Angelfish Mating Or Aggresion

[LaurieLou]

This is kind of weird, at least I think it is. Hopefully, someone knows the answer to this question. We have a 55 gallon planted tank with 4 angelfish, 3 platies, 3 otos, and a rubbernose plec. Two of our angelfish paired off and yesterday laid eggs. The female is Skunky, the male Blackie (we now know this for sure!). Anyway, they did their thing, and were aggresive to the other fish, totally normal. I woke up this morning and the eggs were gone, which I expected also. The pair are not guarding the "spot" anymore, but Skunky, who I know is a female is standing off and acting weird with Spot. I dont know if Spot is a male or female, but they are locking lips and swimming all over the tank like that. Then sit there and stare at each other, then back up, move back together, lock lips. Now, I am reading different explanations for this. Some are saying it is a sign of mating, others fighting. I am having a hard time believing it is mating as Blackie is definitly the mate of Skunky. I mean, they don't change mates the next day right? But, I have also read that it is the males that do the fighting, not the females. I just don't want any fish to get hurt. There are plenty of hiding spots and plants, so I don't know if that is the problem. So, any thoughts? Thanks so much for any input you may have.

 

[Tolak]

Angels will switch mates, and threesomes, while rare, are not unheard of. The lip locking, and facing each other while shaking & jabbing at each other is usually a sign of either pairing, or figuring out the pecking order. Aggression is usually seen with one fish standing their ground for a second, but when the charge begins from the more aggressive fish the less aggressive fish will flee.

Females will fight, just the same as males. From what I've seen the female is more likely to fan & guard the eggs when they have spawned, while the male does more of a perimeter patrol, keeping other fish away. This is common cichlid behavior.

I would keep an eye on the 4th angel, as if you do get a threesome this fish will be a major target of aggression, 3 against 1. It won't be but a couple of hours before the 4th angel is shredded, or worse. Keep a divider handy at the very least.

 

[LaurieLou]

Well, Tolak, yet again, you are a fountain if information. I never would have dreamed angels could possibly pick another mate, or that they could be a threesome. The two have been lip locking all day off and on, but other than that, and the standing off, there has been no other aggression. We have been keeping a close eye on them all, especially the 4th, Spike, because he is my baby and I will not let anything happen to him(her). We do have another cycled tank set up just in case things get a little hairy. Thanks again Tolak.

 

[Straydum]

i have never heard of a threesome for angels. this is so new to me. lol.

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

i have never heard of a threesome for angels. this is so new to me. lol.

Neither did I, till someone posted on the forum about getting a new Angel, and the other 2 and him breeding together!

 

[Straydum]

so its like having 2 spawns and both being fertilized? either that or a spawn with 2 males fertilizing it. there's bound to be some conflict going on.