Angelfish gender question

[kaiboshi]

Specifically with regard to Chaetodontoplus angels. Angelfish are protogynous hermaphrodites, correct? Maybe I don't pay close enough attention but outside of Genicanthus angelfish I don't recall hearing of many instances where an adult female transitions to male or vice versa. What are the chances of buying a juvenile scribbled angel and having it end up male if it is the only scribbled angel in the tank? Is it just a crap shoot or is there anything I can do to increase my chances?

 

[Dmorty217]

You could buy a small scribbled around 3-4", then purchase one smaller than that. The larger of the two should turn male. Hard to say is a single small one would turn male or not. Would think other Angels and their sex in the tank would dictate this some too. Also if you have another Chaetodontoplus the sex of it could also effect it

 

[ThRoewer]

Specifically with regard to Chaetodontoplus angels. Angelfish are protogynous hermaphrodites, correct?

Yes, all marine angelfish species are known to be protogynous hermaphrodites.

Maybe I don't pay close enough attention but outside of Genicanthus angelfish I don't recall hearing of many instances where an adult female transitions to male or vice versa.

No "vice versa", it's a one way street.

What are the chances of buying a juvenile scribbled angel and having it end up male if it is the only scribbled angel in the tank? Is it just a crap shoot or is there anything I can do to increase my chances?

I'm not sure if a single female will make the transition to male. With Anemone fish (Amphiprion bicinctus) it has been shown that a male will only change to a functioning female in the presence of another, submissive male. It is also required that the male has a certain minimum size. So there is no automatic change with time.
I would expect the same inhibitors to be in place for all protandrous or protogynous hermaphrodites or otherwise the whole mechanism would defeat it's purpose of ensuring to find a suitable mate.

If you want a male you either have to get on that has finished transition or get two females of different size so that the larger one eventually becomes a male.

 

[Winwood]

From what I have read from other's accounts when trying to keep Chaetodontoplus pairs, getting one to turn male, usually is not a problem. It's keeping both from doing so, is where people have issues.