angelfish

[meh]

i have a 40g aquarium with 2 small angels in it and was wondering how big do they get?How do you tell between males and females?

[Crazygar]

Sexing Angelfish is difficult. Many people have different methods and I've attempted a few only to find the true test is if one develops an oviposter (Egg Tube) and starts to lay eggs, that case, you have yourself an obvious female. The way to ensure you might get at least one female, is buy a whole bunch and let them pair off.

Once a pair establishes, remove the rest to another tank.

Angelfish can get quite large and it also depends on the species. Pterophyllum scalare (sad, I can spell this from memory) or your standard fare Angelfish can attain a size of 6" TL (from nose to tail tip) horizontally, and vertically a few inches taller. Best to keep them in a tall tank, as they prefer the depth factor. They will also only spawn on vertical (or some at 45° angles) surfaces.

Pterophyllum leopoldi are the smallest of the genus coming in at 4" TL (from nose to tail tip).

The tallest and considered "The Holy Grail" of Angelfish is Pterophyllum altum which can attain sizes up to 10" TL (from nose to tail tip).

Chances are unless, you've ordered these fish special, you have P.scalare or the Common Angelfish.

Gary

[Edd]

Pterophyllum scalare (sad, I can spell this from memory)

lol that made me laugh

Also, when adult, the male may develop a slight cichlid nuchal hump on his head.

I've also experienced having two female angels, where they lay the eggs together, but no male present to fertilise.

[Crazygar]

One thing I have noticed about Angelfish, they are extremely difficult to sex. Many people have different methods, but in the end, once you see the pair in action, that's when you can truly determine the genders.

Gary

[meh]

Is it common for an angel to fall in love with its owner?Its pretty funny to see my brother walk up to the tank and he thinks its me

[Crazygar]

The fish thinks it's food. But yes, some fish can "recognize" certain people and will always show some sort of interest. I had fish that did this each time I went home. They all went to the top of the tank when I entered the room. I'd put my finger in and they'd nibble on it.

Also, they see us as their "supplier" of food, and will beg..

Gary

[Freshwater Tropic]

LOL. . . My Purple Firefish is starting to learn that as soon as the pumps turn off, it's dinner time. It's so funny. Right when I turn them all off, He comes right out into the center of the water column. I love it!

[lou zello]

i have the same thing happen in my 55gal with 500+fish,i'll walk up to it at feeding time to remove the lids and if i wave my hand across the front from side to side they will ALL follow from side to side,it is a very funny sight to see 500+ fish go fromone side to the other.by the way i STILL have NOT redone it and STILL have a bunch of new plants in pots laying around in it so that's why no new photos yet,but will take them and post once i get done;whenever that may be.

[meh]

500+ fish! what are they!

[lou zello]

meh,please DO NOT get the wrong idea;i ALLWAYS say DO NOT FOLLOW MY STOCKING EXAMPLE.i have been keeping fish for 50+yrs and ALL my fish/shrimp are healthy/happy and i VERY,VERY rarely lose anyone.ALLSO ALL these numbers are approx.(it's not easy to count everyone with approx 50+ live plants,rocks and driftwood) so anyway here is the list: 2 clown pleco's,2 albino longfin bristlenose pleco's,3 TRUE siamese algae eaters,5 otto cats,6 zebra danios,9 assorted corys,9 pristella tetras,11 harlequin rasboras,12 candy cane tetras,13 orange vonrio tetras,19 orange chelas,26 serpa tetras,32 black phantom tetras,35 glowlite tetras,300+ mixed group of cardinals/neons,26 amano shrimp,and some assasin snails. that works out to about 508,give or take.

[Crazygar]

As Lou has pointed out, don't use his example. Lou has been keeping fish longer than some of us have been alive. He knows what he is doing, it can be done, but requires time patience and decades of knowledge.

Gary

[lou zello]

thank you for the very kind words gary,and i like the new look of the website!!!!

[Crazygar]

Thanks Lou and yeah, it's been a long haul for the Staff and I!

Gary

[Freshwater Tropic]

Yeah, I'm so happy it's finally active on here! It looks great!

[DennisG]

I used to breed angelfish, and had a mated pair that would always come to the center front of the glass to greet me when I entered the fish room. That pair was like "Old Faithful", and spawned every 6 or seven days on a fairly regular basis.
Angelfish can be very special, and are among the most graceful swimmers in the aquarium hobby.

Cordially,

Dennis