Can Angelfish Live With Swordtail?
Maybe, with caveats. Angelfish are cichlids that can be territorial and aggressive, and swordtails may trigger that behavior depending on the individual angel.
Why
- Angelfish reach 6-8 inches tall and need at least 30 gallons. A full-grown angel outweighs a swordtail significantly.
- Swordtails at 4-5 inches are too large for most angelfish to eat, but they still enter the angel's strike zone.
- Temperature overlap of 76-82°F and pH overlap of 7-7.5 work for both species.
- Angelfish can be aggressive toward livebearers, especially during breeding. Swordtails are livebearers that may spawn in the tank.
- Individual angelfish temperaments vary widely. Some ignore swordtails entirely while others claim the tank and attack anything that moves.
What could go wrong
An aggressive angelfish will chase and attack swordtails, especially when breeding, potentially causing injuries or deaths.
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.
Eheim Jager 200W Thermostat Heater
Holds a steady temperature inside the 76-82°F window both species need.
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.
Better pairings to consider
Tetras larger than 2 inches, such as Buenos Aires tetras or Congo tetras, pair more safely with angelfishes.
Related compatibility questions
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