When you add the fact that you need to keep them in a group at least 5, the cost of owning these types of fish quickly adds up. Why are they so expensive, you might ask? 

There are several reasons, the most common ones being:

They need a warmer water temperature

Discus fish needs warmer water temperature compared to other tropical fish. They also need a stable water temperature without big fluctuations. 

The temperature must stay high throughout the whole day, therefore a quality heater is a must-have for a discus tank. In countries with colder climates, discus fish breeders have difficulties maintaining stable temperatures in their tanks. 

Adding additional heaters, or heating the entire room quickly adds up to the cost of raising baby discus. That’s why the Discus fish coming from Asia have a lower price point compared with other places. It costs less to raise a baby discus there. 

They need pristine water quality and large amounts of food

The first thing you’ll hear about these fish is that they need clean water. And it’s true. 

In fact, it’s the single most important factor that determines whether you are successful or not in keeping discus fish. 

They have very strict requirements such as daily water changes, oftentimes as large as 100 %. 

If you add up the cost of food, you’ll quickly realize that raising discus fish is not cheap at all. 

Labor

A lot of effort, resources, and time are put in raising and breeding a discus fish. It’s not a type of fish that you’ll feed it once and call it a day. Baby discus fish require constant monitoring and feeding every two hours. 

In addition, breeders lose fish frequently, which makes the cost of raising discus fish even higher. 

Time to grow 

Raising discus from fry to an adult fish takes time and patience. If you take into consideration the process of culling, as well, you’ll see why raising a high-quality discus fish is so difficult and expensive. 

Final Thoughts 

The Discus fish might be expensive, however, in the grand scheme of things, that is a good thing. 

If discus fish were cheap, novice hobbyists would buy them without thinking twice. 

Given the fact that they are very delicate fish and require certain expertise and resources to be kept, beginner hobbyists would have a difficult time keeping them alive. And the king of the aquarium deserves more. 

Give or take, the price is fair considering the fact what you get. A gorgeous, colorful fish that for sure will be the center showpiece of your aquarium.

That was the first thought I had when I first saw these species. I mean, who wouldn’t be amazed by these beautiful fish and who would not want to keep them in their tanks. 

There is a reason why they are called the king of the aquarium. It’s because they truly are. With their striking appearance, majestic colors, and oval body shape, they certainly deserve that title. 

I have always wanted to keep discus fish. 

That desire has grown stronger and stronger with each day passed. One day I decided to make a thorough research and see if I could keep these fish. 

Unfortunately, based on my research, I couldn’t keep this fish. At least, not right now. 

Discus fish need special requirements, large tanks, and frequent water changes. 

Conditions that I can’t provide right now. 

However, now I have a basic understanding of what it takes to keep discus fish. There is a lot of good information on the internet about keeping discus fish. And there is bad information, as well. 

I’ve filtered all the information, keeping only the good stuff, and in this guide, I’ll present it in a simple, yet effective way. 

And If you want to learn more, I highly recommend it to check out the simplydiscus forum. There are a lot of guys there, with a ton of experience, ready to help wherever help is needed.

Are Discus Fish Hard to Keep? 

Discus fish are not that hard to keep, despite the common belief. 

They are hardier than many hobbyists believe. As long as you set up an appropriate tank, maintain stable water parameters, do regular water changes, you won’t have a problem. 

If you want to increase your chances of success with the Discus fish, there are several things you should know. Not all things are set in stone, however, if you follow the most of them, success is guaranteed. 

Buy From Well Experienced and Reputable Breeders

This is the single most important factor that determines your success with keeping discus fish. If you don’t buy quality, healthy, and well-shaped specimens, whatever you do from there won’t help you in the process of raising big and healthy discus fish. 

Take your time, make the research, and listen to people with more experience than you. That way, you’ll be ahead from the start. 

Start With at Least 6 Discus Fish

Discus are schooling fish by nature and they feel more secure when they are fish from the same species around them. 

Start with at least 6 discus fish. The bigger the group the better. If your tank size allows, start with 12 juveniles, all with similar size, and gradually remove the ones that show aggression. That way, in time, you’ll have a nice peaceful group of adult discus fish. 

Make sure that all the fish have similar sizes unless you want to see aggression and competition for food. 

Get a discus of at least 4 inches in size. 

Smaller fish tend to have weaker immune systems and are prone to diseases, making them more difficult for beginners to take care of them. 

And last but not least, make sure that all come from the same breeder.

Set Up an Appropriate Tank Size

Discus is large fish that grow fast so setting up a bigger tank from the beginning is a wise thing to do. 

The minimum tank size for a group of juvenile discus fish should be at least 75 gallons. 

Start with a bare bottom tank. It’s easier for cleaning, general maintenance, and your fish will have a better chance of fulfilling their growth potential.

Do Regular Water Changes 

Regular water changes are one of the most important aspects of keeping discus fish, especially for raising juveniles. 

Set up a schedule and follow a routine of frequently making large water changes. 

Final Thoughts 

Are discus fish hard to keep? Not really if you think about it. 

Keeping discus fish is no harder than keeping other fish. However, compared to keeping other fish, here, you have a small room for error.

But as long as you follow the key practices, you won’t have a problem with keeping this fish. Let’s recap the most important things you need to know about keeping discus fish.

Buy from well experienced and reputable breeders. Start with at least 6 discus fish. 

Set up an appropriate tank size from the start. And, do regular water changes. 

That’s all you need to know. It’s simple but time-consuming. If you can’t make the time, then sure, discus fish can be hard to keep.

Some of them are rare and not seen in most home aquariums. Some are available in every pet store, but not recommended for beginners due their difficult requirements. But they are all beautiful and exotic.

If you are interested to find out the names of these fishes stay around.

          MOST EXOTIC FRESHWATER FISH

1.Vampire Tetra

The Vampire Tetra or also knows as Payara is a truly remarkable fish, rare to see in home aquariums and it’s not recommended for beginner aquarist. Her name comes from her big front teeth. The vampire tetra is well known for her aggressive nature, and should be fed only by live food.

It can be kept in larger aquariums, but often outgrows her tanks. The Payara doesn’t usually live long in captivity, probably 6 months to 1 years, but there have been reported some cases living up to 2 years. It can reach up to 4 feet in size, but its common size in captivity is up to 12 inches.

Quick info

Average price- 80$+

Lifespan- up to 2 years in captivity

Size- 12 inches in captivity

Temperament- Aggressive

Min tank size-80 gallon

Compatible with-Arowana, Pacus, Catfish

2.Archerfish

Archerfish is very interesting and unusual fish to have in your aquarium. The original habitat of archer fish is Southeast Asia, and it mostly lives in brackish waters. So probably the best conditions to kept in this fishes are medium hard water and Ph of 7.0 to 8.0 .

Their life expectancy is 5 to 10 years, and most of them grow to around 12 inches. The most interesting fact about this fish is it ability to capture the pray in a specific way. They stay under the water surface waiting to shot at their pray and most of the time are very accurate.

The archer fish is popular aquarium fish, but not very easy to handle due their demand of only live food.

Quick info

Average price-20$

Lifespan-5 to 10 years

Size- 10 to 12 inches

Temperament- usually peaceful (territorial with her own species)

Min tank size- 100 gallons

Compatible with- pufers, other archers, monos

3.Arowana

The Arowana is one of the most popular fish among more experienced aquarists. These fish are well known for her prehistoric appearance, and can be naturally found in the Amazon river Basin.

Arowanas can grow to a maximum size of 35 inches, and due their size larger tanks are required. They are carnivores and prefer live food. Arowana is an aggressive fish and is not compatible with common aquarium species.

To keep healthy and happy Arowana you need to have a high-quality filtration system. This fish has frequent eating habits and can produce a lot of waste. You need to keep this in a mind, cause stable water parameters is the most important factor for keeping this exotic fish.

Be aware of their jumping ability. In the wild, they swim near the water surface waiting for their pray. You certainly don’t want to find your fish on the floor.

Quick info

Average price- few hundred dollars

Lifespan- up to 50 years

Size- 35 inches in captivity

Temperament- Aggressive

Min tank size- 100 gallons

Compatible with- Silver Dollars, Red hooks, Emperor hooks( basically any fish that are bigger than arowana’s mouth.)

4.Freshwater stingrays

Many people think that stingrays are saltwater fishes and most of them are very surprised when they found out that there are also freshwater stingrays.

Not everyone is capable of keeping these exotic freshwater fish cause they require a unique tank set up, and advance experience. But if you are willing to give them proper care and provide excellent conditions, then you certainly can keep stingrays in a home aquarium.

Freshwater stingrays can grow up to 3 feet. Keep that in mind when you are making your first stingray tank. You will need at least 70 gallons when the fish is smaller, but it is better to start with a bigger tank because the stingray will outgrow it fast. I recommend 150 to 250 gallon for a good fish commodity.

They are semi-aggressive fish, and it’s not recommended to mix it with common aquarium species. If you really want to keep other species in your stingray tank, put larger fish than are not aggressive or semi aggressive.

Even though keeping freshwater stingrays can be a challenging job, it’s well worth it in the end of the day. You’ll have a breathtaking view in your own home. That is priceless.

Quick info

Average price- 100$-100000$

Lifespan- 10 years

Size- up to 3 feet

Temperament- Semi-aggressive

Min tank size-200 gallon

Compatible with- larger peaceful fish

5.African Lungfish

The African Lungfish is an interesting fellow to have in your aquarium. They are not challenging fish to care for, however, they require a lot of room for their growth. In the wild, they tend to grow up to 40 inches, but probably their size in captivity is close to 30 inches.

African Lungfish is an omnivore and will eat pretty much everything. These fish are extremely messy, they produce a lot of waste, so the best way to keep them is to have high-quality filtration.

They are very aggressive fish, so try not put them in a community tank.

If you really want to keep these pals, then prepare to set up an individual tank only for them.

Quick info

Average price- 30$+

Lifespan- 20 years +

Size- 30 inches+

Temperament- Aggressive

Min tank size- 100 gallons

Compatible with- best kept completely alone

Conclusion

Have you been kept any of the fish on the list?

What is your experience with these exotic freshwater fish?

Please, share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Image credit

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Related posts:

1. The Best Canister Filter for 2019.
2. What is the Best Cichlid Food for Color and Growth?
3. Best Food for Angelfish Growth and Color.

How cool would it be to have real size shark in your tank?

But, let us leave that for some better times. Now on the list of fish that can actually leave in our tanks.

1. Bala Shark

source

2.Red Tail Shark

source

3.Rainbow Shark

source

4.Flying Fox

source

5.Chinese High Fin Banded Shark

source

]]> https://aquaticpals.com/freshwater-fish-look-like-sharks/feed/ 1 https://aquaticpals.com/best-freshwater-aquarium-fish-beginners/ https://aquaticpals.com/best-freshwater-aquarium-fish-beginners/#respond Thu, 18 Aug 2016 16:48:38 +0000 https://aquaticpals.com/?p=164 Looking to dive into the aquarium hobby?
But, you don’t have an idea how and where to start.

Well, you are in the right place. I know from personal experience, that starting an aquarium can be a frustrating job, especially if you are a beginner. You just want everything to be set up fast. However, very often beginners buy a tank, and just fill it with fish they think are attractive, without considering their mutual compatibility.

Don’t do the common mistake average fishkeeper does. Educate yourself before your purchase your first fish. Do you want to know what are the best freshwater aquarium fish for beginners? Let us find out.

But before we do that here is a list of things to considered before you buy your first fish. If your plan is to have a community tank that houses different types of fish, make sure that your first aquatic pals are beginner friendly. Don’t populate the tank with aggressive or semi aggressive fish.

In the beginning, it’s recommended to buy species that are easy to care for. You are still in a learning mode. Make yourself a favor and don’t rush it. The time will come when you’ll be ready for more complex species.

Many hobbyists lose their passion very quickly because they face a lot of disappointments in the beginning. Don’t be one of those guys.

The size of your tank is one of the most important things you need to consider before buying your first fish. There is no sense to buy a fish that have big growing potential, and your tank is just not big enough.

Luckily for you, the list of fishes I made can grow maximum to 3 inches, which make them perfect for standard beginner fish tank.

Now, let us see the list

1. GUPPY

(source)

2. NEON TETRA

  (source)

3.PLATIES

(source)

4.DANIOS

(source)

5.BLACK MOLLY

(source)

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