Bellus angel M/F compatibility

[delphinus]

I have a pair of bellus angels (Genicanthus bellus). I myself have had them around 2 years, but I initially got them from another hobbyist who was shutting his tank down. So they are a couple years old at this point.

I am curious, or rather, starting to have doubts, about the long-term compatibility of these two fish in a tank together. The male is very aggressive towards the female. There does not appear to be any lasting damage done, but there is a contant cat-and-mouse thing going on with them. I just moved them into a larger tank, a 280g from a 115g, and paradoxically it feels as if the aggression has increased rather than decreased.

After all this time, it's clear it's not something that's going to lessen as time goes on. I guess my question is, are "pairs" usually like this? Or is this basically not a "pair" but just a male and a female and they hate each other?

I'm getting tempted to think about selling one or both.

The only hesitation I have is that since they are sequential hermaphrodites or whatever the term is for when fish turn from one gender to the other .. is the male simply reasserting his dominance so that the female stays female basically, and thus he keeps her from turning into a rival male?

Or is it possible that angels don't really "pair up" per se, that females are simply males who haven't aged enough yet, but will turn into a male no matter what, sooner or later? If that were the case then that could explain the escalating aggression.

I would appreciate any thoughts. Thanks!

 

[MikeandNicole]

Do you have pics? Bellus males and femals look very different and are genarlly easy to sex.

 

[snorvich]

I have had a pair of G. Bellus for about six+ years. They mate periodically in my 240 gallon tank. This pair did not come as a pair but a male was added to an existing female.

 

[delphinus]

I'll try digging up some photos. It is a definite male and a definite female though... they look nothing alike. They have never spawned while in my care..

Snorvich how would you describe the behaviour of your pair to each other?

 

[delphinus]

Don't really have a good picture of the two together. Here's a shot of the male chasing the female under an overhang. Better shot of the male than the female but you can see the female as the typical female colouring of a bellus angel.

 

[badguitarist]

I have a trio of them in a 110 gallon reef, 1 male and 2 females. I do notice some behavior like you have said but not constant. I wonder if adding another female or two would do the trick to lessen his aggression towards the existing female. I do understand how this could be an unjustifiable experiment as the price for these fish can be somewhat daunting and you may not get the desired results. as far as age and sex changing goes, I don't believe that's how it works. If I understand it right the dominant female changes to a male only in the absence of another male. If anyone knows more about this than me please feel free to correct me.

 

[snorvich]

I'll try digging up some photos. It is a definite male and a definite female though... they look nothing alike. They have never spawned while in my care..

Snorvich how would you describe the behaviour of your pair to each other?

Peaceful except when spawning then the male chases the female (usually just before lights out -- I have a sunset simulation lighting system).