Will angelfish eat glass catfish?

No. Glass catfish reach 3-4 inches, which is large enough that angelfish do not view them as food. The size difference does not create a predator-prey dynamic.

How many glass catfish should I keep with angelfish?

Keep at least 6 glass catfish together for proper schooling behavior. A group of 6-8 glass catfish plus 1-2 angelfish works well in a 40-55 gallon tank. Smaller groups leave glass catfish stressed and reclusive.

What temperature works best for this combination?

Set the tank to 77-78F, which sits in the overlap zone. This keeps angelfish healthy without stressing glass catfish. Avoid swings above 79F or below 76F for either species.

Can glass catfish handle angelfish aggression?

Yes, as long as the angelfish are not actively breeding. Non-breeding angelfish mostly ignore glass catfish. A spawning pair will defend territory more aggressively, so provide tall plants and driftwood to create visual barriers.

Can Angelfish Live With Glass Catfish?

By Alex WalshLast reviewed Apr 18, 2026

Yes

Yes, angelfish and glass catfish coexist in a 30-gallon tank, with both species swimming in the middle column at overlapping temperatures.

Why

Both angelfish and glass catfish swim in the middle water column, but glass catfish at 3-4 inches are too large for an adult angel to consider prey.
Temperature overlap spans 76-79F, with angelfish preferring 80F and glass catfish preferring 76F.
pH ranges overlap from 6.0-7.5, covering both species comfortably.
Glass catfish are peaceful schooling fish that hold their own in mid-water alongside angelfish without triggering aggression.
A 30-gallon tank gives both species enough swimming space to avoid territorial friction.

Minimum shared tank

30 gallons

Shared temperature range

76-79°F

What could go wrong

A territorial breeding pair of angelfish may chase glass catfish away from their claimed section of the tank, causing stress to the schooling fish.

Gear for a shared tank

Sized for the 30 gallon minimum this pairing needs. Affiliate links — we earn a small commission if you buy through them.

AquaClear 70 Power Filter

Oversized filtration is what lets you stock two species together without water quality crashing. Rated for a tank slightly larger than the 30 gallon minimum.

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Eheim Jager 200W Thermostat Heater

Holds a steady temperature inside the 76-79°F window both species need.

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API Freshwater Master Test Kit

Keep ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate in check. Two-species tanks have more bioload and less margin for error than single-species setups.

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