So, About My Angelfish.....

[Mr Melt]

Allright lads!

I've had my 2 Longfin Angels (Marble and Shadow) for quite some time now (anything between 6-8 months; I forget =P).
I'm interested in their behaviour; I was told when I got them that they were an aggressive species and very territorial - on the other hand my 2 Angels have never touched another fish in the tank (I should even add that they live in that thing with a Discus yet they still get on =P).

Second, they often swim together (and as far as I am aware sleep together too); I have never seen them jawlock or nip each others fins. I should add that they don't swim together all the time, but it IS something they do a lot.

I should also describe their sizes; Marble is the biggest (by far); about 2 inches in height (not including the fins; just the body) - Shadow is slightly smaller (around 1.5 in body height) - they were both absolutely titchy when I got them (almost doubled in size since introducing them to the tank). I also know that they should be bigger, but I only feed the tank once every 2 days (to ensure no ammonia spiking).

So my point is this: could they possibly become a mated pair? It just seems that their behaviour contradicts that of normal Angelfish. I should also note that about 4 months ago I noticed a pink protrusion on Shadow, near the ventral fins. I assumed this was the papilla, and as a result I think Shadow is female. Is this assumption correct, and does this suggest potential breeding behaviour?

Sorry I know I'm all over the place with my questions, but I'm genuinely interested in my wee Angels behaviour here =P

Here are photos of the two =P

Marble (possibly male):

Shadow (possibly female):

Both of them in their "sleeping spot":

 

[SaTiVa1984]

Hi

They usually fight gently with each other when pairing at first (locking mouths), after that they will always swim together or close to each other, and will certainly claim a part of the tank as their own, when they are ready for laying eggs they will start to clean a surface for a few days, and become very aggressive with other angels, if they lay eggs they will attack anything that comes close or tries to eat them.

I currently have 2 breeding pairs in my tank, and the behaviour of them has become very worrying, so bad infact that i have had to give away a pair to a close friend.

The pink protrusion you speak of is certainly the papilla, they were probably laying eggs or had just finished when you saw that. The only way to really determine the sex of each fish is when they are laying, the females papilla is more rounded, where as the males is smaller and slightly pointy.

Hope this helps.

 

[Mr Melt]

Thanks.

Regarding the Papilla; I scoured the tank for evidence of egglaying, but could find none in the tank. Could it have been an aborted attempt?

Second; since adding them to the tank they have not even fought once; is it possible that they could have become a pair in the shop before I bought them (as unlikely as that sounds)?

 

[SaTiVa1984]

Thanks.

Regarding the Papilla; I scoured the tank for evidence of egglaying, but could find none in the tank. Could it have been an aborted attempt?

Second; since adding them to the tank they have not even fought once; is it possible that they could have become a pair in the shop before I bought them (as unlikely as that sounds)?

All sounds possible, especially if they are still young, and came from the same tank as baby's.

If you have other fish in the tank the eggs could have been eaten within minutes, i also have discus in my tank, and they eat the eggs as soon as they notice them, the angels go berserk and attack my discus taking chunks out of them (this is why i am removing a pair) luckily so far i have had no problems from their wounds. Also my plec can hover up a patch of eggs in seconds, so its quite possible you could of missed the spawning.