french angel needs what size tank?

[lynn53]

Like to hear the general concencus on whether a tank that is 6' long and 28" deep (180 gal) is large enough to house a french angel. The fish would be purchased when it was a very small size. It would be outside of some very small cleaner type fish the only fish.

thanks

 

[ccampbell57]

A 180 will be fine for 2-3 years. The frenchies get HUGE. I would say long term you need a 240+ once it hits 18-20" since it is as long as it is tall.

 

[mattsilvester]

I think with a french angle that the height and width of the tank is quite important. These fish are, as chris points out, as high as the are long......

Personally I would be looking for a tank that is about 30" high and wide, and at least 6' long.... preferably 8'..... if you plan on keeping it "forever"......

meanwhile.... 2-3 yrs your 180 should be fine....

 

[lesleybird]

From a fellow angelfish lover here is what I did....I have a Scribbled and a Majestic angel in my 6 foot by 2 foot by 26" tall tank that is just under 200 gallons (just put in two golden butterflies and they are all getting along). If you get some of the milder mannered angels like these you can mix two or three of them in the 180 gallon but it is best to add the larger ones last. My Majestic is fine with the Scribbled (after the first few weeks), and was even fine with a Goldflake that I had that died of worms. I think in a 180 it is best to stay with the angels that stay in the 10 to 12 inch range like the Majestic, Scribbled, Goldflake, Regal, and even a Flagfin......these angels are not as agressive as a large Queen or French angels that grow to 18 inches which is too wide for a 24" wide tank IMO. You can have more than one of the smaller large angels like the ones mentioned if you put the biggest ones in last or add them at the same time. As for your French angelfish I think that it would be unhappy in a 180 gallon tank when full grown. My angelfish also get along with the clowns, fairy wrasse, blennies and royal gramma without problems. Don't limit yourself to just one jumbo (although pretty) French angelfish that is too big to be happy in the 180 when these others can live out their lives in this size tank. Lesley

 

[FishGuy5]

CCampbell:

What kind of angel is that in your avatar?

 

[mattsilvester]

Fishguy - I'll answer for Chris.... its the uber expensive super dooper angelfish...... aka Clarion Angel

 

[baldomero]

i just put a six inch french in my tank over the weekend and its swimming fine in my 150 gallon

 

[lynn53]

Baldomero, I don't think it's because the fish won't swim in a smaller tank. It's the quality of life that fish is going to have because of it. I want to do what is fair to the specimen that I'm keeping. Compare it to the "goldfish bowl" they can survive for sometime in one...but most people agree thats it's basically cruel to keep goldfish for any length of time in one.
I've come to the conclusion that my tank would work for a few years or maybe more depending on how fast that particular species of fish grows. Then I'll be looking at re-homing him or buying a larger tank. Just my humble opinion.

 

[ccampbell57]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12119969#post12119969 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mattsilvester
I think with a french angle that the height and width of the tank is quite important. These fish are, as chris points out, as high as the are long......

LOL!! Yep that is the Clarion. It is my favorite fish in trade.