Who Gives A Fish Forums

boomer wrote: ↑Mon Mar 21, 2022 4:16 pm I think the issue here is the environment we provide for them - the aquarium, no matter the size. In the wild, a group of around 30 angels forms a hierarchy, and when a pair forms, the others know to give them space. We can't replicate that in an aquarium, unless we have an enormous tank. That's why aquarists recommend separating the group if a pair forms.

In their natural habitat, the dominant male defends his female and territory, and chases away other angels that can easily escape. But in an aquarium, that's not possible. With my group of six, it's not unusual for them to be peaceful for a year, but things can change overnight. Environmental conditions control their behavior, so adverse conditions might cause increased aggression or the opposite. Each fish can behave differently, so it's key to be aware of this and have a plan in place if things go wrong.

thenoob wrote: ↑Mon Mar 21, 2022 11:48 am Be aware that the dynamics can shift as they mature. Males tend to bicker but rarely cause harm, whereas females often dictate the hierarchy. It's a gamble - sometimes they'll coexist peacefully, while other times they'll turn on each other. My experience with a 4-foot tank is that having more than two angels, especially with a female, can lead to chaos; an 8-foot tank might be more manageable, depending on the female's aggression level. You can usually disregard male squabbles, but females are a different story - they can be deadly. If you notice a female targeting another angel, you'll need to intervene by removing either the aggressor or the target, or let nature run its course.