Angel expert advice plz

ct-death

ct-death

Fish & Visitors Smell in 3 Days...
Feb 27, 2007
2,043
0
36
New Hampshire
As many of you know, I recently saved an old Angel at my LFS. He/she is a large viel angel approx. 3" in diam (body), and I placed him in a 75G with 2 other well established viel Angels that are approx. 2.25" in diam (body).

Well, the new Angel has been in the tank for 2 weeks now and recently I have seen him nip at the tail fins of each of the other 2 Angels...? Now their perfect fins are slightly torn... Basically, they no longer swim together, and furthermore, the original 2 are now constantly giving him a wide area. If he moves, they move.

The aggression only occurs (I've sat and watched them without them knowing it) when they see me and they think it's feeding time, which they think is everytime they see me BTW! Anyways, all of the Angels swim up to the front of the glass, and then when they realize I'm not getting any food, the larger one turns on the others...

Any suggestions on curbing this behavior, or is this just a further dominant 'break-in' period, another Angel, or am I hoping where there is none and he will need to go, or will they settle when the other 2 grow larger, something else perhaps?

I've tried changing the aquascape, but that doesn't even alter the behavior for a day...

Thanks in Advance!
 
Here he is, last week (when he was inocent):

Picture 009.jpg
 
Many of the cichlids I've owned over the years have exhibited the same behavior when I rudely didn't feed them when they felt it was feeding time (like you mentioned, they always think it's feeding time).

I'd just give it time. The behavior may never cease, the other fish may decide to fight back (which could lead to peace), and only time will really tell what will happen.

If the fin rips/nips aren't bad, I don't see much of an issue here. Wild fish rarely look perfect, and your peaceful duo could have started exhibiting such behavior when they grew larger anyway (you just never know).

I had a similar issue with my angels - the largest/dominant one would do exactly this kind of nipping when he thought I was going to feed him (but didn't). My angel that is the closest in size one day decided to turn around and meet him face to face (the smallest is really quick and just darts away unscathed). By not turning and running, there is no fin nipping, and the big angel vents his frustrations for only a second and then gives up when the other angel stands up for itself.

Eric
 
Jayhawk, I believe you have the right of it, but not being very well versed in Angel behaviors I wanted some reassurance.

The fins are not missing any sections or anything severe like that, but the tail fins have splits in them where they were solid perfect fins before.

I wasn't sure how Angels interacted as whether this was a prelude to more aggression, status-quo or something that would pass as Mcox suggests...?

I'm also a bit anxious to see how the other 2 mature into this dynamic. I find these bahaviors facinating, and as long as it's innocent josteling I'm opkay with that.
 
ct_death - Hopefully, StarRider will chime in (he's much more knowledgable than I am with regard to angels specifically, but it really is common behavior in many/most cichlid species.

I'm not so sure the behavior is innocent...I think they're really peeved at you and feel like thumping someone and the other angels are the closest victims! That said, unless a pair has formed and one is being picked on mercilessly (which shouldn't be an issue in your roomy tank), this is not serious behavior and shouldn't be of concern unless there is serious damage or secondary infection (with clean water that's rarely an issue).

They are cool fish, aren't they? High personality, beautiful, and so interactive with those of us outside the tank.

Eric
 
They are VERY aware of their outside world, that's for sure! :)

Also, it's only the larger Angel and he is only acting out amongst the other 2, none of the other fish or cichlids are bothered. The original smaller two still stick together, but I think they are acting herded on occasion...

FYI -- When the lights are out and they r active they swim together just as often as not. When the lights are on, and they are unaware of my presence, they again swim together or the smaller 2 will swim off and stay in a corner and avoid the larger. On a rare occasion, for no apparent reason, the larger one will give chase for a foot or less and give up, but no contact as I'm aware again unless I'm present.

With my tank stock I do a 50% WC every 5-6 days. I'm a bit anal about a clean tank! ;)

Thanks again for your inputs!

- Josh
 
Simply put Angels are Cichlids.

they will set a pecking order just as many others would.

adding a new angel in the mix ..the new angel may be establishing Dominance..

so keep an eye on them and watch them..a dominant male can be very distructive to co-inhabitors.

I had that problem with a dominant wild Peruvian..he is one Mean SOB..he terrorized all the other males..I had to move them or risk their demise.

he is now in with one other angel..I suspect could be female but time will tell..

the other two males went into other tanks..one is paired with a domestic female..
the other swims with Discus..freak actually schools with the discus...LOL

give it time they may settle in , or you may see a pair forming..
if you see really agressive fighting you may need to move fish around. do you have a spare tank??
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom