Angelfish - The Time Has Come! Help Asap :(

[Sophie]

After buying six baby Angels about 8 months ago I knew the time would come soon enough that the likelihood of getting a pair was very high.

For the benefit of the post I have:
Black
Silver
Grey
Yellow
Tri Colour 1
Tri Colour 2

Black, Silver & Grey are the biggest.

Now a few days ago Black and Grey were following each other around quite closely.
Grey began chasing away and displaying to all the other group members but not being aggressive to Black.

Silver was determined to butt in a lot and was also chasing the others away but was being bullied by Grey and as of today, Black as well who has been relatively peaceful until today especially in comparison to Grey who is being the big I am.

After a little fin rip on Yellow I moved Tri Colour 1&2 and Yellow into another tank. Stress coated and added some Melafix for the fin damage.

Continued to monitor the other three. There would be times when Grey, Black and Silver would shoal together happily. Others Silver and Grey would be in a stand off.

I moved Black and Grey into a tank on their own and put Silver into the bigger tank with Yellow and Tri 1&2. Silver is now being slightly pushy and 'funny' with the other three even though technically there's nothing to be nasty about.


Thanks for reading my little anecdote and if you got your head around it, great aha!

Now - Does this seem like pairing behaviour between Grey and Black?

What has gotten into Silver or is it hormones?

Could I be looking at re-homing Silver as he's currently the odd one out?

I stupidly have gotten myself so attached to them all and got myself really worked up over it. I just want the best for them

Any advice on where to go next would be fab.


Thank you.

 

[NeonBlueLeon]

Sounds like a well written drama to me!  I honestly have no experience with angels, but this is so exciting!  As general fish-keeping advice, give silver some time to readjust to the new tank and absence of tank mates before making a decision.
 
I second the whole attachment to fish thing.  I hurts to give away fish you've nurtured and watch grow!
 
Now let's have a real angel expert give you some actual advice.

 

[Sophie]

Sounds like a well written drama to me!  I honestly have no experience with angels, but this is so exciting!  As general fish-keeping advice, give silver some time to readjust to the new tank and absence of tank mates before making a decision.
 
I second the whole attachment to fish thing.  I hurts to give away fish you've nurtured and watch grow!
 
Now let's have a real angel expert give you some actual advice.

On the latest episode of Fish Street!

 

[Sophie]

No one?

 

[TwoTankAmin]

When they start to pair you should see them seeking out a spot on which to spawn. They will clean it and this is an easy behavior to spot. You can also look to see if any of them have their tubes extended. The tube will be between the ventrals and the anal fin. Here is a poor pic of one of my old DD blacks with the tube way out.

 
Basically, once in spawning mode, angels become devils. They will seek to drive off almost anything else from their chosen spot. They are, after all, cichlids.

 

[Sophie]

When they start to pair you should see them seeking out a spot on which to spawn. They will clean it and this is an easy behavior to spot. You can also look to see if any of them have their tubes extended. The tube will be between the ventrals and the anal fin. Here is a poor pic of one of my old DD blacks with the tube way out.

 
Basically, once in spawning mode, angels become devils. They will seek to drive off almost anything else from their chosen spot. They are, after all, cichlids.

 
Thanks for the response, for the time being I've made temporary accommodation for the bully while I decide what to do :'(
 

 

[Axyadbad]

Loving Fish Street and the angels..and
Sorry to butt in on this post... but can an angel be kept on it's own? And would it be ok in a 100x40x50cm tank?

 

[Sophie]

Loving Fish Street and the angels..and
Sorry to butt in on this post... but can an angel be kept on it's own? And would it be ok in a 100x40x50cm tank?

 
 
To be fair, one on it's own would be perfect.
That's adequate enough by far (if by my calculations it's 200L?)
 
I got six originally to boost my chances of getting a mating pair. Now I'm in trouble because I'm attached to them all and they're getting hormonal!

 

[Shelster]

I'm guessing you don't have room for 5 200litre tanks?

Have you any friends who look after aquariums correctly with the right size for one?

I don't like the thought of rehoming fish either

 

[Sophie]

I'm guessing you don't have room for 5 200litre tanks?

Have you any friends who look after aquariums correctly with the right size for one?

I don't like the thought of rehoming fish either

 
Well I plucked up the courage and just did it.
Didn't think about it which helped.
 
Re-homed to my local Maidenhead Aquatics. Just opened a couple of months ago, and he said he was planning on doing a display tank of South American Cichlids so they were just what he was looking for.
 
Makes me feel better they won't be going to someone who I don't know how they'll look after them.
And I can see them every time I visit the store
 
I have kept Black and Grey, the hopeful pair. Just have to wait and see what happens now.
 
Leaves me with an empty tank 

 

[Shelster]

Excellent! That's brilliant, they will be in a lovely big tank too!

Ooh so what size tank is empty now? any stocking ideas?

 

[Sophie]

Excellent! That's brilliant, they will be in a lovely big tank too!

Ooh so what size tank is empty now?

any stocking ideas?

 
My signature lies a little, the 260L is correct, but the Clowns are still in the 94L while I cycle the 200L. But that's where they'll end up as their second to last home (which will eventually be the 600-800L).
 
I really want a pair of baby Oscars. Red Tiger and an Albino. Of course my concern is them eating my Clowns. But they'll go into the 600-800L once out growing the 200L (which won't take long but neither will the bigger tank as I'm moving soon!).
 
The final stocking of the 600-800 would be 2 x Oscars, 1 x Fire Eel and 6 x Clown Loach and that'd be it. I know Oscars and Fire Eels are fast growers so could grow comfortably alongside each other but the clowns..
 
You can see my dilemma?
 
 
 
 
 
On an off note, Truro P@H, what's it like?
My store in Salisbury, are in competition with them. We're constantly swapping 1st and 2nd positions!

 

[Shelster]

Ha ha, to be honest I tend to not go there, I use maidenhead aquatics in carnon downs for most of my stock, have a good rapport with them and buy them choccies at Christmas time

Next time I head out that way ill call in and have a butchers and let you know.

I remember popping in there to get some bird food once and did skim the fish section for bettas, but they didnt have any. I used carnon MA as Truro p&h didn't sell RO when I needed it - now I have my own.

Ooh oscars, I would like them too