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Compatibility

Compatibility brief

Can Angelfish live with Rummy Nose Tetra?

Angelfish

Angelfish

Pterophyllum scalare

semi-aggressive~20cm
Rummy Nose Tetra

Rummy Nose Tetra

Hemigrammus rhodostomus

peaceful~5cm
VerdictCAUTION

Caution. Check the issues below before buying.

Angelfish + Rummy Nose Tetra: Temperament difference. Angelfish is semi-aggressive, while Rummy Nose Tetra is peaceful. Expect chasing or stress unless the tank is large and heavily structured — monitor closely. Outcomes still depend on your tank shape, maintenance routine, and individual fish.

Compatibility score

72/100

Profile confidence: medium

Order of checkstank volume vs adults → predation mouth gap → temperament / fin nipping → shared water windows.

Min tank

150L

Combined minimum footprint reference for these two species: about 150L (larger active fish often want more length).

Temperature
Range in °C24–28°C shared
AngelfishRummy Nose TetraShared window
pH
Range6.5–7 shared
AngelfishRummy Nose TetraShared window
Size / predation

Angelfish (20cm adult) may treat small Rummy Nose Tetra (~5cm) as food once grown — plan adult sizes, not shop sizes.

Temperament / behaviour

Rummy-nose tetras are larger soft-water schoolers that usually avoid the neon-sized mouth-gap problem with adult angelfish. That is not automatic safety. Angels still read as semi-aggressive cichlids: a pair claiming a vertical slice can chase, stress, or nip fins even when swallowing is unlikely. Rummies also blanch when bullied — pale noses are an early stress signal. The limit is cichlid hierarchy and spawn-time aggression, not assumed predation like neons.

Assessment details

  1. Temperament difference

    Top issue

    Angelfish is semi-aggressive, while Rummy Nose Tetra is peaceful. Expect chasing or stress unless the tank is large and heavily structured — monitor closely.

  2. Compatible temperature range

    Both fish can comfortably share similar water temperatures.

“Angelfish is semi-aggressive, while Rummy Nose Tetra is peaceful”

Temperament difference

Next steps

Concrete changes, not "research more" filler.

  • •Use a tall mature tank with eight or more rummies in soft stable water, and treat the angel as a centrepiece you monitor. Rehome rummies at sustained chasing, clamped fins, or a school that will not use open water.
  • •Provide plenty of hiding spots and visual breaks so Rummy Nose Tetra can escape if harassed.
  • •Rummy Nose Tetra should be kept in a group of at least 8 for best health and behaviour.
Sources from both profiles
Only URLs that exist on the species records are shown. We do not fabricate citations.
  • Seriously Fish. Pterophyllum scalare

    Primary: aquarium size, water chemistry, behaviour, and compatibility (URL verified in upgrade script; recheck if site content changes).

  • FishBase. Pterophyllum scalare

    Secondary: taxonomy, distribution, and maximum length in nature; cross-check with aquarium import lines and measured tank parameters.

  • Wikipedia. Pterophyllum scalare

    Secondary: general species context; verify all husbandry numbers against a dedicated aquarium care sheet and your test kit, not a single table row.

  • Seriously Fish. Hemigrammus rhodostomus

    Primary: aquarium size, water chemistry, behaviour, and compatibility (URL verified in upgrade script; recheck if site content changes).

  • FishBase. Hemigrammus rhodostomus

    Secondary: taxonomy, distribution, and maximum length in nature; cross-check with aquarium import lines and measured tank parameters.

  • Wikipedia. Hemigrammus rhodostomus

    Secondary: general species context; verify all husbandry numbers against a dedicated aquarium care sheet and your test kit, not a single table row.

Try this next

Build the full stocking list with Angelfish + Rummy Nose Tetra

Compare another pairOpen tank builder

Plan further

Check each species’ mates list, size the glass, then verify the full stock in the builder. Methodology explains how verdicts are produced.

Individual fish vary in personality. Fishori uses conservative hobby rules. Observe any new introduction closely, feed thoughtfully, and keep a quarantine or backup plan. This is not veterinary advice.

Profile data confidence: high. Checked against several solid care sources that mostly agree.

Full tank-mate guides

Related pair checks

Angelfish + Rummy Nose Tetra — common questions

Can Angelfish live with Rummy Nose Tetra?
Yes, if you plan for it. The verdict is CAUTION: adult angelfish can stress or bully rummy-nose tetras even though they are not automatic neon-style prey. Watch territory and fin condition when angels pair.
What tank size do you need for Angelfish and Rummy Nose Tetra together?
Plan around 150 litres as the working minimum. That figure comes from each species' published minimum and their group needs, and it assumes adult sizes, not shop sizes.
What's the main risk?
Temperament difference. That is the first thing to plan around. The matching entry under assessment details on this page explains the reasoning and the numbers behind it.
What should you check before buying?
Provide plenty of hiding spots and visual breaks so Rummy Nose Tetra can escape if harassed. Rummy Nose Tetra should be kept in a group of at least 8 for best health and behaviour.