Watanabei Angelfish
- Thread starter maysorum
- Start date
tkeracer619
New member
What size tank do you have?
I used to have a pair and they never had aggression issues. They were purchased as a pair.
I have a male lamark that absolutely chases a female bellus. Personally I would let the male be and if you want a female consider a different genicanthus like a bellus. He will likely still make chase. You need a big tank though or the aggression is going to be present, even with a big tank there can be serious aggression.
I used to have a pair and they never had aggression issues. They were purchased as a pair.
I have a male lamark that absolutely chases a female bellus. Personally I would let the male be and if you want a female consider a different genicanthus like a bellus. He will likely still make chase. You need a big tank though or the aggression is going to be present, even with a big tank there can be serious aggression.
I have a 150g display.
So the male will bully the female forever or just a few days?
I would like to keep the male's coloration. I have read that the male's coloring will revert absent other male competition or females.
TheAngelfish
Member
Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't the reason the males bully females is because it stop the female from transitioning into a male? Sorta like wrasse fish?
tkeracer619
New member
I'm not sure I would attempt it in a 150. That isn't much space for two large angels.
The male will start to noticeably turn to a female within a month without a female. Had this happen to me and when I started looking for a female my LFS couldn't find a decent one for almost a month. By then my male had lost most of his stripes and looked to have made the complete transition to a female.
From what I understand, they aren't reverting to female just the coloration changes to the female pattern.
This old thread is interesting:
http://166.78.194.238/forums/showthread.php?t=1440513
79chopperdr
I killed ALL that Coral!
I have three female wantanabei in a 210. There is some chasing from time to time and a established pecking order. I have never seen them cause any physical damage to each other. I added all three at a different times and hoped one would switch to male. Still waiting.....:debi:
In your sitution I would add the second female. Good luck
In your sitution I would add the second female. Good luck
Dmorty217
Saltwater Addict
Without them all being females it's absolutely a gamble
OrionN
Moved on
150 gal should be enough for a harem of Watanabe. If you want to add a female to an existing male, it most likely will be fine. Male do chase female but not to the point of injury. I had my pair since 2012. They were in a 120 gal cube. I moved them to my 320 DT and they did great there, spawn very often. About 6 months ago I found the female on the floor. I bought another female, much smaller than the male. Both doing well and spawned often now. The male is about 6 inches counting the tail runner, and the female is just a tad smaller. I think they have reach full adult size in my tank. This is not very big. Perhaps in the wild, then can get larger. The male have not grow in the last year.
Vinny Kreyling
Premium Member
Had a trio of females, now I just have a trio, and the male does chase the other 2 from time to time every day.
+1... Even with multiple Genicanthus types, 1 dominate male will cause any other Genicanthus males to revert back to female coloring
Blueline12
Member
I started with two small females. As they grew the larger one turned male. Now the male chases the female everyday but causes her no harm. In the late evening he lets her stay out longer and starts his little mating dance with her.
Is the female able to lead a normal fish life? Or is she stuck in hiding?
