Minnow

So I have these two angels I saved from a nasty tank about a month ago. They're around 3 inches long. I thought they were a pair, but now I'm not so sure. When they were in quarantine, they were inseperable, always swimming together and chasing the other fish out of whichever space they were in at the moment. The morning after I got them, I saw them locking lips.

I have assumed that the one with the large bump on the head is male, and the orange, bumpless one is female. However, cerianthus pointed out that the one with the bump wasn't necessarily male. Now I have no idea what genders they are, since I don't really know how to tell for sure.

((for simplicity's sake, let's assume I'm right about the genders for now)) The last week or so, the female has started chasing the male around the tank and bumping into his side. He has been spending a lot of time in the top back corner of the tank, and they don't swim together as often as they used to. I haven't seen them lock lips since that one time in QT.

What are their genders? Are they paired? Are they fighting? Do I have to seperate them? Or is everything fine and I'm worrying for no good reason? Help!

Attached Images

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Shawnie

with the side pics they both look like males...deffinately the one on the left is...and the one on the right although doesnt have as large of bump, he has the roundness and oval body shape of a male...his face isnt pointed at all which is a sign of female...im sure others will have more info ..keep an eye either way and maybe they are just getting use to the new tank..if no injuries, id let them be for at least 2-3 weeks to see if things change....goodluck!!

Amanda

The one on the left def. looks like a male.
Locking lips is a form of aggression among cichlids, so they may have been disputing since you got them.

agabr123

i'd just keep an eye out for now, they could just be about to start spawning

cerianthus

Much better side view of One with hump, fins fully extended. This one is def. male.
The most beautiful Orange Cap (I named it) Angel I ever saw although seems bit thin on the belly. This one, need to more pic to see fully extended anal fin.
It is much easier to sex when you see them swims around w/ full side view.

First Pic. Do you see sharp angle formed (close to 90 degree) from belly to anal fin. Al least with male that's the best way to sex before ovipositor (tube) is visible. Sometimes hard to tell with different varieties of angels but with yours, it is clearly sharp angle .

2nd Pic: With all my yrs in breeding so many angels, never encountered such location(cap)and intensity of color. Beautiful angel! Looks like female but more pics will be more helpful to confirm. Usually smoother curve from belly to anal fin on female.

This method was well known fact among old(?) breeders until more varieties of angels became avail. I was hoping someone from old school will point out but havent read any. Besides all the pics I saw on forum were not as clearly visible as your first pic. Black Lace is one of easiest to sex and marble Veiltail was most difficult to sex.

If you keep angels for long time or feed on diet rich in fats, both sex can develop hump which is mostly fat.

One angel I did not succeed in breeding was their cousin species from the Wild.

Hope this helped/clarified a bit and assist other members with sexing of Angels. It is possible to sex even from dime/nickel size after few breeding experience in order to save some for selective breeding.

Minnow

Thanks for the replies, everyone! I'm glad I was right on the male, and I'll get a better pic of the orange one tomorrow.

I think I'll just keep an eye on them, I'm not too worried since nobody's gotten hurt yet.

Oh hey, I just noticed when I type qt, it links to the quarantine tank article. Is this a new feature, or have I just not noticed it before?