capekate

LOL Sabi, thats about as long my angels would lip lock too.
Good luck with your Angels..

~ kate

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Jim-
I know it's only been about 4 hours, but I've re-arranged things again. When I placed the 3 young angels with the female she came out of the cave and I noticed that her pupilla had dropped. She was chasing the 3 youngin's all over the tank while only using her one fin. I decided to move the male back into her tank and the 3 youngin's back to their original tank. The three are happy to be back into their tank and the breeding pair are now conjointly preparing a depositing surface. I guess it was just a "domestic disturbance". The guy got arrested and then released. I've never seen a breding pair act in this manner. Thanks for your advice.

Jim

hmmm, that's a little weird, but not totally unprecedented with Cichlids in general. I've heard where Jack Dempseys (Angels very agressive cousin) may start laying & one gets the jitters or does something wrong or freaks over something and starts eating eggs, and the other turns on it and kill it outright.
It could be you angels timing was off a bit, and the male didn't know how exactly to handle it.
I have a question: How many times have they laid eggs? The reason I ask is I've heard angels commonly don't get right the first couple times.

Jim

The duration doesn't matter... if it was a true lip lock then it's possible they're in the process if sizing each other up, so to speak. If each approves of the other you have a pair.

Sabi

Yeah i guess so. Its more odd because there are 3 of them at it.

Jim

That's not necessarily that odd. Either you have 1 female and 2 males, or vice versa, and they're competing. That's what I meant by each approving of the other. In your case, my guess would be 1 is choosing between the other 2. Just keep a close eye on them, if this goes all the way, so to speak, the loser is likely to get turned on by the new pair. If so, get it out of there. I know it's kinda sad, but I had to do the same thing. My tank now belongs to just my pair (and the assorted bottom cleaning squad) But they're both so big and beautiful together any more would be too many.

Barbrella

They could very well be m/f, but that doesn't mean they're a pair.

Angelfish don't like arranged unions or fixups. They need to pick their own mates which is why most people, including me, start out with 5 or so babies, then when they mature and choose a mate, find other accomodations for the others.

I had a true pair and one of them ending up accidentally being removed (long story..). My female would accept no other mate. I had to go and get her original mate back, and their reunion was quite remarkable, with instant recognition.

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This pair has successfully deposited/fertilized approximately 4 times. You can actually see pictures of them doing so in my gallery. They do sometimes eat the eggs, most of the time it's because of other fish in the tank. Sometimes they feel that the other fish will eat their eggs, so they beat them to the punch. I never take the spawning couple from the tank (as some recommend), however if there are other angels I do move them because of the gravid female. You are correct about not getting it right the first couple times. Most of the youngsters that start of breeding (from my experience) don't know what to do, or eat the eggs. From my experience it's normally the male that can't figure it out. Just a side note: I even keep turtles in the tank with the spawning couple. They get along really well. If I put a new fish in the tank the turtles get mad and try to bite it, but all of the current fish & turtles are friends. My angels actually kick it with the turtles inside their floating log. Thanks again for your replies.

capekate

Hi Barbrella
I originally bought the two Angel fish for the community tank. I had no thoughts of them breeding at the time. Just wanted two Angel fish. As time went by and they were a bit aggressive to the other fish, I had to give them their own 29g tank. If they end up a pair... or spawn.. that would only be a bonus, if they dont thats ok too. I will let nature take its course and see what happens.


~ kate

Jim

I hope they pair, you won't be disappointed. They take on a whole new personality. For the most part still the same peaceful angels, but when they lay eggs they become excellent, protective parents. And it's a beautiful thing to see, a little cloud of fry swimming around the parents. I definitly recommend the experience.

Sabi

I want to take the pair out (when they pair)as i have a tank ready for them to breed in...?

Isabella

I didn't read this entire thread, so just to comment on your video, well it does appear to me like they're fighting . Any changes in their behavior now Kate? The black one does seem pretty territorial! BTW, beautiful fish

capekate

Hi Isabella
They are still picking on each other but there is no signs of injury to either. No nipped fins etc etc. I have a divider handy and will use it if I need too.
They are not constantly fighting and since the silver is much larger than the marble, it can take care of itself when it is pushed too far by the marble. I let them go at it, in the hopes that the marble will learn to leave the larger Angel alone. The silver is not a aggressive fish and will ignore the marble to a point. Then it just says enough is enough and goes at it. Im hoping the marble will learn its lesson and leave it alone. If it doesnt stop soon I will be putting in the divider when I clean their tank next.

~ kate