Five angels in tank. Two have paired strongly. Now what?

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knifegill

knifegill

Peacock Bass
MFK Member
Sep 19, 2005
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Oscar Tummy
I don't want babies. They can lay all the eggs they want, they'll be snacks for the Molly, Guppies and Raphael Catfish. My question is, will their aggression subside eventually? They seem to have claimed most of the center of the tank as their nest. I just got all five of these guys in good shape and would like to know what is likely to happen between them in the immediate and long-term future. As of now, three Angels are hiding in the catfish cave, the Molly wanders obliviously through the breeders' territory unaffronted, and the guppies have learned to stay mostly out of the way. Will Molly's lack of fear discourage their spawning activities? Will they play nice after the eggs are eaten, between spawnings? Any recommendations?
 
I should add that the temp was recently lowered from 85 to 83. I also began feeding wingless fruit flies. So, really, I was asking for this without being ready for it to happen. It's a 55 standard and I just rearranged the decor and live plants hoping to scramble them up a bit. I have no idea if it worked and I'll be gone all day, so please spit out whatever you think might work and I'll sort through it when I get home. Thanks.
 
I don't keep angels, but a discus breeding pair can make life miserable for their tank mates. I expect angels are much the same way. I think it would be wise to remove the pair to their own tank, or at the very least, place a divider in the tank to lessen the stress on all fish involved.
 
I was afraid I'd have to use a divider. Can't I just stop them from wanting to breed or being a pair?
 
Only if you separate them.
once they start its usually every 10 days.
You can try to rearrange the decor so they spawn to a corner of the tank.
 
I would add if you separate them, it would probably be best to remove the female from the tank. If you just removed the male, the female may pair up with another male in the tank, and it all starts again.
 
I will try to confine their breeding zone. The problem is that I have yet to find what they are using as a marker. I scooted the plants around but it only helped temporarily. It could be the stone in the middle if the tank or it could be the gravel. I'll shove it all over on W/C day... Thanks for your help.

remove the female
Click to expand...
I think they are both female...
 
If you dont want them to kill your other Angels then get rid of them. If the others seem to be taking the punishment in stride then you dont have to do anything. The pair will eat their own eggs if they arent alone.
 
And check everything. Even the glass in the back. They will only spawn on smooth vertical surfaces. I even had a pair lay eggs on the heater. Didnt have to worry bout THEM hatching.
 
If it were me, I'd keep the pair and sell or remove the rest of the Angels. You may have another pair in the other 3 Angels and may have the same problem over again if you just split up the pair or remove the pair. How big is your tank?
 
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