How can I tell if my angels are pairing off?

[DirTDeezl]

I have 3 marble veils, 2 kois and a silver. The reason I ask is; my 2 younger marble veils dont harrass each other and they are rarely more than 6 inches away from one another. I know that you cant positively tell the sex by the forehead shape- but one is slope headed and the other is getting a nice hump on his forehead.They also seem rather protective of each other, they run off all the other fish when they get near them ( except my anostimous, which is the ONLY fish in the tank that none of the angel have ever harrassed). I suspect that they are still to young to breed, they are only about 5 months old. Im only about a year into fish, so I am still rather inexperienced, hence the silly questions. But I appreciate any insight I can get. If they seem to indeed be a pair, I may well get a seperate tank for them- and then there will be many more silly questions out of me- just a warning. I would like to try my hand at breeding. Thanx again folks.

[tbonedeluxe]

In my experience with my angels,they seem to pair off when they start fighting with one another a little while looking for a place to lay their eggs.
While they are looking for a spot for the eggs they are both aggressively chasing all other fish away with swift darting moves!Most pairs of fish will chase others away when they are about to begin mating/breeding.
Hope this helps some. ;-)

[Mgamer20o0]

also they start to clean that area. one of those things if you see it you prob will know.

[DirTDeezl]

Hmmmm, starting to look like Im gonna need another tank soon. My girlfriend is gonna be PEEVED! lol. thanks ya'll, every little bit has value to me.

[Dangerdoll]

I would say this is the very beginning of what is "pairing off". Soon, they will begin the laying and fertilizing. I think it would be wise to move either the pair or the left out one to another tank or the single one is doomed.

[AngeloG]

I think thats your pair. I was able to pick out a pair at the store by just watchin for the behaviour you described... Seperate them only if you plan on breeding them and raising the babies. I had made the mistake of buyin 3 that day and they did chase off the 3rd one when they spawn but never killed him or any other fish.