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First of all, I asked about Angels a few weeks ago and apparently forgot to check the notification by email. I thought no one responded - sorry everyone - and thanks much for your responses which I finally saw tonight.

NOW, the problem - I purchased three Angels recently, about half-dollar sized. Two of them are constantly picking on the third one, to the point where they seem to seek him/her out just to harass him/her. My water quality is excellent and no one seems to be sick. They just chase and peck at the third Angel.

What to do? Should I buy another Angel? Would that help? I am already overstocked (am planning a new tank in December to solve that).

Your input would be appreciated.

Return the angel. The odds are you have a pair (the two that are picking on the fish). Either way, your angel will be stressed and die.

I'd add some slate to the tank if you dont already, usually angels perfer to spawn on slate (a type of rock).

At half dollar size, the angels are most likely sexually mature.

hmm yeah i have heard that angels really prefer to be kept in even numbers or else there will most likely be an odd man out who will get picked on or completely ignored.

I would say, depending on how much you spent and how hard to find these particular angels were, that you take the third one back to the fish store and just get another pair when you upgrade. if you explain the situation to them they might give you a partial refund or store credit or something like that.

otherwise then yeah you should probably get a 4th one.

Thanks so much.............I wondered. I hate to take him/her back - she is sooooo beautiful. Should I just keep the two then? Or try to add more? As far as slate, got it! I have some. I hope they make babies - lots of 'em, but since they are in community tank right now (I am buying a new tank in December for just the Angels) I don't know if the babies would make it? Thanks again.

I would say your best bet is to take the 3rd back now if you have the option. otherwise it will not do very well at all.

Just a couple of questions. How big is your tank? What is the overall size of the fish, half dollar in body or from top fin to bottom fin?

__________
"To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research."
researched from Steven Wright

Tank is 72 gallon bowfront. Half dollar would be the body size of the Angels(That's a guesstimate - they are about 3.0 to 3.5 inches top to bottom. My tank is a bowfront -most of inhabitants are bottome feeders, save for harlequin rasboras and four diamond tetras. The angels seem to be thriving otherwise (healthy looking). I feel SO SORRY for the one being bullied. I am such a sap! I don't want to take it back to store, but don;t want to find it dead of a broken heart or of terror either

Mary,

I would add three angels of about the same size to your aquarium. At 72 gallons, you are seeing extreme territtorial behavior. The problem with angels is that they are a schooling fish. I like the idea of even numbers but I really don't think it makes a substantial difference above 6 fish.

The addition of the fish will diffuse territorialism. Too many targets for the "pair". It will take some time for the new pecking order to be established. When you do have a courting pair, the tank should be large enough for them to carve out a portion as their "territory".

__________
"To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research."
researched from Steven Wright

I thought I had done my research on Angels. Apparently I did not do enough. I wondered about "schooling." You have answered my question. I just want to do everything I can to NOT have to take the third angel back. But I feel so sorry for it.

If you're near Kalamazoo, MI, I can help you out with some koi angels for your tank.

__________
"To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research."
researched from Steven Wright

BOB!!! Lived in Kalamazoo MI for 35 years actually. In Ohio now

Last edited by rasboramary at 29-Oct-2004 09:14

I am buying a new tank today for Angel #3. I can't bear to see her get picked on, and I don't want to give her back to LFS. I am such a sap sometimes