How To Id Angels

[SeanTrollope]

how do u ID if a angel is a male or femeil

 

[fluttermoth]

The only truly reliable way is to observe their breeding tube. None of the other methods are 100%, IME.

Some people, who have kept, bred and spent a lot of time around angels, can sex them by sight, but it's very much an acquired skill!

 

[Wills]

In mature adult Scalare - I have noticed that the males get a slight thickening of the skin between the mouth and the dorsal fin. But this is not an exact rule and I have noticed that its more noticeable on the wild type striped species.
 
Wills

 

[simonero]

I've read about how to determine based on breeding habits, determined I'd never know and accepted it.....  but I couldn't help but be curious with mine recently. In February I started out with 5 of approximately the same size, relatively young based on size and growth since.  They almost immediately killed off 2, presumably the weakest.  One died when I moved mid-August, probably for reasons related to moving.
 
Since then, I have noticed a huge size discrepancy between the remaining 2.  One is significantly bigger and dominant - and there is a clear, observable, behavioral hierarchy that both of them respect.  They get along well, but the big one is obviously alpha.  I've never seen them engage in breeding behavior, but I might not recognize it and I've never tried to make sure the conditions are just right (I don't want MORE fry of any type!).  But, does this large size difference and the dominance/submission behavior potentially imply a male/female angel pair?

 

[Byron]

The size would not, but the behaviours might.  If you had two males left, and one was as dominant as your info would suggest, the second male would be dead very quickly unless the tank is huge and he could escape well out of sight and sense.  So if they are tolerating each other, you may have a male/female pair.  A video of their interaction would likely let one of us confirm, if a video is possible.
 
Byron.

 

[Alasse]

You could have a dominant male and a submissive male......not all dominants will kill the same sex tank mate, they just keep them in their place., and sometimes they can be best buddies
 
Honestly the only way to be 100% sure of an angels sex is to view its breeding tubes.....everything else is a stab in the dark and based more on luck than good management