Bellus pair

[alwmh4]

So I'm aiming on getting a Bellus pair. However, only the females seems to be available. Can I get the female and add the male later? Or should I wait ill both are in stock and add at the same time?

I want these in the tank first before I add my tangs... Which are also out of stock.

 

[79chopperdr]

Genicanthus are sexually dimorphic. If you add two females, it's possible one will change to male.

 

[alwmh4]

Right. But is it possible that one will kill the other if it doesn't change to male. $175 fish

 

[OrionN]

I think it is the two males that will fight like Watanabe angels

 

[apcoleman]

I have three females in my 250 and they all get along. There was a little bit of quarreling between the two larger females for a few days but it subsided with the larger one being the dominate one in the tank. My hope is that one will eventually turn. Two males will fight as mentioned above.

 

[alwmh4]

I ordered a female from divers den. Tgey had more show up in but not in divers den. So I COULD get two now but I think I'll wait for divers den. Now if my white tail bristletooth would just come back in stock.

 

[o2manyfish]

The Bellus are very well behaved fish. I have kept up to 4 of them together. I have yet to have one become male in my tank. I have always purchased males as mature males.

I've added tiny (under 1/2") females with mature females and they have never bothered each other.

Dave B

 

[alwmh4]

Well I guess that explains why they sell males and at a higher cost

 

[snorvich]

Well I guess that explains why they sell males and at a higher cost

That and the fact that males do not ship well for some reason.

 

[alwmh4]

So if I do see a male offered then divers den is probably the best option huh

 

[snorvich]

So if I do see a male offered then divers den is probably the best option huh

IMO, yes.

 

[Giovanni]

That and the fact that males do not ship well for some reason.

I have had the same issue with watanabei males. I purchased a pair and lost the male in about 6 weeks. I purchased another pair and lost the second male in about the same 6 weeks. I currently have had the two remaining females. One is growing larger and way more dominant chasing the other often. Hoping she will turn to a male.

 

[Dmorty217]

All Genicanthus males are poor shippers for whatever reason.

 

[alwmh4]

Interesting. I wonder what's behind that. So if there is any chance in a Bellus female turning male, is there an age (size) where they'd most likely change?

 

[Dmorty217]

Interesting. I wonder what's behind that. So if there is any chance in a Bellus female turning male, is there an age (size) where they'd most likely change?

I personally haven't seen a female Bellus over the 3-3.5" mark so I'm just guessing but around 4" or so

 

[snorvich]

All Genicanthus males are poor shippers for whatever reason.

For sure.

 

[JoeVandal49]

I had two Lamarcks females together for several months. The larger did not like the smaller, but over time aggression decreased. Then one day i came home to the large of the two deceased. Nothing i can peg the death on except possible stress from pairing the two. I would have expected to find the smaller of the two, but it was the opposite. Just my experience with trying to pair Genicanthus. Ill know with time, but currently my single Lamarcks is showing signs of potentially shifting to male.

 

[alwmh4]

My female Bellus arrived today. A large male became available as well and he arrives tomm. Fingers crossed he survives and eats.

 

[snorvich]

My female Bellus arrived today. A large male became available as well and he arrives tomm. Fingers crossed he survives and eats.

Good luck. However the odds are a bit against the male working out.

 

[alwmh4]

I'll report back