Emperor Angelfish Tank Mates
Emperor Angelfish is semi-aggressive, so its tank mates need choosing with care. Here are the 30 freshwater species that pair well with an emperor angelfish — plus the 2 to avoid — with a live checker you can tune to your own tank.
The best tank mates for an emperor angelfish
- Clown Goby ✅ CompatibleEasy care · Peaceful · 4 cm · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 24–27 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Neon Goby ✅ CompatibleEasy care · Peaceful · 5 cm · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 24–27 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Banggai Cardinalfish ✅ CompatibleEasy care · Peaceful · 8 cm · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–27 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Blue Damselfish ✅ CompatibleEasy care · Semi-aggressive · 8 cm · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–27 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Firefish ✅ CompatibleEasy care · Peaceful · 8 cm · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 24–27 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Green Chromis ✅ CompatibleEasy care · Peaceful · 8 cm · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 24–27 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Ocellaris Clownfish ✅ CompatibleEasy care · Semi-aggressive · 8 cm · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)Semi-aggressive + Semi-aggressive, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 24–27 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Percula Clownfish ✅ CompatibleEasy care · Semi-aggressive · 8 cm · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–27 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Royal Gramma ✅ CompatibleEasy care · Peaceful · 8 cm · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Six Line Wrasse ✅ CompatibleEasy care · Semi-aggressive · 8 cm · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–27 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Yellow Watchman Goby ✅ CompatibleEasy care · Peaceful · 9 cm · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–27 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Bicolor Blenny ✅ CompatibleEasy care · Semi-aggressive · 10 cm · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–27 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Coral Beauty Angelfish ✅ CompatibleEasy care · Semi-aggressive · 10 cm · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)Semi-aggressive + Semi-aggressive, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 24–27 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Yellow Coris Wrasse ✅ CompatibleEasy care · Peaceful · 12 cm · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–27 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Lawnmower Blenny ✅ CompatibleEasy care · Peaceful · 13 cm · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–27 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Clarkii Clownfish ✅ CompatibleEasy care · Semi-aggressive · 14 cm · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)Semi-aggressive + Semi-aggressive, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 24–27 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Tomato Clownfish ✅ CompatibleEasy care · Semi-aggressive · 14 cm · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)Semi-aggressive + Semi-aggressive, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 24–27 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Flame Angelfish ✅ CompatibleMedium care · Semi-aggressive · 10 cm · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)Semi-aggressive + Semi-aggressive, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Melanurus Wrasse ✅ CompatibleMedium care · Semi-aggressive · 12 cm · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–27 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Bicolor Angelfish ✅ CompatibleMedium care · Semi-aggressive · 15 cm · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–27 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Diamond Goby ✅ CompatibleMedium care · Peaceful · 15 cm · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Kole Tang ✅ CompatibleMedium care · Semi-aggressive · 18 cm · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)Semi-aggressive + Semi-aggressive, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 24–27 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Yellow Tang ✅ CompatibleMedium care · Semi-aggressive · 20 cm · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)Semi-aggressive + Semi-aggressive, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Foxface Rabbitfish ✅ CompatibleMedium care · Semi-aggressive · 24 cm · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–27 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
Emperor Angelfish tank mates that can work with care
- Queen Angelfish ⚠️ With cautionHard care · Semi-aggressive · 45 cm · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)Two large angel (Emperor Angelfish + Queen Angelfish) will likely battle over territory — keep one per tank, or only in a large system with both added together.
- Regal Angelfish ⚠️ With cautionHard care · Semi-aggressive · 25 cm · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)Two large angel (Emperor Angelfish + Regal Angelfish) will likely battle over territory — keep one per tank, or only in a large system with both added together.
Fish to avoid keeping with an emperor angelfish
- Maroon Clownfish ⛔ AvoidMedium care · Aggressive · 15 cm · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)Emperor Angelfish and Maroon Clownfish are both territorial and at least one is outright aggressive — expect serious fighting.
- Domino Damselfish ⛔ AvoidEasy care · Aggressive · 14 cm · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)Two assertive fish, one genuinely aggressive: Emperor Angelfish and Domino Damselfish will hold territory and clash.
Check any fish against an emperor angelfish
Dial in your exact tank size and filter by result — the checker scores every species in our database against an emperor angelfish, with the reasoning for each verdict.
Tank-mate checker
Will it live with a Emperor Angelfish?
We compare each fish against your emperor angelfish on temperament, size, water parameters and swimming zone. Set your tank size and filter the results.
- Banggai Cardinalfish✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 8 cm · Easy care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–27 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Bicolor Angelfish✅ CompatibleSemi-aggressive · 15 cm · Medium care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–27 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Bicolor Blenny✅ CompatibleSemi-aggressive · 10 cm · Easy care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–27 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Blue Damselfish✅ CompatibleSemi-aggressive · 8 cm · Easy care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–27 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Blue Tang✅ CompatibleSemi-aggressive · 30 cm · Medium care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–27 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Clarkii Clownfish✅ CompatibleSemi-aggressive · 14 cm · Easy care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Semi-aggressive, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 24–27 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Cleaner Wrasse✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 11 cm · Hard care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 24–27 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Coral Beauty Angelfish✅ CompatibleSemi-aggressive · 10 cm · Easy care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Semi-aggressive, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 24–27 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Diamond Goby✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 15 cm · Medium care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Firefish✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 8 cm · Easy care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 24–27 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Flame Angelfish✅ CompatibleSemi-aggressive · 10 cm · Medium care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Semi-aggressive, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Foxface Rabbitfish✅ CompatibleSemi-aggressive · 24 cm · Medium care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–27 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Green Chromis✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 8 cm · Easy care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 24–27 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Keep Green Chromis in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Kole Tang✅ CompatibleSemi-aggressive · 18 cm · Medium care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Semi-aggressive, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 24–27 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Lawnmower Blenny✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 13 cm · Easy care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–27 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Mandarin Dragonet✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 8 cm · Hard care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 24–27 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Melanurus Wrasse✅ CompatibleSemi-aggressive · 12 cm · Medium care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–27 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Naso Tang✅ CompatibleSemi-aggressive · 45 cm · Hard care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Semi-aggressive, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 24–27 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Purple Tang✅ CompatibleSemi-aggressive · 25 cm · Medium care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Semi-aggressive, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Sailfin Tang✅ CompatibleSemi-aggressive · 40 cm · Medium care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Semi-aggressive, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Tomato Clownfish✅ CompatibleSemi-aggressive · 14 cm · Easy care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Semi-aggressive, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 24–27 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Yellow Coris Wrasse✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 12 cm · Easy care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–27 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Yellow Tang✅ CompatibleSemi-aggressive · 20 cm · Medium care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Semi-aggressive, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Yellow Watchman Goby✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 9 cm · Easy care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–27 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Queen Angelfish⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 45 cm · Hard care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Two large angel (Emperor Angelfish + Queen Angelfish) will likely battle over territory — keep one per tank, or only in a large system with both added together.
- Regal Angelfish⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 25 cm · Hard care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Two large angel (Emperor Angelfish + Regal Angelfish) will likely battle over territory — keep one per tank, or only in a large system with both added together.
- Domino Damselfish⛔ Not recommendedAggressive · 14 cm · Easy care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Two assertive fish, one genuinely aggressive: Emperor Angelfish and Domino Damselfish will hold territory and clash.
- Maroon Clownfish⛔ Not recommendedAggressive · 15 cm · Medium care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Emperor Angelfish and Maroon Clownfish are both territorial and at least one is outright aggressive — expect serious fighting.
Compatibility is computed from each species' care data — a strong starting point, not a guarantee. Individual temperament varies, so always introduce new fish slowly and watch them.
Setting up an emperor angelfish community tank
Give the group a stable, planted 850 L+ tank with a gentle filter, a reliable heater and plenty of cover — broken sight lines and hiding spots let mid-water and bottom dwellers keep out of each other's way. Cycle it fully and stock gradually.
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How to choose the right tank mates for an emperor angelfish
Being semi-aggressive, emperor angelfish can nip or harass smaller, slower or long-finned fish — give it space, broken sight-lines and similarly robust companions. It ranges across the whole water column, so tank mates that keep to one level help reduce friction.
Emperor Angelfish grows to about 38 cm, so avoid tank mates small enough to be seen as food — as a rule of thumb, skip anything under roughly 19 cm. Match its water, too: aim for 24–27 °C (75–81 °F), pH 8–8.4 and 8–12 dGH. Fish needing very different conditions — coldwater species, or hard-water lovers against a soft-water fish — rarely thrive side by side.
Emperor Angelfish doesn't need its own kind to feel secure; think twice before keeping more than one if it is territorial. Whatever you add, introduce new fish slowly, watch for bullying in the first days, and have a backup plan if temperaments clash.
Frequently asked questions
Can an emperor angelfish live with other fish?
Yes — with the right companions. Our checker finds 30 compatible freshwater species for emperor angelfish. Pick calm, similarly-sized fish that share its water needs and add them to a mature, well-planted tank.
What is the best tank mate for an emperor angelfish?
Easy, peaceful, similarly-sized species top the list — for example Clown Goby, Neon Goby, Banggai Cardinalfish. Use the checker above to match against your own tank size.
What fish should you avoid keeping with an emperor angelfish?
Avoid Maroon Clownfish, Domino Damselfish and similar — usually a temperature, size or temperament clash. The full "avoid" list below gives the reason for each.
How big a tank do emperor angelfish tank mates need?
Start from Emperor Angelfish's own minimum and scale up with every addition. The checker above defaults to a 850 L community tank and flags pairings that need more room — drag the slider to match your setup.