Angelfish Stocking Levels

The school of thought for Malawi cichlids is to either overstock the tank to a point where they don't know where to direct their aggression, or to only select species of a docile nature. Even this varies from individual to individual. Territorialism will vary according to sexual maturity and proximity to a spawning cycle.

My question is, does this also apply to cichlids such as angelfish? I have 3 pairs in a 1,2m tank and they are very territorial. They basically hover in their separate thirds of the tank most of the time. Whenever there is a threat such as me vacuuming substrate or lifting the canopy, they seem to congregate in a group, losing their territorialism. Would overstocking cause them to act unnaturally in the same punch drunk way that overstocked Malawi cichlids behave? Would pairs get divorced with overstocking?

Would really like like to get thoughts on this from the experts.

 

My experience with Angels is what you describe for malawis, i had 7 (4 left) in a 2m tank, they paired off, became territorial, once they spawn, nothing can approach their territories. I have two large Angels from my son in another 6' tank, whilst they are not a pair in the breeding sense, they have formed a bond, have a territory, not that well defined, but do not tolerate other fish in their immediate vicinity. I have never kept more than 7 at a time, I would imagine that you find the same type of behaviour if you have 10 or 15, with more pairs and more territories ultimately. If you have a large tank, more room may allow you to stock more, but I wouldn't cram lots of Angels in a small space.
I'll follow this thread with interest

 

Once they pair off the trouble starts and I don't think numbers change that.

I have only kept larger numbers of angels to get pairs and then let the rest go. Looking to have a angel only tank in the future so would be interesting to know if there is a solution.

Keep only males/females?

 

Just to add a little more insight I've had with my particular Dantum Angels, when they were in their previous 650 liter community tank, they seemed less interested in establishing territories. They shared the tank with smaller and larger fish than themselves. From what I've read, aggressiveness seems to vary from one breed of angels to the next. When I talk about aggression amongst mine, I refer to posturing at intruding pairs, some pecking at the chest area, but never any damage such as nipped fins or missing scales. Has anyone ever had more serious aggression amongst their Angels than this?

 

I would agree with Vis and Jwh. It does not matter how many Angels you have to start, as soon as a pair is formed - the trouble starts. While you might have, say six pairs and a few singles in a large tank. The strongest pair will automatically become the dominant pair and fight for their breeding area. When a threat of an invader( cleaning/ moving bits in the tank). They will naturally bond together for strength and support. When the threat moves away the pairs will reclaim there areas.

 

I wonder if one kept them at slightly lower Temps so breeding is not the encouraged if it would prevent them from pairing off.

 

@Vis. That is an interesting comment. I have had some pair up from 24 degrees all the way up to 28 degrees. It would be interesting to hear others who have kept and bred....

 

Wow you understood that mess of a sentence

There must be a way of discouraging breeding.

 

I am probably better at drawing that writing, yet the facts are I have tried a lot of different ways to try discourage breeding ( coming from a breeder) as there are times that I have had just to many fry. I would love to find a method as well.

 

That's pretty much my experience as well, also have dantums

 

@pHish_man might shed some more light on this issue. He breeds with angels.

 

if you want to discourage breeding you should give your angels to me, i got a pair of breeding angels and bred every 3 weeks i have had them a few months now had 3 spawns and now nothing in 9 weeks.