Pairing of French angelfish

[guppygoliath]

Does anyone know what size or age French Angelfish pair?

 

[littlefoxx]

Does anyone know what size or age French Angelfish pair?

No, but they do get big. And aggressive. I had to rehome mine after he killed my tusk fish and went after my regal angel. But when I was researching I saw they pair for life but I dont know how to sex them! A pair would be really cool though!

 

[i cant think]

No, but they do get big. And aggressive. I had to rehome mine after he killed my tusk fish and went after my regal angel. But when I was researching I saw they pair for life but I dont know how to sex them! A pair would be really cool though!

From memory, Angels are all born one sex and then transition so theoretically if you get two juveniles and they grow together they’ll eventually pair up.

 

[littlefoxx]

From memory, Angels are all born one sex and then transition so theoretically if you get two juveniles and they grow together they’ll eventually pair up.

True! I was meaning when they are paired as adults

 

[McPuff]

My first thought is that you won't see it in a private aquarium. I've seen French angelfish pairs in the wild and they are HUGE. I don't know what the minimum pairing size is but I've only ever seen very large individuals swimming together. Sexual maturity is 10". The pairs I saw were all around 15-18" long and 3-4" thick.

 

[guppygoliath]

Thx for the responses. The reason I asked. A licensed diver offered a pair for sale, they are 5 and 6 inches. The price for both was very reasonable so I purchased them. When they arrived I placed both into a 92 gallon QT and started treating. I have a large display tank. Size was accurate btw and they have subadult coloration. For the first three days they appeared to be fine together with zero aggression and eating great. Now the smaller of the two hides in the top corner and its fins are torn. I have witnessed some chasing but in general it’s left alone while hiding. My QT process is long, about 40 days, as I always treat with prazi, copper and febendazole. I usually formalin dip them out of the bag but a leaking bag and a stressed fish prevented it. Anyway, I’m reluctant to separate them because if they really are a pair maybe it would break it. I would also be surprised that the diver could make a mistake and also it’s not a crazy aggression, as I understand angles can exhibit with the same species If a pair is impossible at this size, I’d rather not put the smaller one through more bullying and stress. Any more thoughts. Thx.

 

[guppygoliath]

Any opinion if I should separate or not? If I do, could it break a pair? Can they pair at this size? The smaller constantly hides. Or should I ride it out if it’s not suffering more damaged other than ripped fins?

 

[i cant think]

Any opinion if I should separate or not? If I do, could it break a pair? Can they pair at this size? The smaller constantly hides. Or should I ride it out if it’s not suffering more damaged other than ripped fins?

I’d ride it out if it’s not much worse than ripped fins - it’s likely just them showing whose boss until the other backs out. Could also attempt the mirror trick and see if it breaks it up further. I’ve managed it with certain wrasses but others it just doesn’t work on so I’m not sure how it would work with angels (my majestic left it alone but she’s never been aggressive) - worth a shot though.

 

[guppygoliath]

Thank you. Here is a pic from when they first entered QT