Angel for 100 gallon

10 inches is really the max for a Navarchus...and it would take years for a baby specimin to get there...they are slow growers but change their colors fast...imo, they are also the prettiest baby angel...a wonderful fish in every respect....but only as a very small baby is this tank suitable...will need an upgrade....Annularis is a much bigger fish as an adult, much thicker, more aggressive...max for an Annularis is 45cm...max for a Navarchus is 25cm....that is an enormous difference....
 
Annularis will get to 12" in the wild, but the largest specimen I've seen (even in large tanks) is around 10", so I'm basing my suggestion on that. A 10", fat, aggressive annularis angel cannot live in a 48" x 18" footprint, period. a 72" x 24" footprint MAY be ok, but that's a big if. I would recommend at least a 96" x 24" footprint for a full-grown adult annularis.

Navarchus angel will get to 10-12" in the wild, but most of the time only gets to 8" in captivity, and that will take years and years. I own one so I know. A standard 180g (72" x 24" x 24") will be a good long-term home for a navarchus, but I really wouldn't go smaller unless the tank is lightly stocked, but it'd still have to be at least a 125g (72" x 18" x 22").

Sometimes it's hard for hobbyists to imagine how big a full-grown fish is compared to its juvenile size, which is almost always the size sold in the store. To put into perspective, take a 3" juvenile Navarchus angel, multiply that size by 5, then you get the idea of how it's going to look when it's full grown. An 8" adult navarchus angel is not just 3 times bigger than a 3" juvenile, but would be around 5 times bigger because it'll gain girth as well! If your tank looks just just "big enough" for the juvenile, it's too small for the adult!
 
Annularis will get to 12" in the wild, but the largest specimen I've seen (even in large tanks) is around 10", so I'm basing my suggestion on that. A 10", fat, aggressive annularis angel cannot live in a 48" x 18" footprint, period. a 72" x 24" footprint MAY be ok, but that's a big if. I would recommend at least a 96" x 24" footprint for a full-grown adult annularis.

Navarchus angel will get to 10-12" in the wild, but most of the time only gets to 8" in captivity, and that will take years and years. I own one so I know. A standard 180g (72" x 24" x 24") will be a good long-term home for a navarchus, but I really wouldn't go smaller unless the tank is lightly stocked, but it'd still have to be at least a 125g (72" x 18" x 22").

Sometimes it's hard for hobbyists to imagine how big a full-grown fish is compared to its juvenile size, which is almost always the size sold in the store. To put into perspective, take a 3" juvenile Navarchus angel, multiply that size by 5, then you get the idea of how it's going to look when it's full grown. An 8" adult navarchus angel is not just 3 times bigger than a 3" juvenile, but would be around 5 times bigger because it'll gain girth as well! If your tank looks just just "big enough" for the juvenile, it's too small for the adult!

In recent years, I have somewhat rationalised my opinion on keeping angels, and other big fish. My life experience has brought me to my current opinion.

5 years ago, we had just done a major renovation of our home in Ireland. I was happy in my job and I could not imagine anything causing me to move - so I set up a 240 with a view to growing a juv. emporer angel to a 12" plus adult, and keeping it forwever..... then I lost my job..... 12 months later I lost that job..... 12 months later, on the verge of loosing a 3rd I took the decision to relocate to Asia - Bangkok, Thailand. My point is this - life changes and with the best will in the world if you cannot assure the future of your fmaily, then the fish come secondary. I have come to believe that 2-3 years is about as "long term" as one can plan these days. So - for a fish like a navarchus angel, I would estimate 1" per year growth .... so a 3" will reach 6" in about 3 years.

With this in mind - a 48" tank is 8 times longer than a 6" fish. I wold be comfortable with that. So, I reckon the OP would have about 3 years grace, then either upgrade or trade the fish.

I would add the following caveats; if you are going to be emotionally unable to trade a fish, then don't do it. Don't apply this to fish that will be hard to shift - like panther groupers. Be aware that you will get small money for your prized fish when you want to trade him back - it is not an investment. Stock lightly, and be prepared.
 
Don't get a Majestic angelfish Period. IMO they are a bad choice for a 48" long aquarium, I completely disagree with Mattsilvester. Look into Genicanthus, they are very pretty.
 
How about a blueline? I have no experience with them, but want one really bad.
From what I understand they are one of the smaller large angels and typically has a peaceful personality.
 
My LFS said that they never had one that they didn't have to treat or some kind of parasites. Also,they are aggressive.
 
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