Bottom Dwellers
Adding bottom-dwelling fish like Corydoras catfish and certain types of Plecos can be a great complement to a Santa Isabel angelfish tank. These peaceful species occupy the lower levels of the aquarium, helping maintain cleanliness by scavenging leftover food and detritus. Their calm temperament and non-aggressive nature make them ideal tank mates, as they won’t compete with angelfish for territory or disrupt their behavior.
Albino Corydoras (Corydoras aeneus var. albino)
The Albino Corydoras is a variant of the Bronze Corydoras and is recognized by its striking white or pale pinkish body with red eyes. This species has the same peaceful nature and active behavior as the bronze variant, and it also enjoys schooling with others of its kind. Their vibrant, pale color stands out in aquariums and adds a beautiful contrast to darker fish like Santa Isabel Angelfish.
Tank Size:
Minimum 20 gallons for a group of 6–8 fish
Life Expectancy:
5–10 years
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 72–78°F (22–26°C)
pH: 6.0–7.5
Hardness: Soft to medium hard water
Food:
Omnivorous – Albino Corydoras eat sinking pellets, live/frozen foods like brine shrimp, bloodworms, and daphnia, and plant matter like zucchini, spinach, and other blanched vegetables.
Social Behavior:
Albino Corydoras are schooling fish that should be kept in groups of at least 6. They enjoy the company of their own kind and interact actively with each other, adding life to the bottom of the tank.
Temperament:
These Corydoras are peaceful and won’t compete with other species like your Santa Isabel Angelfish. Their calm demeanor makes them great bottom-dwellers in a community tank.
Compatibility:
Albino Corydoras are perfect for tanks with peaceful species like Santa Isabel Angelfish. Their scavenging behavior and social nature make them a beneficial addition to your aquarium.
Emerald Green Corydoras (Corydoras viridis)
The Emerald Green Corydoras is an elegant species known for its shimmering green body, which looks almost metallic in appearance. These Corydoras are active bottom-dwellers and are often seen foraging for food in the substrate. Their peaceful and social nature makes them a great choice for community tanks, and their unique coloration makes them an eye-catching addition.
Tank Size:
Minimum 20 gallons for a group of 6–8 fish
Life Expectancy:
5–7 years
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 74–80°F (23–27°C)
pH: 6.0–7.5
Hardness: Soft to medium hard water
Food:
Omnivorous – They will consume sinking pellets, live/frozen foods (such as brine shrimp, bloodworms), and plant matter like zucchini, peas, and spinach.
Social Behavior:
Emerald Green Corydoras are schooling fish that thrive in groups. They are peaceful and non-aggressive, often seen swimming together at the bottom of the tank.
Temperament:
Their peaceful temperament makes them a great addition to community tanks. They will not disturb your Santa Isabel Angelfish and will help with maintaining tank cleanliness by scavenging leftover food.
Compatibility:
These Corydoras are very compatible with peaceful fish like Santa Isabel Angelfish. They help keep the substrate clean without competing for food or space.
Panda Corydoras (Corydoras panda)
The Panda Corydoras is one of the most popular Corydoras species, easily recognizable by its white body and black markings, resembling the appearance of a panda. These small, peaceful catfish are known for their active behavior, often swimming in groups and foraging on the tank floor. They thrive in schools and are very social, making them ideal for a community tank.
Tank Size:
Minimum 20 gallons for a group of 6–8 fish
Life Expectancy:
5–7 years
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 72–78°F (22–26°C)
pH: 6.0–7.5
Hardness: Soft to medium hard water
Food:
Omnivorous – Panda Corydoras will eat sinking pellets, live/frozen foods like bloodworms and brine shrimp, and plant matter such as blanched zucchini or spinach. They will also scavenge leftovers from the substrate.
Social Behavior:
Panda Corydoras are schooling fish and should be kept in groups of at least 6–8. They are very peaceful and do best when surrounded by their own kind.
Temperament:
Panda Corydoras are gentle and peaceful, which makes them excellent companions for Santa Isabel Angelfish. They will not compete for food or space with the Angelfish and stay mostly at the bottom of the tank.
Compatibility:
Ideal tank mates for the Santa Isabel Angelfish as they won’t disrupt other fish, and their scavenging behavior helps keep the tank clean.
Bristlenose Pleco (Ancistrus sp.)
The Bristlenose Pleco is a small, hardy species known for the characteristic bristles on the males' noses. These bristles are more pronounced in males and give them a bushy appearance. Bristlenose plecos are great algae-eaters and will help keep your tank clean, especially from algae on plants, rocks, and glass. Unlike other larger plecos, the Bristlenose Pleco remains relatively small, making it ideal for smaller tanks.
Tank Size:
Minimum 25 gallons for a single pleco
Life Expectancy:
5–10 years
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 72–80°F (22–27°C)
pH: 6.5–7.5
Hardness: Soft to medium hard water
Food:
Herbivorous – Primarily algae, but will also accept sinking pellets, blanched vegetables (like zucchini, cucumbers, and spinach), and occasional protein such as bloodworms or brine shrimp.
Social Behavior:
Bristlenose plecos are relatively peaceful and can be kept in groups, though it’s generally recommended to keep one male per tank to avoid territorial disputes.
Temperament:
Very peaceful and unlikely to cause problems with other tank mates, including the Santa Isabel Angelfish.
Compatibility:
Excellent for community tanks, as it won’t disturb other fish and helps with keeping the tank clean.
Common Pleco (Hypostomus plecostomus)
The Common Pleco is one of the largest species of plecos, capable of growing up to 24 inches or more in length. While it is an effective algae eater, its size can quickly outgrow most home aquariums, making it unsuitable for smaller tanks. In large aquariums, however, it does a fantastic job of cleaning algae from the surfaces of the tank.
Tank Size:
Minimum 75 gallons (larger tanks are ideal)
Life Expectancy:
10–15 years
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 72–82°F (22–28°C)
pH: 6.5–7.5
Hardness: Soft to medium hard water
Food:
Herbivorous – Primarily algae, but also enjoys sinking pellets, blanched vegetables (e.g., zucchini, sweet potato), and occasional protein-rich foods such as shrimp or worms.
Social Behavior:
Typically peaceful but can become territorial as they grow larger. They may also uproot plants and disturb tank decor.
Temperament:
Common Plecos are peaceful but need a lot of space. Their size can be intimidating to smaller fish, so they are better suited for larger, more spacious tanks.
Compatibility:
Due to their size, the Common Pleco is best suited for tanks with larger fish. They can coexist with Santa Isabel Angelfish, but only in large tanks with ample space.
Clown Pleco (Panaqolus maccus)
The Clown Pleco is a small, peaceful pleco species with striking black and white markings that resemble the pattern of a clown’s costume. This pleco typically grows to around 3 to 4 inches and is a great option for smaller tanks. It’s an excellent algae eater and will help keep your tank clean, especially in hard-to-reach places. Unlike larger plecos, the Clown Pleco won’t outgrow a typical community tank, making it ideal for a variety of setups.
Tank Size:
Minimum 25 gallons
Life Expectancy:
5–10 years
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 74–80°F (23–27°C)
pH: 6.5–7.5
Hardness: Soft to medium hard water
Food:
Herbivorous – Primarily algae, but will also accept sinking pellets, blanched vegetables like zucchini or cucumber, and wood-based foods such as driftwood (which they will rasp on).
Social Behavior:
The Clown Pleco is peaceful and does not display territorial behaviors. It is a shy species that tends to hide during the day, becoming more active at night.
Temperament:
Very gentle and non-aggressive, making it an excellent companion for peaceful fish such as the Santa Isabel Angelfish.
Compatibility:
It is perfect for community tanks and will not pose any threat to other fish. It thrives in peaceful environments where there is plenty of space and hiding spots.