Minnow

I'm sure this question gets asked a lot on here, but I want to make sure I'm making the right decision.

My two angelfish are rescues. I'm reasonably sure they are opposite genders. They're around 4-5 inches diameter, and they're in a 30g tall bowfront tank with tetras, mollies, and a dwarf gourami. The female, Queenie, is the more dominant fish, and she loves chasing Rags around. He spends a lot of time in the top, back corner of the tank, near the filter. When she's not chasing him, however, they spend their time peacefully hanging out with each other. They often lock lips, usually preceded by some wiggling and showing off. I know that this is either aggression or a mating ritual.

Lately, they've had a few minor injuries. Queenie is missing a chunk from her lip and has a v-shaped tear in her fin, and Rags had a raised scale on his side the other day, although it looks better now.

How can I tell if they are a pair or not? They've been together for quite some time, but I don't know if they enjoy each other's company or barely tolerate each other. I want them to be happy and safe, especially since they lived for so long in a horrible, cramped, dirty tank. Will they be happier together or apart?

((if you need pictures or video, I'll see what I can do))

Nick Goody

If you can get a pic, Shawnie is really good at sexing Angels. Their behaivior sounds a lot like my pair.

aquarist48

Hello Minnow. Sounds like it could very well be part of the mating behavior. As Nick stated, I'm sure someone can sex them for you once you post some photos or a video. Best of luck!
Ken

Shawnie

I agree it could be either ...although im getting worried about the injuries...lip locking, chasing, even an occasional fin nip here and there is mating....pieces taken out of eachother usually is a bit more....the fact that they have so many in with them doesnt help either...the 30g tall is great for them as they will or should dominate most of the top/middle area..but the others are too much ..especially if they are a breeding pair.....if you post a pic, i can try to help sex them but I would start thinking of moving some fish...

Minnow

Thanks for the help. One thing I forgot to mention is that when she chases him around, they often smack into the walls, and she nips at his side.

Only one of the mollies is fully grown-- the others are only an inch long. Still, I've noticed that the other fish get pestered some, especially the big molly, so I'll see what I can do to tranfer some of them.

I'll put up some pictures when I get back from school.

Edit: I moved the big molly to a different tank, but I'm not sure what to do about the others.

Minnow

Here are the pictures.

Rags:

Queenie:

Together:

Shawnie

they both look male to me which would totally explain their agression ...sorry

Minnow

Hmm, that does make sense. So I should rehome one of them?

Shawnie

yes...in NH
but yes I would think about rehoming one or buying another tank for one....they are beautiful!

Minnow

I don't think I can get another tank, I'm having enough trouble keeping up with the ones I have! I suppose one will have to go. Thanks for your help, Shawnie, I have a feeling my tank will be a lot more peaceful once this is taken care of.

Shawnie

maybe pm carol to get a second opinion ..but im 90%sure they are both male ...and im wondering what type of angels they are as their bump is very very pronounced ...carol might know that ...

CHoffman

They are pretty!!. I've actually never seen an Angel with such a bump.

Minnow

Thanks! I suppose I thought the orange one was female because his bump was so small compared to Rags'

I don't know what kind of angel they are, since they're rescues I don't have much info about them. I'd be interested to know, too.

Edit: I was talking to my sister just now, and she suggested moving one angel into the other 30g. I could rearrange the other fish so neither tank is too crowded, and with only one angel in each tank, I think it could work nicely. Any thoughts?

Tony G.

You have real nice angels! i think they will do fine separately... then again, what for some more members to help you with that...

Minnow

Thanks, Tony! It would be hard to part with either one, so hopefully moving one to the other tank will solve things.

Shawnie

I would worry about your tetras and glolights ..especially where the angels havent grown up with them..they could be a snack if you attempt it, i would put the submissive one in there

Minnow

I don't think it'll be a problem... the mollies in with them right now are the same size as neon and glowlight tetras, and the angels haven't given them any grief. I agree, though, moving Rags seems like the best choice.