Temporary solution to my angelfish "problem"

Some of you may recall some previous threads of mine about my angelfish beginning to pair off and I've found my temporary solution.

I bought six angels originally (as everything I read first said that they do better in groups of six or more. And then of course did not offer any further advice about what would start to happen as they mature ...)

Typically with my luck I ended up with three males and three females, didn't I? Sigh.

Anyhow, having been given oodles of brilliant advice here, especially from SparkyJones, but not having any other appropriate tanks for separating them, I decided to embark on a "divide and conquer" plan.

So, painstakingly, I made this divider. Every fish in the tank can get through it - including the cories, kuhlis and bristlenose - except the angels. I made it with different-sized gaps and patterns and they all love it, it's like a game for them.

The established pair, Westley & Buttercup, are on the left side and very happy and peaceful now like they always are.

I was able to rehome the most aggressive of the remaining two males. So the other male, Dustin, and the two females are on the right side. Dustin has a bit of a screw loose and is furious about the divider but so far so good. He's just sulking and giving me the evil eye.

All-in-all, everyone is much more relaxed with this new set-up ... especially ME!!

 

Really glad you found a way to split it up. Looks cool enough too! Congrats for being able to rest without worrying

 

Really glad you found a way to split it up. Looks cool enough too! Congrats for being able to rest without worrying

Thank you! Do you think it will work for now? That gives them approximately 62 gallons on each side. Definitely more space than I have in any of my empty tanks - the next biggest is 45 gal and that needs re-sealing.

I am going to seal it though, for Eddie, who seems to be the third wheel on her side. Ginger doesn't want her around and Eddie is such a sweetheart that I can see her getting bullied as Ginger and Dustin look set to pair. Ginger is too smart for her own good - on the first night I got home from taking the dog out and Ginger was sailing around on Wes and Buttercup's side. Found that breach. Closed it!

It's been rather amusing to watch Dustin try to bend himself in half to get through the divider - Wes just watches with interest from the other side and doesn't engage. Man, I love angelfish.

 

It can work for now. It can get rough for the other fish if both pairs spawned at the same time though. Ideally you have each pair with their own space and anyone unpaired and everyone else goes to their own tank as a community. Then there would be zero problems unless a pair falls out with each other.

 

It can work for now. It can get rough for the other fish if both pairs spawned at the same time though. Ideally you have each pair with their own space and anyone unpaired and everyone else goes to their own tank as a community. Then there would be zero problems unless a pair falls out with each other.

Wes and Buttercup have spawned!! Agggh! Soooooo cute!! (Excuse the terrible photos).

So have the cories, about 20cm away. Finally the angels aren't eating the cory eggs! Haha.

 

Those look good, most are fertilized, only a couple white ones. If the temp is 80-82F it's about 3 days to wrigglers, fingers crossed and best of luck+