Majestic Angel Trio

[rnscross]

I have a pair of majestics (one juvi transitioning, the other a small adult) and I was wondering whether other people think I might be pushing it toooo far by trying to create a trio. The LFS has a healthy eating juvi also in the transitioning stage and is about 1/2" smaller than the juvi I currently have. They are destined for a 180g in the interim with the planning for a 8x3 tank in the long term (and yes i do know the addage, stock for the tank you have now not the one you plan to get) but this will be the only opportunity to try this as later on they will kill any new additions.

So should I just be happy that I've managed to get two to peacefully coexist or should I try a trio whilst I have a chance?

Social acclimation in a breeding box within the aquarium will occur with any excissive or prolonged aggression resulting in the 2nd juvi being removed to a separate QT tank and passed on to another reefer.

 

[moonpod]

I'm sure someone will flame me for this but I say GO FOR IT. How cool would a trio be? It seems like you have a reasonable plan if it doesn't pan out

 

[jd474]

From someone who kept a pair in a tank over 10 000 gal., whether you try 2 or 3, when they are adults, at some point, you will end up with 1 or none. And it ain't pretty watching fish like that destroy each other.

 

[rnscross]

From someone who kept a pair in a tank over 10 000 gal., whether you try 2 or 3, when they are adults, at some point, you will end up with 1 or none. And it ain't pretty watching fish like that destroy each other.

hmmm ok. I will keep that in mind. Can you remember at what size they started to dislike each other? And did you get them as a pair or did you create the pair yourself?

 

[flameangel88]

If you're willing to take the tank apart if things don't work out then I would say give it a try but be prepare to spend a lot of time monitoring them (this should be the fun part whenever one tries to form a pair, trio or harem). I must admit this is the part I enjoy the most in keeping fish. There are fish that is best left in the ocean but that's another thread.

 

[rnscross]

the majestics we get are locally caught and dont seem to suffer the same fragility that the ones that get sent to you do, if thats what you're talking about being left in the ocean?

 

[flameangel88]

Sorry I wasn't clear on it, I meant the more sensitive fish such as the grifis, regal, multibarred and the list goes on. Figure how many comes across before finding a healthy specimen that will actually survive.

Do you have any pictures of your current pair? If you ever decide to try the trio please post some pics/video.

 

[rnscross]

I've only got a bad picture of the juvi as all my fish and corals are currently in a holding tank.

 

[snorvich]

Well part of me hopes you try it but part of me thinks it is risky. If you have a fall back plan . . .

 

[ccampbell57]

If there is no good picture of then together they are not a pair. True pairs will swim together and will not accept a third. I would try it in my 600g tank but think that is still too small.

Good luck

 

[Jeremy Blaze]

If there is no good picture of then together they are not a pair. True pairs will swim together and will not accept a third. I would try it in my 600g tank but think that is still too small.

Good luck

what he said.

2 doesn't make a 'pair" a male and a female of the same species coexisiting and mating, or at least showing courting, pair interactions, make a pair.

Do you know the sex of these?

 

[el aguila]

I'm watching this one. When Copps visited our club, I talked to him extensively about how to do a trio of Regals in a tank. The way my fish stocking has went I was thinking about changing to Majestics instead. If you try it, keep everyone posted on how it works out.

 

[rnscross]

If there is no good picture of then together they are not a pair. True pairs will swim together and will not accept a third. I would try it in my 600g tank but think that is still too small.

Good luck

I cant even get a good picture of the larger one as its still too skittish around me, let alone one of them together. They spend all their time together in a cave so thats why I say pair, but you are correct in that they are not a "pair" as far as mating/breeding behaviour go.

The fact that one is still a juvinile and thus hasn't gone through puberty (or at least thats the best desciption of what occurs that I've been able to find, as I couldnt find any scientific journals) also means that true "pair" like behaviour is unlikely to be seen.

The larger female also needs to fully sex change, and getting a difinitive timeline of this event has been hard to source. So my best guess would be that the smaller one is a sexless "female" and the larger one a Female thats turning, given that the juvi went from full juvi colours to that photo in 24hrs.

The aquarium is an unnatural environment, with fish behaviour changing from that which is seen in the wild. Alot of what can be done comes down to the individual fish, luck and the way in which it is done. I am going to attempt this as I think that there is a chance that it may work as the fish are still in their juvi/transition colouration, which seems to be one of the only times at which you can gauge the sex of the fish as not male.

I will try to keep you updated as to what occurs.

 

[ccampbell57]

I cant even get a good picture of the larger one as its still too skittish around me, let alone one of them together. They spend all their time together in a cave so thats why I say pair, but you are correct in that they are not a "pair" as far as mating/breeding behaviour go.

The fact that one is still a juvinile and thus hasn't gone through puberty (or at least thats the best desciption of what occurs that I've been able to find, as I couldnt find any scientific journals) also means that true "pair" like behaviour is unlikely to be seen.

The larger female also needs to fully sex change, and getting a difinitive timeline of this event has been hard to source. So my best guess would be that the smaller one is a sexless "female" and the larger one a Female thats turning, given that the juvi went from full juvi colours to that photo in 24hrs.

The aquarium is an unnatural environment, with fish behaviour changing from that which is seen in the wild. Alot of what can be done comes down to the individual fish, luck and the way in which it is done. I am going to attempt this as I think that there is a chance that it may work as the fish are still in their juvi/transition colouration, which seems to be one of the only times at which you can gauge the sex of the fish as not male.

I will try to keep you updated as to what occurs.

The issue is not with the fish when they are juvenilles. I have had plenty of "paired" fish when they are small as they will tolerate eachother. The big concern will come in when they are at true pairing size (5-7") and are full of brutal angel aggression. I would make sure that you have the ability to pull one or 2 of them when the dominant decides not to play nice at a later stage.

I will be looking for a update in 1-2 years time.

 

[rnscross]

I've thought about that in my deliberations, I'm fortunate in that I will be running a very large sump (5'x2') in addition to having a medium sized QT (4x18). I'm hoping it works, but nothing in this hobby is guaranteed. If I do need to capture one/two, then I can use it as an excuse for an overhaul..

 

[rnscross]

Unfortunately the fish passed away, it was involved in a syphon accident at the LFS and although seemed fine at the LFS it didnt survive the journey home. The LFS can order another one in, but I dont think I'm going to do it as the timing will be out for my new set up and maybe this was a sign from the universe that this was never meant to be lol.

On the bright side I think my larger majestic is starting to like me and come out to play more. Hopefully I can get a photo soon.