In this blog we will discuss angelfish mating and fighting behavior. This blog will help novice angelfish keepers particularly,as it is very difficult to make out, if they are mating or fighting.
Overview
In this blog
- How can you tell if an angelfish is fighting or mating?
- How do angelfish behave during mating?
- How do angelfish behave during fighting?
- Will the angelfish fight to the death?
- How to prevent angelfish from fighting?
- What is angelfish mating ritual and how to monitor those rituals?
- Can too many angelfish live together in the same aquarium?
- Summary
- Frequently asked questions
- Reference
How can you tell if an angelfish is fighting or mating?
Angelfish are very popular freshwater fish known for their beautiful appearance, playful personalities, and inquisitive tendencies.
Angelfish are a type of cichlid and therefore tend to be somewhat aggressive. They remain the most peaceful species of cichlids and often get along well in community aquarium environments.
During breeding, angelfish chase each other before and after mating. You will know that as they flip their fins and lock their lips to make them look bigger while chasing each other.Females exhibit aggressive behavior when preparing to lay eggs.
When freshwater angelfish seem to be pecking or nibbling each other, it is usually a sign of aggression.Regardless of gender, if there are too many of the same sex, aggressive behavior becomes equivalent.
Angelfish are known for their violent mating rituals.It can be difficult to tell if an angelfish is mating or fighting,if you are new to angelfish keeping.
Knowing the gender of the angelfish makes it easier to judge the mating or fighting behavior of the angelfish.
How do angelfish behave during mating?
The most obvious sign of spawning between a pair of angelfish is pairing behavior.Females ready to lay eggs show a swollen belly and can be more aggressive to their tankmates.
Two adult angelfish ready to lay eggs spend time caring for each other.Behaviors such as locking the lips or chasing each other are usually signs of mating.
One thing that many fish owners often notice is that their angelfish will spin around closing their mouths together. This is not a cause for concern, this is a completely normal behavior for these fish.
Angelfish mating signs:
- Flash fins
- Face off
- Lock their mouths
- Twist around.
- When a couple has been formed, they will choose a spawning site and start cleaning it together.
Male angelfish mating behavior
- Male angelfish flap their pectoral fins to attract female angelfish.
- Male angelfish are aggressive to each other during the breeding season.
Female angelfish mating behavior
- A female freshwater angelfish will have swollen bellies.
- Female angelfish become aggressive against other aquarium companions during spawning to protect their eggs.
- Female angelfish become territorial/aggressive when protecting their young.
How do angelfish behave during fighting?
The main reason Angelfish fight is because of their territory. This is especially true if you have multiple fish of the same sex in your tank. Like many other animal species, these fish too want to establish their dominance, especially among members of the opposite sex.
Freshwater angelfish do not want other fish to invade their private space and steal their partner, although freshwater angelfish do not keep the same partner for life.
If you have a freshwater angelfish that is mating, they may also become territorial because they don’t want other fish to invade their personal space.
Angelfish fighting signs:
- Angelfish hit each other with their tails
- Angelfish chase each other around the tank
- Nipping each other’s fins
- Staring at each other
Will the angelfish fight each other to the death?
Fighting to death is not common for angelfish. However, this is not always impossible, especially if two or more are grouped together in a small tank. To avoid this, only one male should be in the aquarium at a time.
How to prevent angelfish from fighting?
- When angelfish are forced to be in a crowded tank, it is more difficult for them to swim without bumping into each other.To prevent angelfish from fighting in an aquarium, you need to keep them in a bigger tank.
- The best way to prevent quarrels is to have only females, or a few females and one male.
- Maintain a balanced population of male and female angelfish. If you have too many females, they may become aggressive when it comes time to lay eggs.
- Too many males can lead to fights and chases, both signs of aggression.
- Do not confuse the fight with mating. Males often chase females to breed with females.
- You can also rearrange tanks and add new plants and decorations.This changes the land placement,confuses angelfish and makes it difficult for them to assert territorial claims.
- Divide the male angelfish into different tanks or put a divider in your aquarium.
- Partition walls are attached to the top and bottom of the tank with suction cups and are used to separate aggressive fish, for breeding purposes or for rearing young fish.
- Keeping smaller schools of fish in the tank for the angels to chase will prevent them from chasing each other or bullying each other.
- Angelfish will fight because they are territorial. One way to keep the peace is to wipe out the territories your angelfish have secured.
What is angelfish mating ritual and how to monitor those rituals?
Angelfish have a fairly aggressive mating ritual that resembles the way they fight. This is definitely a concern for many, as it is clear that you do not want your angelfish to hurt each other.
It is important to make sure you are on the lookout for your fish. Angelfish don’t tend to hurt each other badly, but it’s always possible and you need to prevent it from happening. And by monitoring the fish, you can be sure you know what’s going on.
Angelfish tend to be separated from each other if they are fighting, but if they are mating you will usually see them together or with their eggs. Fertilized eggs are transparent, unfertilized eggs are white.
Can too many angelfish live together in the same aquarium?
Angelfish keepers state that their angelfish tend to be very violent. If you are concerned about the safety of your fish, you can always separate the fish. Due to its territorial nature, it is not advisable to keep many angelfish in the same aquarium at once.
However, these battles usually end quickly and do not occur very often. If you are worried about what will happen, monitor the behavior of the fish.
Summary
It will be easier to determine angelfish mating or fighting behavior if you know the gender of the angelfish. Behaviors such as locking lips and following each other are usually signs of mating.
However, if you notice them chasing each other, biting each other, or flapping each other with their tails, this could be a sign of a fight.
Angelfish mating rituals can look like bullying or quarreling.This includes males desperately chasing females in the tank.
Freshwater angelfish lock their lips when the male and female are trying to reproduce. If you notice this happening with 2 males, it’s probably a conflict.
Put the angelfish in the largest aquarium possible. A large aquarium with ample space for fish to swim and explore will help reduce stress that can ultimately lead to aggression.
By adding plants and decorations to hide, angelfish can retreat to their own space and territory. Large open tanks lead to attacks as each angel has no choice but to fight and protect the only space in the tank.
Frequently asked questions
Are both male and female freshwater angelfish aggressive?
Male freshwater angels are more aggressive and energetic than female angelfish. You’ll often find them chasing their tank companions, guarding an area, or occasionally participating in biting.
What does it mean when freshwater angel fish lock their lips?
Angelfish lock their lips as part of a mating ritual just before looking for a spawning ground. They also do so to show their dominance. It can be difficult to distinguish between the two behaviors, especially for new aquarists.
Is it easier to determine angelfish mating or fighting behavior?
If you know the gender of the angelfish, it will be easier to determine the mating or fighting behavior of the angelfish.
Are angelfish particular about their personal space?
If you have a mating pair of freshwater angelfish, they may become territorial as they don’t want other tank mates to invade their personal space.
Is it possible to keep two male angelfish together?
Male freshwater angels are more aggressive and energetic than females. You’ll often find them chasing their tank companions, guarding an area, or occasionally participating in biting.Two female angelfish do not fight each other like male angelfish do.
Do male and female angelfish have different lip-locking behavior?
Male and female angelfish lock their lips when they attempt to breed but If you notice that this is happening with two male angelfish, it is probably a fight.
