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I have a 46 gallon bow front (running for 2 years). It is full of a variety of tetras & 14 cories. About 1year 4 months ago, I brought home this little angelfish no bigger than a nickel. It has always done great with the tetras...never a problem. I dont' know if it is a male or female. Now, 1 year & 4 months later, it is bigger than my hand & very beautiful!

However, I've observed over the last 1 1/2--2 weeks that it has become extremely territorial!!! I mean just all of a sudden, like an overnight change. I have 2 filters in the tank, one on each end & this angelfish has claimed BOTH of the uptake tubes as its own LOL.

This fish has chased every single fish that comes near it or either tube. Doesn't matter who it is...tetra or otto...it wants no part of anyone!

Last night, as I was observing this beauty, I swear it was acting all rowdy like a dog who is being silly. As I said, I don't know if it is male or female, but the way it was acting reminded me of a male acting "macho" if you will.

It always comes up to the glass when I approach the glass as if we meet to say HELLO. Well, last night, it came up to greet me, then it began doing little darts here & there, to & fro, and ALL OF A SUDDEN, guess what? It started making the funniest noises with its mouth...just like a dog doing little barks!!! I mean it was clear as day that this behavior was intentional...it was doing these noises & forward/backward darting motions on purpose.

Is this some sort of breeding behavior? I don't get it. I wish I could have somehow taped this so you could all see & hear it. It was funny. Does anyone have any clue about this???

When breeding, Angels are very territorial & chase other fish away.
Mine used to breed with the filter & yours might be doing the same.


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http://www.deathbydyeing.org/



http://www.flickr.com/photos/corydoras/
Member of the Malta Aquarist Society - 1970.
http://www.maltaaquarist.com

Hmm, interesting, thanks. What about the sounds/noise???

I never heared any noise from my Angels. Sorry, i cannot help you.


http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/s8xi5heh/my_photos
http://www.deathbydyeing.org/



http://www.flickr.com/photos/corydoras/
Member of the Malta Aquarist Society - 1970.
http://www.maltaaquarist.com

My guess is its prolly a female. It prolly wants to lay eggs on the intake tubes. Do you notice it nipping(cleaning) at the intakes? Never had a lone female angel though, so its a guess.

Yes, it does that allllll the time. I didn't know they'd want to "breed" with the tubes LOL!!! I know it doesn't have a hump on the forehead area & I thought it was a female but could never be 100% sure.

If it is a female, will she lay eggs even if there is no male in the tank to fertilize them?

Last edited by angiewny at 06-Apr-2005 21:27

I have never had this happen but the angelfish just killed one of my ottos!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It bit the tail fin & part of its tail off the otto. I am shocked & saddened.

Is this what they do? I wonder if it will be a threat to the rest of my fish???

Yes, she will lay eggs, even if there's no male.
Yes, Angels can attack other fish, especially when breeding, or laying eggs.


http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/s8xi5heh/my_photos
http://www.deathbydyeing.org/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/corydoras/
Member of the Malta Aquarist Society - 1970.
http://www.maltaaquarist.com

Thanks again for ALL your help...I really appreciate it!!!

I've got 2 breeding pairs and this is exactly how they act when they lay eggs. Watch carefully and you may see her trying to stick the eggs to the tubes.

Normally angels are pretty docile but not when breeding! Yes, smaller fish may be a problem. When a pair of mine are breeding they keep the others away but haven't hurt any of the others (angels & clown loaches). Good luck...you may want to consider an angel tank