Two Angels in 55g fighting for months...what to do?

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knifegill

knifegill

Peacock Bass
MFK Member
Sep 19, 2005
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At first they appeared to be pairing up. They were dancing and staying side by side, cleaning surfaces, etc. Now they just face off all day, twitching violently. They look great. Fins intact, eating a little less but not starving. The water is in great shape, too. I'm mostly wondering if the stress will eventually start doing them in or if they can continue on like this indefinitely. Their mouths get a little raw from time to time if they get into a liplock battle, but it always heals up in a day or so. Should I move one to another tank or maybe split the tank up into more territories? I recently rescaped the tank and did more caves/slate while removing most of the ungodly plastic plants. Perhaps this triggered the aggression? I want these angels to live a long, healthy life and realize this question seems a little off. By no means would I ever be okay with inappropriate living conditions for my fish, but I'm not clear on how to manage this situation.
 
You could separate them.As long as one isnt getting beat up its not really an issue.If youre not seeing torn fins and one hiding in the corner,its not something you have to worry about.But if they are fighting nonstop,theres no good reason to leave them together.
 
you should separate them. i use to have angels that constantly fight and i hated looking at it.
 
I have a pair which began to fight after being moved to a larger tank. I separated the male from the female for one month, and then re-introduced him. They still have spats, especially around the time they're about to lay eggs, but nothing like the aggression I saw from him before the separation. You could try it -- it couldn't hurt!
 
I lowered the temp in the tank to stay around 77-78. My angels are still happy and healthy but the breeding and aggression towards 'my third-wheel' angelfish has slowed if not stopped altogether.

Also, did you replace the fake plants you removed?? A heavily planted tank helps with angel aggression too.
 
I gave away the silver angel and the zebra has since experienced a growth spurt and a return of full finnage.
 
redo the land scaping, and put some plants back in so they have hiding places. also seprate the male from the female. also after they lay eggs, you can take the slate out, and put the slate in a 20 gallon with a air stone under it and the bubbles will help the eggs to hatch. then later in 2-3 weeks re introduce the male slowly back with the female.
 
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