Mixing Dwarf Angels

[Mike612]

My 75 gallon is looking a little empty. I would like to add a couple of more fish. I really want a Golden Angel and a Multibarred Angel. I know both are pretty timid and can be a little tricky to care for because of this. The tank has tons of caves. There are lots of rocks. Is there any chance I can mix the two angels in the tank if they're added at the same time or am I better off doing one at a time?
My lfs gets the Multibarred Angel pretty often and they are always eating, look very healthy, and are very playful. The lfs gets the Golden here and there, but if I can convince the guy to get both at the same time, maybe even both juveniles, I would love to keep the two of them together. The last Golden he had was eating well, was very alert of my presence (came and greeted me, played with me a bit), and was swimming beautifully.

 

[brandonberry]

It may be possible. I've always heard people say not to mix dwarf angels together, but I kept a Eibli and a flameback together in a 20g (part of my 220g system) for 2-3 months without any issue. If I was going to try it, I would definitely add them at the same time. That is what I did and may be why I had some success. Even that said, I would never recommend that someone do that.

 

[ChrisRD]

I've never kept the two species you're considering, but I have been able to keep two Centropyges in the same tank. I was able to keep a Half Black and an Eibli together in a 75 gallon tank with no problems. They actually got along very well. I added them at the same time.

 

[Anonymous]

I keep a flame and a bicolor in the same tank (125g) I don't see any aggression from either, in fact they're both rather timid.

 

[Mike612]

Thanks for the responses. I know Goldens are very peaceful, whereas the Multibarred can be a little territorial. The Multibarred Angel's is what concerns me since they're both such timid fish and like to hide most of the day. I'm afraid the Multibarred might harass the Golden a bit since they'll both be swimming around in the rockwork all day.

 

[Anonymous]

If the Multibarred is more territorial than the Golden, it might be worth adding the Golden first, based on the usual best practice for adding fish, but someone else might have views on whether that applies for dwarf angels as well.

 

[Mike612]

You said the key word in there though. The Multibarred is MORE territorial, doesn't mean that the Golden isn't territorial, especially towards another angelfish. A Golden might not go after a new firefish or clownfish when those are added, but it will probably chase the Multibarred around if they're introduced separately.

 

[Len]

I've tried many combos and have never been successful. My fish are all mean SOBs, it seems. People also say they can keep multiple fairy wrasse species together. I can't.

 

[WRASSER]

I put three dawrfs in at one time, they were bi-color, coral beauty and a mid night. the mid night didnt make it. the other rwo lived for five years together.
the catch is its a 150, it is possible depending on what else you have in the tank.

 

[Mike612]

I guess I'll just have to try and see what happens. I would love to try and mix them but if they don't mix well together, I can always put one of them into my other tank. I guess I'll just have to wait and see. If the lfs gets one but not both, I won't try it because I'll just want to grab whichever one's there. Thanks for the help.
Len, sorry to hear that you can't mix anything. I love how enthusiastic you are about it though. I laughed when I read that they were SOBs.

 

[ChrisRD]

As long as you have a back-up plan in the event that it doesn't work out, I'd give it a try. I tried mixing dwarfs one other time and was not successful, so IME, it can be done, but it's hit/miss.

 

[Mike612]

I'll see what happens. If the store gets both angels at the same time, I'll get both. Otherwise I'll stick to just one of them. Thanks for the feedback everyone!