Aggression with angelfish?

My sligtly bigger angel is chassing my new angelfish what should I do? I only had my first angel for about 3 weeks, and just today got another one. WHAT IS GOING ON!!!

 

we're pretty new to angels.. but maybe if you took him out and kept him in a container of tank water (being sure he won't jump out).. then rearrange the tank decor and then acclimate him back into the tank?

 

Could be the original one has established a bit of a territory, and sees the new one as an intruder, which is not uncommon. It would help to change something around in the tank (move a plant or two, decoration, something like that) -- that seems to make the little fishy brain think it's in a new place, so it doesn't feel territorial anymore. Things should settle down once the 'ol' timer' gets used to a new tank mate.

Is it just chasing, or is it doing actual damage to the newcomer?

 

It's swimming really fast towards my new one and hitting it!

 

angels r territorial, it is better to buy them small. what is your tank size? u can buy another angel if possible, that will make the big angel confused. this behavior is common at first but don't worry it will settle after a few days.

 

have you tried the "time out" we suggested with him?

 

Mine bicker but it's never anything to serious. They are just establishing who is boss. If you have a big enough tank...I'd get 2 more.

 

I hope the time out works! I've been fortunate that my two angels have been very peaceful and are good buddies. I hate it when fish don't get along.

 

Will they get used to each other even if I don't do anything?

 

Will they get used to each other even if I don't do anything?

Well, all things are possible...but I wouldn't count on it.

Did you try doing a time-out and rearranging the tank, as suggested? It doesn't hurt to try!

 

Will they get used to each other even if I don't do anything?

It may and I may not, the latter being more likely. Better to try out what cobcouple and jsalemI said...

 

IT worked my new angelfish isn't being chased any more. And they are getting along! They are even swimming almost side by side. Does this mean they are a couple (breeding pair)???

 

Glad it worked!
How big are they? It could be, but it generally takes time before you can call it that.

 

I had my first for about 3-4 weeks and it is a little bigger than my other one. its about 4 cm length and 6 cm up. my second one is about 3 3/4 cm length and 5 cm up. Even if they aren't old enough to tell does this mean one is male and the other is female???

 

If your measurement is incl the fins then I think they are still too small to sexually mature. They could be getting on with each other because they are the same species.

 

Hello everyone
Some of you may know that I have recently bought 5 young angels for my 34G which I intend on raising together to get a breeding pair.
However one of the little guys is getting a bit nasty

It seems to have chosen to make a territory of the largest (fake) amazon sword plant in the tank and about the area about 1-2" around the plant. It chases all of the other angels out of this area except for one, the largest angel, my double dark called shadow. I'm not sure if it is doing this because Shadow is too much to take on or because it fancies Shadow

I have looked at other threads on angel bullies but I was not expecting one so early on as I have had them since wednesday, maybe its just the pecking order being formed?

Thanks,
Ben

 

once angels settle in , don't matter what their sizes are ...they are territorial...that's why I recommend members watching their LFS tanks for a good half hour before buying angels..you can see who gets along and who doesn't..I'm not a fan of buying juvies and waiting for something to pair up...its just too risky IMO and in a 34g tank, with 5 of them, its not unusual ben

at this point, watch your own tank for at least 30 mins..see who buddies up with who....you should be able to see it...but not when its feeding time or close to it as they don't like anyone when they are hungry...good luck!

 

Il watch for half an hour and post back on here Shawnie Thanks

 

I thought they were going in a 45g Long tank?

 

I'm growing them in the 34G until the koi go out in the pond in a couple of months because I'm not expecting any pairs before then, then once the koi go out they will all be moved to the 45G except the pair if there is one

I think I did tell you when we were talking on our profiles? Maybe I'm just imagining things lol

 

I'm growing them in the 34G until the koi go out in the pond in a couple of months because I'm not expecting any pairs before then, then once the koi go out they will all be moved to the 45G except the pair if there is one

I think I did tell you when we were talking on our profiles? Maybe I'm just imagining things lol

maybe you did..you know my brunette moments
either way they are showing you now they aren't waiting a couple months ...they are buggers for sure...juvies can be just as mean once they get use to a clean tank with a varied diet..(in other words in proper caring tanks with proper owners, juvies can be as mean as adults ) they are skittish for a couple weeks but after that, they are a cichlid through and through...

 

Well I think you've seen the pics of the tank in my other thread and there isn't many line of sight blocks as I went for swim room, so if it keeps happening I will have to put more plants in
I just checked and I did say I would put them in the 34G lol, soyes, brunette moment

My little guys are very tame, the tank is right next to my desk so they always see me, one of them was even pecking at the python when I was doing my gravel vac yesterday

 

was reading your old thread where you said 45g long sowwy ;D
my moments happen allot LOL
but I know I didnt recommend getting a bunch of juvies as I'm not a fan of that....again they don't wait until their britches are bigger to fight
good luck with them!!!!!!

 

Exactly how big is this little bully? Could it just be a small female? They don't sound just territorial but more like pairing to me.
Angels always seem to go one of two ways. Extremely easy going or mean little snots
I have four in a 55 gallon and they are the mellowest fish you would ever see. They've been together for a couple of years. BUT I have two in a 30 gallon long that will tear other angelfish to pieces. So you really have to be observant and ready to pull them to another tank if necessary.
Carol

 

LOL @ snots!!!!
sorta like teenagers!!!!!!
love that comparison and so very true lol

 

LOL @ snots!!!!
sorta like teenagers!!!!!!
love that comparison and so very true lol

Glad you liked that LOL But so true.
Carol

 

Well I've been watching them since I posted yesterday and he/she has stopped

Everyone is getting along great for now

I can try and post pics of them for you guys to try and sex them but I only have acces to my phone camera at the moment so the quality is poor But I can try if you like?

EDIT: Carol, the one that was being nasty is the second smallest of the group, probably 1" long from head to the start of the tail fin.

EDIT#2: I have been keeping a close eye on the fish just to see who likes who, and I've figured that the 2 best friends are the 2 stripey ones although one of them was the one being naughty? They spend a lot of time together.
I've also observed that the little gold angel, Sunny, is the loner lol.
The big gold angel hangs out with all of them
And Shadow just minds his/her own business and just does as he/she pleases

Hope this helps you all out

Thanks,
Ben

 

hI ben!!!
at this point, where you have no other space to put fish, id keep watching to make sure there is no fin issues(tearing or ripping of finnage) or marks they are leaving on each other while doing their nawty behavior....adding some taller silk, real plants, will help them find their own space as much as they can and take out their target of eachother...but you have a group that's going to keep finding dominance and the bigger tank is needed soon good luck!!!!!!!! .....

 

Ok thanks Shawnie

Later on I might try and get some pics just to see if we can figure out any genders
I've got fingers crossed for these guys , at the moment everybody is being calm and not bothering eachother

 

Ok thanks Shawnie

Later on I might try and get some pics just to see if we can figure out any genders
I've got fingers crossed for these guys , at the moment everybody is being calm and not bothering eachother

keeping my fingers crossed for you also!! I know you have wanted them for some time....good luck ben!

 

I had 2 juvie angels earlier in my experience and the male seemed to chase the female attractivly and he ended up killing her....both still juvie.. so watch out for any seemingly loving behavior and bulling. I ended up having to take the beautiful male back because of his aggressive behavior. good luck!!!

 

Thanks fabcab

Shawnie, I just put some more plants in (Done a raid on my guppy+shrimp tank) and I added 2 plastic plants, one live plant from the 72G which is a bit messed up from not strong enough lighting in there but the lighting should be strong enough in the angel tank and one live reed from the guppy tank, I put one in the guppy tank and now there are about 8 so I am hoping this one will survive but I'm not sure if the lighting is strong enough.
Here is a before and after pic, and 3 half decent pics I managed to get of the angels just to see if you can tell if they are male or female

Thanks,
Ben

EDIT: Nice reflection of my television in the last pic lol

 

Thanks for answering my questions I just don't know what to think. Keep a close eye on them and see if the aggression eases up after everybody claims their own spot.
adding the plants was an excellent idea. Anything that breaks up their line of sight will lower the aggression.
carol

 

Well I'm hoping I have put enough plants in, if not I can always get more

Will post again tomorrow and let you know what's happening

Thanks for all of your help Shawnie and Carol

 

Well I'm hoping I have put enough plants in, if not I can always get more

Will post again tomorrow and let you know what's happening

Thanks for all of your help Shawnie and Carol

Always welcome

 

HI all, new to the forum as well as to the hobby.

I got a 20 gal high tank. Stocked with 4 small angelfishes and 2 corys. One Angelfish is aggressive and pick on all 3 of the other ones. My dad has a 30 gallon community tank, so I thought I throw him in there. Now another angelfish seem to take over the role as the aggressor. What should I do?

 

how big are they?

 

they are small

 

Good morning and Welcome to Fish Lore!

Keep in mind that Angelfish are Cichlids and may well display aggressive Cichlid behavior. Some members have had good success keeping multiple Angels in the same tank, others haven't been so lucky.

There will probably always be 1 that wants to be King of the tank. It's kind of like a pecking order.

Other than finding a new home for the fish, you might try rearranging the tank. It might help or it might not.

Best wishes for your fish and keep us posted.

I hope you enjoy the site.

Ken

 

I'm not an expert in this but what about adding a few more Corys? I know they like to be grouped in at -least- 5, preferably more, so they have that safety in numbers feeling. Would the angelfish still be aggressive against a small school of them?

 

I'm not an expert in this but what about adding a few more Corys? I know they like to be grouped in at -least- 5, preferably more, so they have that safety in numbers feeling. Would the angelfish still be aggressive against a small school of them?

Yes, you are right, the cories should be in groups of at least 5, but the angelfish are aggressive with each other.

First off, what Ken said is right. Remove the dominant, and the next in line will take over as leader. It will just keep happening, and in a small tank like a 20 (with the foot print of a 10) you are bound to have problems, even with 2 angels.
IMO, your tank is simply not suitable, even for one angel. They get large, and can be territorial with other angels. It would be better to get a 25 gallon. Is there anyway you can sell this one and set up a more appropriate tank?
I don't know what your dad has in the 30, or what the dimensions are, but depending on that you may be able to keep 2 if they get along.

I would suggest returning some of the angels, or, if you updated to at least a 25-29gallon you can keep two in there and keep two that get along the best in the 30, IF dimensions and stock are appropriate (could you let us know this info please?).

 

I agree^

the fish would be much happier in a little bit bigger tank. What is in your dads tank?

 

I had 2 x angelfish in a community for 3 months and one day the male just snapped and killed the female and my fighting fish.
Always taking a risk keeping cichlids

 

I had 2 x angelfish in a community for 3 months and one day the male just snapped and killed the female and my fighting fish.
Always taking a risk keeping cichlids

You just have to know what fish to keep with them

 

thank you all for replying.

Just when I'm about to type the pecking has stopped for the last 2 days, I see the current dominant one pecking the others. But it's no where as bad as when I had 4 of them in there.

After reading MD Angels' post, I'm really considering upgrading to a 30 long. I'll see. If I get a 30long, what else can I keep in it with the 3 or 2 angels?

As far as the corys, they're fine, it's just among the angels.

 

I would add some more corys. In my 29 gallon I only have corys and 2 angels and a BN pleco with lots of plants. IMO I think just those two kinds of fish look great together

 

Welcome to Fishlore.

What size are these angels? Is the body quarter sized or larger? Were all 4 angels added at once? Are there tall plants (fake or real) or other decor that breaks the line of sight across the tank?

What are your current water parameters?

It would be most helpful if you would take a few minutes to provide complete Aquarium Profile Information. It will help the members to gain an understanding of your tank. Just click the My Settings button at the top of this page, and select Edit Aquarium Info. Complete the information on your aquarium, including tank size, filtration, stocking, lighting, water parameters, etc. And save your changes. Then you won't be inundated with answering questions about your tank.

With the aggression your angels may be maturing as they tend to not fight when very young.

Can you post pictures?

Sorry for all the questions, but I want to have a complete understanding of your tank. You can easily keep 4 immature angels in a 20Long or even 2 adults.

 

Welcome to Fishlore.

What size are these angels? Is the body quarter sized or larger? Were all 4 angels added at once? Are there tall plants (fake or real) or other decor that breaks the line of sight across the tank?
With the aggression your angels may be maturing as they tend to not fight when very young.
Sorry for all the questions, but I want to have a complete understanding of your tank. You can easily keep 4 immature angels in a 20Long or even 2 adults.

1+
The reason I suggested a larger tank, of course, is for long term. Angels need taller aquariums, to accomodate their taller long finned bodies.

I think a 25(20"high)or a 29(18"high) gallon is more ideal than a 30gallon(16"high)and especially not a 30 gallon breeder(12"high). I would also not keep an adult pair in a 20 long (12"high), but that is MO.
( )

As CAtsma mentioned, having tall and larger plants etc to break lines of sight and establish cover is important when dealing with aggressive species. As they mature, they will start to work out the pecking order.

 

Yeah a 20 isn't good for larger angels, but I use them for my smaller breeders. Not that I'd recommend it, and this is a short term set up, but my 55G is holding 25 angels. It is my growout tank and there is no aggression with angels ranging from dime size to young adults. This is why I was asking about size...you can estimate age and determine maturity.

 

Hello, I have an aggressive angelfish chasing his tank mates and being mean! There is just one angel in the tank. He eats well and don't know if there is something I can do to chill this guy out. Any ideas?