Angel Fish Veterans

Ola ppl​

Got a question for the AngelFish veterans. Here's the setup & history:​

7 x Koi angels (brothers & sisters btw)
6 x Firemouth cichlids
1.2m tank with sump. Tank's roughly planted, really not scaped at all.
I had these angels since they were small and they've only recently paired off. ​

Of the 7 angels, I have two breeding pairs. The latest pair bred and of course protected their turf from everyone. The male is very aggressive and goes after any fish that comes even close to their breeding site. However, there is one of the angels (not paired with anyone) that the male isn't fighting off at all; his mate normally fights off this outsider. The male is much bigger than the outsider, so I don't think it's a hierarchy issue (besides, I don't think hierarchy applies much when they are breeding). The other angel doesn't seem to be aggressive towards the male either; the male does nothing the outsider comes close to the nest, but then obviously, his mate fights the 'outsider' off. ​

The spawn failed as fungus took over in the clutch and killed off the fry that did manage to hatch and now today, these two females are fighting like there's no tomorrow. The male just stands idly by as the mediator; he gently pecks at both of them, but more his current mate than the outsider. He does still fight off any other fish but he did allow the outsider to grab some grub off the fungus infected nest. ​

My questions ​

1. wtf?
2. Is it possible for a single male to pair up with 2 females?
3. Can it be that the male paired off with the outsider initially and then with his current mate?
4. I would like to take the old breeding nest out to prevent the tank from getting nasty due to the fungus, but when, in your opinion, should I do this?
5. How is this relationship (if I can call it that) going to work between these fish going forward?
6. Suggestions? ​

Shot ppl​

Cheers
Dale​

 

It is most definitely possible for a male to pair off with two females - this happened to me before in the community tank and I took photos of both females laying eggs (they actually took turns) and the male coming up behind them to fertilize. It was quite amazing to watch. The opposite can also happen with two males and one female although this is not as common.

You'll probably find that after a few days the one female will lose interest and wander off. That's what happened in our tank but the male later took turns as to which of the two he paired off with.

If the eggs are all gone - you can take the 'nest' out whenever you like. Although the other fish will most likely eat any 'left overs'.

Hope this helps.

 

Dale, that what happens when you try score two girls.. all hell breaks loose!

you still breeding betas?

 

Obviously the most important Q:bigsmile:​

 

Dale, It is possible for one male, to pair of with 2 females, but the "lesser" female will later depart. This scene is quite familliar, if there are too many fish closeby in a tank, and there are 2 females ready to pair of with a domminant male. Will discuss this later face to face...
Gert.

 

What would be the chances of survival of the fry in this tank tho? I've had a pair of angels spawning for over 6months in my community tank, with zero success. I move them into their owne tank... 2 nights later I have eggs, and now I have about 20 free swimming fry.

When I see how much the fry swim, I doubt they would even survive the tank with other fish in there.

Would it not be better to pet the pair into their own tank??

 

Thanks for the input vee & gert. I found it very weird indeed as I'm no angel expert at all.

I got home a few moments ago (Friday night plans got shifted) to discover that the outsider is now the dominant female between the two and she's having great success in keeping the original mate at bay. This pair is now busy securing a site and is pecking at different spots. The previous fungus 'nest' is completely gone; guess they had a nice snack earlier today.
The other pair on the other end of the tank is now spawning as I type this msg. I actually feel sorry for the firemouths whose forced to stay in the middle of the tank.

@theo - No, haven't bred bettas in a while but will give it a go in a few weeks time again to replenish stock. Problem I have now is that I have very little tanks (but for a good reason).

@zoom - I actually don't think the fry will survive but it's a good thing as I don't want to breed angels actually; this tank with all livestock & equipment is actually Gert's property, just holding it for him until he's ready to collect.

 

right....you guys called it, the previous female is now the outsider and the male is paired with the 'intruder'. The male spawned with the original female several times but the eggs kept getting fungus. He's spawned the first time with female # 2 and their fry hatched.

Thanks for the input people, much appreciated

PS - Gert....come and get your fish and tank, I've even cleaned it up for you

 

I know, I'll come and get Gerts Tank, and keep it for myself?!

G!

 

He's gonna kick your ass with one leg-'n-all Gareth if you take his tank + fish lol