I have an angel fish that I've had for over a year now, and she's been living with a herd of neons without any problem. However, suddenly she's been chasing around my neons and small gouramis, and sadly, one is MIA. Did she eat him? It seems weird that a fish with such a small mouth could suck in a bigger sized neon. ANy hints? I've searched the tank and filter thoroughly, but I think the little guy may be in the belly of my mean angel. Aren't angels only semi-aggressive? WOuld it be better to get her a friend?
Jujubee
Full Version: Agressive Angel
Tetras are actually the natural food for an angel. Found that out the hard way. You really need to seperate the two types. Sorry..... 
In fact... I have a book that specifically says not to keep them with small and slender fish such as neon tetras 'cause they will get eaten. You should keep them in pairs, get your angelfish a buddy and it will leave the gouramies alone.
alright, 
yay:) I wanted to get a friend for my angelfish anyways... I think the lfs will let me trade 7 neons for an angelfish although, how do you tell if the Angelfish is a guy or girl? I want to get the opposite sex fish to the one I have, but I don't know how to tell the difference. I also want to get the same kind as the one I have, but I've looked at many fish stores and have yet to find one that looks similar to mine. Mine is marble coloring, only it's fins are shaped quite differently than "normal" angelfish. Instead of going up in a nice smooth curve, his top and bottom fins go up and then 90 degree angle away. I don't know if that makes any sense, but if anyone has any suggestions as to what type of angel I have, that would be great
jujubee
yay:) I wanted to get a friend for my angelfish anyways... I think the lfs will let me trade 7 neons for an angelfish although, how do you tell if the Angelfish is a guy or girl? I want to get the opposite sex fish to the one I have, but I don't know how to tell the difference. I also want to get the same kind as the one I have, but I've looked at many fish stores and have yet to find one that looks similar to mine. Mine is marble coloring, only it's fins are shaped quite differently than "normal" angelfish. Instead of going up in a nice smooth curve, his top and bottom fins go up and then 90 degree angle away. I don't know if that makes any sense, but if anyone has any suggestions as to what type of angel I have, that would be great jujubee
Can't say what type of angelfish you have......
BUT....it is quite normal for an angelfish to eat a neon. Even though I've kept both together in the past without problems, I believe my fish were the exception, not the rule.
It sounds like your angel has reached sexual maturity, thats why the sudden chasing. If you add another angel and you end up with an actual male/female pair....things are gonna get much worse for the gouramis as the angels will defend their territory when they decide to breed. If the fish you add is the same sex as the one you already have, then there is a good chance for all out war! Angels do not live up to their name! Your in residence angel may see the newcomer as an intruder and could end up beating the newcomer mercilessly.
BTW, there is no way to tell the difference between male and female angels unless they decide to breed. Then you can tell by the breeding tube....the males will be longer and pointier and the females will be shorter and rounder.
What size tank do you have your fish in? Tank size will play a role in how bad the aggression can get.
BUT....it is quite normal for an angelfish to eat a neon. Even though I've kept both together in the past without problems, I believe my fish were the exception, not the rule.
It sounds like your angel has reached sexual maturity, thats why the sudden chasing. If you add another angel and you end up with an actual male/female pair....things are gonna get much worse for the gouramis as the angels will defend their territory when they decide to breed. If the fish you add is the same sex as the one you already have, then there is a good chance for all out war! Angels do not live up to their name! Your in residence angel may see the newcomer as an intruder and could end up beating the newcomer mercilessly.
BTW, there is no way to tell the difference between male and female angels unless they decide to breed. Then you can tell by the breeding tube....the males will be longer and pointier and the females will be shorter and rounder.
What size tank do you have your fish in? Tank size will play a role in how bad the aggression can get.
My tank is only 15 gal, which I don't think is large enough for two angels I've heard the 10 gal rule applies to angels as well as goldfish. As for the 2 gouramis, they are chocolate gouramis less than an inch long each. The gouramis with the neons and the angel doesn't leave much room for another angel, how sad Right now, I have a plastic divider up in the tank, the neons and gouramis live in one side, and the angel in the other. Yeah, my angel was fine with the neons.. for about a year, he's lived with them since I got him when he was about the size of a nickle... now he's huge... Is there a difference in aggression between male and female angels? I've heard angels form pairing like discus... eventually, when I get a larger tank, would I have to buy a few angels in order to find mine a friend? Thanks so much for responding.
jujubee
I've heard the 10 gal rule applies to angels as well as goldfish. As for the 2 gouramis, they are chocolate gouramis less than an inch long each. The gouramis with the neons and the angel doesn't leave much room for another angel, how sad Right now, I have a plastic divider up in the tank, the neons and gouramis live in one side, and the angel in the other. Yeah, my angel was fine with the neons.. for about a year, he's lived with them since I got him when he was about the size of a nickle... now he's huge... Is there a difference in aggression between male and female angels? I've heard angels form pairing like discus... eventually, when I get a larger tank, would I have to buy a few angels in order to find mine a friend? Thanks so much for responding. jujubee
I'm always glad to help!!
It's been my experience that both sexes are equally aggressive, especially when breeding! And yes, that would be the best way to get a pair....put all the fish in at one time and whichever ones pair up keep, you can always work out a deal with your LFS to take back the ones that don't. A 20g is good for a pair of angels but remember to get the 20g TALL tank as this gives them enough room for their long fins and also to manuever when laying eggs.
Some of my best memories are of my angels and their fry....I do miss having them, but right now I don't have the space for another tank.....
Anyway, good luck with your fish!
It's been my experience that both sexes are equally aggressive, especially when breeding! And yes, that would be the best way to get a pair....put all the fish in at one time and whichever ones pair up keep, you can always work out a deal with your LFS to take back the ones that don't. A 20g is good for a pair of angels but remember to get the 20g TALL tank as this gives them enough room for their long fins and also to manuever when laying eggs.
Some of my best memories are of my angels and their fry....I do miss having them, but right now I don't have the space for another tank.....
Anyway, good luck with your fish!
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