Angelfish Choice

[pirategrl]

I was just given 7 angelfish babies; I am keeping 2 and the rest are being given to a friend with a 120 gallon tank.  I just had a couple questions before picking the ones that I want.  There are black and white marble looking ones and then all white/silver ones (the came from different batches).  Can I keep one of each variety?  Can they breed if they are not the same variety?  If I end up with 2 males will it eventually become a problem? 

 

[Brianandrews1951]

There is no reason from the fishes' perspective not to keep one of each color variety - meaning they will get on fine together. Yes, two different color varieties of angels will readily interbreed. (Interestingly, if you keep a number of mixed colors together there is a very strong tendency for them to choose to pair off with their own color when they mature, but they will certainly mate with a different color if there is no choice.) There should be no problem at all keeping two of the same sex together - at least not in my experience, which is admittedly commercial. There would be more potential for trouble if you had two males competing for one female, though even this should not be too serious with angels - much more of a problem with some other Cichlids! 
 
Hope that helps!

 

[DrRob]

Agreed, angels tend to be found in groups and aggression is quite variable but at it's worst by far when they pair off.
 
My experience too has been commercial, but I've never really worried about gender for aggression, just that individual fish are sometimes complete nutters, but that's the joy of cichlids isn't it?

 

[MBOU]

Angelfish behaviour is really hit and miss, personally, I think the chances of two males coexisting long term and happily is slim, even if they don't actively try to kill each other, the stress alone can often kill the submissive one off.
 
By adulthood, I find few males are tolerant of each other, in smaller tanks with no décor and no territory... there might be slightly less squabbling but in a normal tank, the fighting tends to be worse and its not always obvious, a quick nip here or there can drive the opponent mad when he cant get out his corner for fear of the other turning on him.
 
That said, there are plenty of exceptions. I had a pair of male angels so tightly bonded that they would not except female angels in the tank, god knows I tried 6 or 7! and when separated, both males lost all colour... hung in the corner and stopped eating... they lost weight drastically until I put them back together and after a few whirling dances establishing themselves again... all was good with the world, they ate and put back on the weight and it was like nothing happened.
 
Cichlids have such quirky personalities!

 

[pirategrl]

Thanks so much.  I'm learning towards one of each color mainly because there are only 3 of the marble and I would feel bad sending 4 whites and only one marble to my friend.  They are so beautiful... if only they stayed this small so I could keep all 7.  They are all in my tank until Tuesday and they are so much fun to watch... they swim everywhere together.