Sexing bandit angels

[RayL]

Does anybody know how to tell if a bandit angel is a male or female?

 

[reefwiser]

The bandit angelfish, and most other marine angelfish, are protogynous hermaphrodites. This is caused by the territorialism of males and the females they accompany. One male is often in charge of many females, or a harem. These males are very territorial of the harem, thus, when the male dies and the harem is in need of a new leader, a female changes sex and becomes the new male leader of the harem. Bandit angelfish are mostly females as juveniles; however, some change sex during maturation and become males. This is why there is a large ratio of female to males within this species.

 

[humaguy]

yeah, put a few together, in a big tank you are good to go...

 

[Alberta-newb]

yeah, put a few together, in a big tank you are good to go...

So does that work with the larger angel species as well? I've seen a few more of Wen's annularis babies showing up at a couple LFS's lately. Was tempted by a 0.5" one the other day

 

[RayL]

The bandit angelfish, and most other marine angelfish, are protogynous hermaphrodites. This is caused by the territorialism of males and the females they accompany. One male is often in charge of many females, or a harem. These males are very territorial of the harem, thus, when the male dies and the harem is in need of a new leader, a female changes sex and becomes the new male leader of the harem. Bandit angelfish are mostly females as juveniles; however, some change sex during maturation and become males. This is why there is a large ratio of female to males within this species.

Thank you for the info

 

[RayL]

yeah, put a few together, in a big tank you are good to go...

Haha I wish I could afford a few, just got my first, now saving for the second, but I want to make sure I have the best chance of them getting along, so I don't want two males