A while back, I followed Tolak's very good advice and purchased some juvie angelfish and let them pair off. Two paired off quite a while ago and the rest were given back to the LFS where I got them. They are kept in a 36g bowfront that is 21" deep, and I really enjoy them, as they are very nice silver angelfish with good fins and very nice color. I never noticed spawning behavior, but when I checked on the tank late this morning, I see eggs on an anubia leaf in the top right corner of the tank. 
Over the leaf was my larger angel, fanning and cleaning the eggs, looking well-pleased with him/herself. Well, at least I know I've got one female anyways. 
Here are some pictures.
Eggs
Proud papa/mama. I didn't catch them in the act, so I've no idea who did what.
Same angelfish
Fanning the eggs. Again, this is the same fish.
Now for the questions. I've had angels breed for me before, way back when I first started, but no fry. Fungus, very typical, as the eggs were either not fertilized or because it was in a community tank and fungus took hold. I've bred other cichlids, mostly kribs. Now, I'm not interested in breeding (no time, no money, no space, but I like to watch), so this is just going to be for fun. Is it possible that an angelfish can go through the motions of breeding and even lay eggs on its own? I ask this because my second angelfish has not participated at all in the current breeding behavior. It doesn't fan, clean, nor help defend the nest site. It does its own thing really. There is no real aggression between the two and the breeding angelfish is really quite gentle with the other fish, just chasing them off when they get too close. I have also heard of female-only pairs spawning. Any thoughts?
Second question. When they first paired off, they were around the same size, with one being slightly larger. Now, both have grown and eaten well, but the one showing the breeding behavior is quite a bit larger than the other fish. Do Angelfish inhibit the growth of another, more subordinate angelfish in some way, possibly chemically? Don't get me wrong, the smaller fish is absolutely gorgeous and really healthy, just not as big, and is clearly subordinate to the much larger one.
I expect my Cherry barbs, Brochis, and C. pulcher will make short work of the eggs come morning, so I really just wanted to share what I think are some pretty ok shots and ask my two silly questions.
Have a great night, thanks in advance.
llj
Over the leaf was my larger angel, fanning and cleaning the eggs, looking well-pleased with him/herself. Well, at least I know I've got one female anyways. Here are some pictures.Eggs
Proud papa/mama. I didn't catch them in the act, so I've no idea who did what.
Same angelfish
Fanning the eggs. Again, this is the same fish.
Now for the questions. I've had angels breed for me before, way back when I first started, but no fry. Fungus, very typical, as the eggs were either not fertilized or because it was in a community tank and fungus took hold. I've bred other cichlids, mostly kribs. Now, I'm not interested in breeding (no time, no money, no space, but I like to watch), so this is just going to be for fun. Is it possible that an angelfish can go through the motions of breeding and even lay eggs on its own? I ask this because my second angelfish has not participated at all in the current breeding behavior. It doesn't fan, clean, nor help defend the nest site. It does its own thing really. There is no real aggression between the two and the breeding angelfish is really quite gentle with the other fish, just chasing them off when they get too close. I have also heard of female-only pairs spawning. Any thoughts?
Second question. When they first paired off, they were around the same size, with one being slightly larger. Now, both have grown and eaten well, but the one showing the breeding behavior is quite a bit larger than the other fish. Do Angelfish inhibit the growth of another, more subordinate angelfish in some way, possibly chemically? Don't get me wrong, the smaller fish is absolutely gorgeous and really healthy, just not as big, and is clearly subordinate to the much larger one.
I expect my Cherry barbs, Brochis, and C. pulcher will make short work of the eggs come morning, so I really just wanted to share what I think are some pretty ok shots and ask my two silly questions.
Have a great night, thanks in advance.
llj
