Strange Angel behavior........

[silver]

Let me start from the beginning. I had one tank, a 55 gallon. In it were my Silvers, 3 Angels, gouramis, etc. After I set my 29 gallon up a few weeks back, I put in 1 Angel, he was kind of the loaner, my BP and 2 gouramis.

Well, in my 55 gallon now I have my 4 Silvers, 2 Black Angels, Gourami and Pleco. Ever since I took those 4 fish out of the 55, the 2 Black Angels that are still in there are acting sort of wierd. You see, I only have one light on my 55 gallon now because I used one for my 29gll. This is fine seeing as how the Silvers like the dark anyways. Even when I had 2 lights I would most often only turn 1 on so my Silvers would have there side to feel more comfortable in.

Well, my 2 Black Angels have TAKEN OVER the darker side of the tank. They nip any and all fish who try to go over that way. Could they be mating or do Angels just do this........I have had them for over a year and I've never seen this behavior. Could it be now that the Gold Angel is outa'there they feel as though they can mate.............??

Help me........my poor Silvers don't know what to do


Silver

 

[tstenback]

The only time i have seen a pair of angels act this aggressive is when they are breeding. Have you noticed any excessive leaf cleaning or cleaning (poking at) of any other smooth vertical surface in the tank. This is usually the step just prior to egg laying.

Other than that i have never seen angels act that aggressive in an established tank with familiar surroundings and tank mates.

 

[CMC]

How big are your angels? We have 10 that are about half-dollar size or a little smaller (body) and we noticed last night that one of them is beginning to act strange. It will drag itself over one of the leaves (it's a big leaf) with it's belly. We think they are too small to start making "practice runs". I'll be interested seeing replies to your post.

 

[silver]

I hope I get more replies for your sake now too

My Angels are pretty big, almost fully mature I would think. And since they are staying in the dark area it's hard for me to tell what they are doing over there.....they are pretty darn agressive though, even to the Silvers and they never bother them . I can't say that I've noticed any leaf cleaning, like I said they're in the darker side of the tank!

I can add one more thing though....during feeding time they act normal and they don't care that the other fish come over to "thier" side, but after the food is gone they begin their battling again. It's funny because it's as if they draw the line right down the middle of the tank and no one but the pleco is alloud over the line??

What should I do???


Silver

 

[silver]

Okay people.......HELP ME!!! )

Silver

 

[Cian McLiam]

Angels naturally live in the shaded areas near the banks of rivers, among the reeds, this could explain why they see the darker side as their home. Running their belly over leaves and such is 'practice' behaviour for spawning, my angels would do this when they reached about 4-6 months old and then settle down again.

Try moving all the decor in the tank around, they will draw up new territories.
They could be protecting a territory to mate, so keep an eye on them, if the tank is too crowded, it may lead to nasty fights.

Ken

 

[silver]

Thanks Ken,

I didn't know they live in shadey areas, that's interesting. I feel bad for my Silvers though because they like dimmed lighting and now they don't get any!!

I don't believe my tank to be overstocked, especially w/the pleco "Hershey" not being anywhere CLOSE to full grown yet! What do you think about it?? (sig)

I don't like the fact that the two Angels get a whole 28 gallon HALF and the 4 Silvers and gourami get chased to their 28 gallon half!!


What to do......... I guess I could try leaving the light off for a couple days and see if they act normally again. If that's the case, and they are just enjoying their dim-lighting then maybe I will just leave the lights off most of the time and only on once in a while??? But how will this effect the gourami??? Or is this a bad idea all together??


Silver

 

[CFC]

When angels start acting agressive it is usually a sign of a impending spawn, having several of the other dominant fish may have triggered this. Try adding more fake plants into the angels end of the tank to make a screen so they dont notice the other fish as much so you can cut their half down to just 6" or so.

 

[silver]

Thanks,
I will go do that now!!!



Silver