Angelfish Attacks

[flippajh]

Hi, I have a pair of regularly spawning Angelfish, very large male, much smaller female, they've only managed to get to wigglers twice, but they're in a 200 litre community tank, have had them both now for over a year and a half. Male two years.

They are the only two Angelfish in the tank, the rest are just peaceful community fish, cherry barbs, platys, a few neons (none eaten yet), and then quite a few bottom feeders.

Yesterday evening I noticed the male absolutely laying into the smaller female, she was stuck in the corner of the tank behind a plant and he was just going for her, he shot off as I stood up and went over, she came out for a bit, but every time she moved he just pummled her into the side of the tank.

I've never seen this behaviour before, usually they swim round the tank together, looking for a leaf to clean to lay their eggs on.

The only thing I can see is that her tail looks a bit shredded - do you think he senses she's ill and is attacking her?

I've re-arranged some of the bigger plants to try and get some cover in there for her, but she was just hiding away this morning when I left for work.

My main problem is the only other tank I have is not really big enough for her and it also houses my betta, endlers and shrimp, which I think she will attack or eat.

Anyone got any suggestions? I've started with the Melafix for her tail, water parameters all spot on and no new additions for about 8 weeks now.

Thanks

 

[hamfist]

Worrying behaviour.

To start with I would separate them if at all possible. Ideally, remove him if you can, so he becomes the "newbie" when you re-introduce him.
If you can't remove him, can you put in a divider to separate him in a section on his own.

Let her recover and then try re-introducing him. it may work, or it may not. Might be the end of their happy relationship, unfortunately.

 

[flippajh]

Thanks for this, as she's a bit smaller - she's found a hidey hole in front of my mopani wood that he can't get to her and I've managed to get some food to fall right in front of her which she's gobbled up - so she's not too bothered by it all, trouble is he's just huge his body is about 3 1/2 inches and with his fins, he's just massive!! I do have a friend who has a spare tank but it's only about 45cm tall x 30cm x 30cm, I don't think this will be suitable for him really. Mind you if it's just for a few days and I have a re-arrange of the tank, perhaps it might work. Its such a shame as they make a lovely pair! Will give it a go.

 

[hamfist]

I do have a friend who has a spare tank but it's only about 45cm tall x 30cm x 30cm,

That will be fine for a few days. Just make sure that you either have a mature filter on the tank, or you do big water changes every day.