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FAQ INDEX

What's a spawning slate?

A SPAWNING SLATE -- or two -- should be kept in the breeding tank. Otherwise, your pair may get into the annoying habit of spawning on tank walls or tubing. Discourage this by putting plastic plants around the old spawning site. Avoid wide leaf plants, another favorite in the wild.

Some breeders use clay pots, poly pipe, or plain slate rectangles. I find the fixture illustrated here safer and more convenient. You could take this picture to a local tile shop and buy slate pieces cut as shown. Or score slate deeply with a file or hack saw and snap over a dowel. Boil to clean or run through 2 cycles of your dishwasher -- use no soap-- and assemble using silicone rubber cement.

Make at least two. If you remove the eggs, you can replace the slate to reduce parental trauma. The eggs may be exposed to air for a few moments with no ill effects. The fixture may be laid down to fit into the shallower fry tank.

FAQ INDEX

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If you want quick help from the experts, please go to The Angelfish Forum!

Topic: angel fish
Author: Paulina
Email: rp21@cros.net
Date: 14 Jul 1999
Time: 07:05:15
Help, my angels laid eggs now I don't know what to do. It is their 3rd time. This is the only batch I have been able to save it is their 4th day they are all white. Are they alive or did they die.

If the eggs are all white, they are dead.

It's not unusual for parents to eat their first few spawns. Many things could be going on here. If you let me know more details, I may be able to give better answers. pH? Hardness? Tanks sizes? Separate fry tank?

Topic: eggs
Author: Stella
Email: Alstar@prodigy.com
Date: 23 Jul 1999
Time: 13:28:38
My angels laid eggs two days ago. I removed the leaves they were on and put them in a covered jar but left them in the aquarium. Most of them are white. How long should I wait to see if any hatch? Is there something I should do to them?

Infertile eggs will all turn white within 48 hours.

If you're trying to raise them away from the parents, then be sure to use a fungicide, or they'll probably get the fuzzy white growth.

Try to get the pair used to spawning on slate rectangles, much more convenient for you, and easier on the plants! Amazon sword plants are almost irresistible to parents, maybe you should move it out. They may remember this plant from their past...

Most but not all white? Great, you may have a fertile male! If they are very young, they'll improve with practice. When they get serious about cleaning a spawning site, it may help to cut the filter / bubbler flows back to just a trickle, next time.

Topic: answer to Stella
Author: João Palhoça
Email:
Date: 18 Aug 1999
Time: 17:00:10
If the eggs are white it means that they are probably dead. Try to live them with their parents because they take care of them. They clean and ventilate the eggs and protect them from others.

I love to watch parents care for the young. They show their best colors then, and they are typically so solicitous. I have one Silver daddy here that splashes water on me whenever I open the tank lid. Once I had a Black Lace poppa who would jump out to bite me. I kept a towel on the floor to catch him and make it easy to return him to the tank.

There are times you may still want to remove the eggs, like when:

Many breeders choose NOT to raise fry from parents who don't know how to raise their own... it perpetuates strains that have lost the ability.

Topic: Flagstone Spawning Slate
Author: Gary Tobin
Email: gary.tobin@us.nycomed-amersham.com
Date: 06 Aug 1999
Time: 10:40:02
Is it possible to use Pennsylvania Flagstone as the spawning slate material? Would this type of rock alter the water quality? Should I do a muriatic acid test on the stone?

Muriatic acid might flunk ANY stone, I'm not sure. You'll have to check with a geologist to see if your slate substitute is free from trace elements that could harm fish... OR maybe do a bioassy:
- wash the stones in your dishwasher, no soap
- soak in a bucket for a month
- put in some cull fish and see if they survive for a month...

Topic: angel fish eggs
Author: Janette
Email: wadejancourt@silyn-tek.de
Remote User:
Date: 30 Aug 1999
I just noticed yesterday that my angel fish laid eggs. Today when I woke up they were gone. Do they ever move them around, or should I assume that they moved them. Before I went to bed I noticed them putting some in their mouth and swimming to other side of tank. Also how often do they lay eggs?

Yep, parents love to move the eggs and very young schools of fry here and there. One pair I have moves them to the top of the sponge!

They will spawn every 12-24 days if they are healthy and if the water is right.

Topic: Angel Fish
Author: Stefan
Email: jpbd@localdial.com
Remote User:
Date: 12 Sep 1999
Hi, I'm a beginner and I have only just got some fish already my angel fish have spawned. The had spawned on my Glass cleaner (One of the magnetic ones) I wondered if this may affect the eggs? also I'm worried about the eggs because many of them are white and some are clear! Please can you tell me what this means?

If some are clear after 48 hours, you probably have a fertile pair, congratulations. Read the whole FAQ and decide if you want to raise baby angels...

Topic: Breading Angelfish
Author: Jack Snooky
Email: jacksnooky@yahoo.com
Remote User:
Date: 17 Sep 1999
I haven't bought any fish yet I was told that the fish had to pick their own mates. If this is true how many fish should I buy. If I buy 50 fry how many pairs should I expect to get if any.

Ask a statistician (high-school math teacher or gambler) what the odds are. If you raise 2, it's 50-50. Three, it can be MMM, MMF, MFF, FFF, FFM, or FFF, a 66.6% chance of a pair. Somebody have a formula for this problem? Please contribute it.

Topic: success
Author: stefan
Email: slow_gold99@yahoo.com
Remote User:
Date: 18 Sep 1999
I have loads of fry and are doing well! thanks for the advice!

Glad to help!

Topic: angel fish
Author: Anna
Email: anna501@mailcity.com
Remote User:
Date: 27 Sep 1999
Time: 12:10:55
Could you tell me what are the perfect conditions for a angel fish? (pH, hardness, tank sizes etc.) thank you.

There are no perfect conditions, just some that work better than others. I've described what works for me and a few others. Please read the FAQ and ask questions about what's not clear, I'm counting on guests to make this thing better.

Topic: raising the fry
Author: Ken
Email: rowdyism69@aol.com
Remote User:
Date: 29 Sep 1999
Time: 21:16:07
My fry hatched about 2 days ago. What do I do? I am now feeding them liquid food. Is there any thing else? I have already separated the fry from the adults. Need help!

I was in Alaska when you wrote this, Ken... hope the FAQ helped you. Maybe you can print out the printable version and study it, or ask specific questions. And don't be alarmed if they all die, it's very rare to raise any without using live baby brine shrimp. At least you have a good pair, if you want to take the trouble to try to raise fry, that's critical!

Topic: Beginner on angelfish
Author: Alan O'brien
Email: djobrien@indigo.ie
Remote User:
Date: 02 Oct 1999
I'm just getting into Angelfish and want to know how many angelfish I should get starting off? I want to breed them but not straight away. Could you tell me what conditions I need for just keeping them to look at and for breeding them (in case there are different in the conditions). How many eggs to they lay and how many fry should survive? and what are the best types of angle fish should I use for show and for breeding? Any help would be great. Alan 'O Brien, Ireland.

I may have answered all these questions in the FAQ, please check it again. Perhaps the printable version would be best for off-line study???

Topic: sexing my angel fish
Author: roger
Email: roger@ix.net.au
Remote User:
Date: 06 Oct 1999
Time: 08:29:47
how do I tell if my angel fish are male or female and how do I bread them

RTFFAQ ... (Read the FINE FAQ) here. That's why I am here!

Topic: angel fish
Author: Jonathan
Email: jbandaya@globetel.com.ph
Date: 09 Oct 1999
is it important that the fry tank must be shallower?

No.

Topic: angel fish have eggs
Author: Tammy Worm
Email: Rworm@tcworks.net
Remote User:
Date: 21 Oct 1999
Time: 07:08:19
My angels lay eggs all the time. We have our tank in a day spa salon. They have eggs now for the first time have kept them alive without eating them for 4 days. How long is it before the eggs hatch? The clearer eggs have turned white? What does that mean? We do not have time to remove them and care for them could they actually have them and care for them naturally? What do I need to do to take care of them if they do hatch? I have other angels in the tank along with other fish. They keep them away from the eggs. My father who is deceased now successfully raised angels without taking them from their natural habitat and the parents were excellent parents. they kept the babies between them and cared for them. So I know it can be done. I just don't remember how he did it? Can you help? Thanks so much!

If you want to raise angels, all the information is right here. But it's a lot of trouble. Those eggs are like caviar to adults (sometimes even the parents...)

Topic: Removing the fry from the parents
Author:
Email:
Remote User:
Date: 14 Nov 1999
If you remove the eggs or the fry too early the fry will not learn brood care and their young would have to be artificially raised too. This is unadvisable as to many cichlids these days eat their fry as a result of this and it is up to you to raise them properly and naturally with the parents - not artificially away from the parents.

I've had fry that I raised away from the parents that were successful parents themselves. I can't say for sure that parenting only learned, and not instinctive. But some fancy strains, which have been in captivity a long time, seem to have lost the ability.

Topic: angel eggs
Author:
Email: pogfrog@thegrid.net
Remote User:
Date: 23 Nov 1999
Mine do lay on the tubing, I have them in sections, so all I do is remove the part the eggs are on transfer to the raising tank and make sure they have plenty of air current. I've noticed that the eggs come off a few days after this and go the bottom of the tank, where they die amongst the gravel. This latest batch I took off the tube and put in a submerged container and have the airflow along with the added anti-fungal, so far so good, been killing a lot lately and we all learn from our mistakes huh. Wish me luck! >)))*>

You'll need more than luck if you still have gravel! Bare bottoms only!!!

Topic: deciding sexes
Author: Carolyn
Email: Chefgirl 8575
Remote User:
Date: 06 Dec 1999
I have 6 angel fish and I believe I have two breeding pairs. I have separated the pairs into different tanks and one pair seems to eat their eggs almost immediately and the other keeps theirs until some of them turn white. first of all how do I know if I have a male and a female and secondly what do I do to keep the eggs from turning white I have the methylene but have not had the chance to use it yet. could you please help?

Use the methylene blue, only if you separate the eggs from the parents.

Some parents NEVER learn not to eat the eggs, some catch on after a few tries.

Topic: "Baby" Angels
Author: Cherie
Email: plahy2@aol.com
Remote User:
Date: 06 Dec 1999
I have a 15 gallon tank with 3 angels in which 2 have paired up and laid eggs. There are a lot of eggs (approximately 200)at a stage where their little tails are sticking out. The parents are taking care of them well, but I was wondering since this is their first time laying eggs what are the odds that some of them will survive?

In a tank with 3 angels, the chances are slim... 

Topic: tank size
Author:
Email: wwpiper@aol.com
Remote User:
Date: 18 Dec 1999
what should the tank size be for a pair of angel for breeding?

That's covered in another page, try this link:
 What's the ideal setup for a breeding pair?

Topic:
Author:
Email: wwpiper@aol.com
Remote User:
Date: 19 Dec 1999
how many breeding pair can be put in a 55 gal. tank?

One breeding pair, if you want to raise fry. If not, maybe 10 individuals or 5 pair. The more fish, the more water changes and aeration are needed.

Topic:
Author:
Email: wwpiper@aol.com
Remote User:
Date: 20 Dec 1999
first I would like to thank you for all the help you have gave me. now with my ? can you have gravel in the tank with the angels I was told no but I'm not sure that I understood right. again thank you.

Do you want to raise fry? Then NO gravel. None. Nada.

Topic: Angelfish - Feeding Parents?
Author: Alan
Email: yeoa@e-m-solutions.com
Remote User:
Date: 07 Jan 2000
Hi, I was wondering if it is OK to feed the parents while they are in the same tank as their fry?

Yes.

BTW the fry are free swimming now. I have seen the parents take the fry in their mouth and spit them on the same place they laid the eggs. I'm afraid the parents will eat their fry...should I remove the parents? As far as I know, this is their first time raising a brood.

If they don't eat them in the first 2 days, chances are they will never eat the fry. Most parents work their tails off, trying to paste the little guys back on the slate. It's wonderful to see them care for and protect their fry!

I've had whole schools of fry disappear at this stage... and I thought maybe the parents ate them. But, next time around, removing the parents or eggs changed nothing, they all died anyway. I went through a period of 'total fry death' ... lasted six months. Don't know what caused it, or why it stopped. I tried so many things...

Many fry will die... some parents will eat the dead ones, so you never see them. It's not unusual to hatch 800-1200. From this, a good yield is 100-200 survivors.

Topic: Parents raising their own fry.
Author:
Email: butterfly1985@hotmail.com
Remote User:
Date: 08 Jan 2000
What are the advantages of letting the parents raise their own fry? My angels have only had fry once before and I separated them into another tank but they died on their eighth day of swimming and I'm not sure what I did wrong.

Do have a look at my page "My Angelfish fry are dying. What can I do?"

Topic: Parents raising their own fry.
Author:
Email: butterfly1985@hotmail.com
Remote User:
Date: 08 Jan 2000
What are the advantages of letting the parents raise their own fry? My angels have only had fry once before and I separated them into another tank but they all died on their eighth day of swimming and I'm not sure what I did wrong.

Topic: Blue Bayou
Author: Iggy
Email: igneousrock@earthlink.net
Remote User:
Date: 01 Feb 2000
Time: 14:44:10

Comments

Not an exact science! I have a breeding pair of angels in a 20g hex. They have had multiple eggs and I currently have 14 beautiful babies living happily in another tank. The new fry are being raised by the parents. When they were still eggs (some with fuzz) I put methylene blue in the tank. All is going well. My question is, "What implications should I be aware of after treating the tank with blue?" peace

 

Topic: Angel Fish
Author: ALEXANDER RADEV
Email: alsoft1@hotmail.com
Date: 02 Feb 2000
Hi my name is Alexander Radev i me from Bulgaria and first sorry for my bad English. I have 2 Angel Fish "Pterophyllum Scalare" male and female. My problem is the female Scalare will blast from egg but she not drop the egg please help mi. I want to know what must the water pH and if you have a time writing.

Please write and give me more details... if the page on What about water? is not clear enough...

Topic: angel fish
Author: Eddie
Email: Intrugel@netzero.net
Date: 04 Feb 2000
I've had angels for about a year now and still no breeding. Confirmed male and female, old enough, keep conditions clean, fish seem to be very healthy.

Please send more details. Do you do daily 25% water changes???

Topic: separate tanks
Author: mike
Email: hornetq101@aol.com
Remote User:
Date: 06 Feb 2000
I need to know if you can have angelfish parents and their young in the same tank and be raised successfully? Yes. Another question i have is what is the best strain of angelfish to get for an inexperienced person wanting to breed angelfish: the heartiest, best number of fry per spawn, and easiest to maintain etc.

I like the common silver strain, hardier, better parents, gentler, can take more abuse and survive on dry food...

 

Topic: angel fish
Author: Dan
Email: YoMama316@Webtv.net
Date: 05 Feb 2000
i have five angelfish, but one angelfish goes after the one but it also flashes its fins and locks jaws with another. Should I put the two angelfish that lock jaws and flash their fins in another tank or should I just let them lay their eggs in my community tank?

Lip locking is strictly a boy-girl game. Give them some privacy, or all their spawn will become somebody's breakfast.

What is the proper set up for a tank with a breeding pair in it?

Try this link: What's the ideal setup for a breeding pair?

(plants, aeration, gravel or glass bottom,etc) thank you

This is covered in a great link, the Angelfish Breeding FAQ. I believe you'll find all the answers to all these questions there. If not, let me know, and I'll try to help.

How long should it take for a possible breeding pair to lay their eggs? Approximately what size and color are they?

Spawning takes an hour or two. You can see them easily with bad eyes, they're about the size of poppy seeds, but clear-yellowish, in a patch 2-3 inches by one inch wide (or 3 by 6 cm.)

Where are they usually placed in a tank?

RTFFAQ. Angels prefer (1) Amazon Sword Plants (2) a tilted slate (3) any vertical surface: heater, tubing, filter tubes, tank walls. I keep a slate in there while they're growing up. They usually either spawn on it, or move the spawn to the slate in the first 3 or 4 days.

How would I condition my angelfish to breed? (food, water condition, lighting, etc)

1) RTFFAQ (Read the 'fine' FAQ.) If you have questions that aren't covered well, please let me know, I need your help!

Would you be able to tell me if there are any breeders in my area?

You can look for breeders in your area by clicking Breeder's Registry at the top of every page on the site. About 60 have registered there so far.

If you join our mailing list, the ABFAQ Updates, and fill in the answers about city, state, and zip code, let me know and I'll try to find Angelfish owners (about 500 registered) or / Angelfish breeders (about 80 registered.) I will NOT give you their email addresses, however, this is private information. BUT you may send an email letter to them, and I'll forward it... so they will have your address, and can respond if they wish.

I have two angelfish in a separate tank. they both are showing papillae. The one angelfish has a bigger one than the other. The one with the bigger papilla is the female...right?

Yes.

I know I shouldn't have gravel in a tank with a breeding pair of angels, but should I take the gravel out or should I just leave it in until they are done laying their eggs and after they hatch?

If you're going to be a breeder, take out the gravel ASAP. If you wait 'till they are free swimming, you can kiss them goodbye.

Topic: Baby Angels
Author: Carly
Email: butterfly1985@hotmail.com
Remote User:
Date: 09 Feb 2000
My angelfish had laid eggs three times and both times I've put them in another tank and successfully raised them to their eighth day of swimming. Except on the eighth and ninth days they all seem to die.

This is a great question. I'm going to add a new question, "My fry are dying at eight days... what can I do?"

Guess what? This happens a lot to beginners AND even happens now and then to experienced breeders! If you'd like to send me complete detail... tank sizes, fish strains, fish ages and sizes, water pH, dH, treatment process, food you use, appearance when they're dying, and other details, I may be able to help you, and meanwhile formulate a good answer to the "fry dying" question.

Is it better to sacrifice a few when cleaning the bottom to give it a good clean?

I siphon into a white bucket, give it a stir, and suck up the babies with a small wand and tube, and put 'em back. I describe this on the page What's the ideal setup for fry?

 Also how often are they suppose to breed? Mine only breed about once every two months. Is this normal? Thanks for your help.

This question is answered in this huge ABFAQ somewhere, I think. If your water conditions, water changing schedule, temperature, feeding, and other factors are right, every 10-21 days is typical. Write and tell me about your conditions, OK?

Topic: Parents
Author: Carly
Email: butterfly1985@hotmail.com
Remote User:
Date: 09 Feb 2000
My angelfish parents are in a community tank which is only two foot long. I raise my fry in another two foot long tank. Because both tanks are the same size I can't take the Parents and put them with their babies.

??? two feet is a BIG tank!

Is it cruel to let them live in a tank with no gravel or plants?

Cruel? Gravel is cruel, even with no filter, fry swim in and never come out. I don't think Angels need any furniture, live or plastic plants to be happy. They watch each other ... and me ... a lot, that seems to keep mine happy. Decorations are for the owner, not the fish, in my opinion.

Also if I do let the parents raise the fry can they live with just the babies bubbles and then the babies filter? How many angels should I expect to survive if I start with around 350 eggs. (I'm only a beginner).

350 eggs is a SMALL spawn, 800-1200 is typical... see our counting grid for details on estimating egg counts. If you study and apply this FAQ carefully, and have a LOT of room and money for tanks and heaters, you may raise 200-500 every two weeks. If you use gravel... zero. Dead food... zero to 50.

Topic: breeders
Author: mike
Email: hornetq101@aol.com
Date: 09 Feb 2000
Can you tell me if there are any breeders in my area?

Er, let's see... you're from AOL, right? USA? Lots of breeders in the USA! You can look for breeders in your area by clicking Breeder's Registry at the top of every page on the site. About 60 have registered there so far.

If you join our mailing list, the ABFAQ Updates, and fill in the answers about city, state, and zip code, let me know and I'll try to find Angelfish owners (about 500 registered) or / Angelfish breeders (about 80 registered.) I will NOT give you their email addresses, however, this is private information. BUT you may send an email letter to them, and I'll forward it... so they will have your address, and can respond if they wish.

Topic: food
Author: katia
Email: mistybleu69@caramail.com
Date: 10 Feb 2000
i know that you said that baby brine shrimp are the best for the fish but dose river shrimp (freeze dried) the same and would it be ok ????

Why can't you raise baby brine shrimp?

I'm not familiar with that food. The biggest problem with any 'dead' food, is that what the fry don't eat falls to the bottom and rots very quickly... while baby brine shrimp live and swim for 4-6 hours. The fry get used to looking in the dead and rotting food, and seldom leave the tank bottom. Bacteria and other bugs attack them there. Overfeeding and underfeeding are a huge problem. Watch for cloudy or scummy water, signs of bacteria "bloom", and do 90% water changes 2 or 3 times daily until it stops.

I have raised 20 to 50 fry with "decapsulated" brine shrimp eggs... but I must clean the bottom an hour after each feeding, and feed at least once every 6 hours. Other dead foods reportedly used are egg yolk suspension and  "Liquifry". If your food works, let us know, especially if your raise 20 or more fry. More likely is ... zero.

In my opinion, it's a lot more trouble to raise 20 fry with dead foods than 200-500 with live baby brine shrimp... you must feed 4 or 5 times a day, instead of 2-3; you will change out 50-90% of the water once or twice per day, instead of 25-50% per day.

Thanks for the question. I'll be adding one to the ABFAQ:
How can I raise fry without hatching brine shrimp?
I think I've been delaying this until someone came back with some sure-fire procedure...

Topic: asking for help
Author: daryl
Email: daryllam@singnet.com.sg
Date: 12 Feb 2000
Hello, I would like to tell you that your pages are really helpful.. I have a little problem, my angels have laid eggs for the first time.. and I'm inexperience. They have laid their eggs on the filter tube in my tank. ( it's an overhead filter, I've switched that off and put in an air stone ) and I do not intend to take the eggs out. I presume that they are healthy ( not white ) but my fish tank is filled with gravel, plants, wood, etc... How? I have already removed all the other fish leaving only the parents.... Seriously I have not the faintest idea what to do next...Could you please advise me.. Thank You

Yes. Read the Angelfish Breeding FAQ, these questions are all dealt with at the Index to FAQ pages

Topic: eggs
Author: DAN
Email: YoMama316@Webtv.net
Date: 14 Feb 2000

Comments

I have two angelfish in a separate tank. They one angel laid eggs about a week ago, and right when she would lay a strip of eggs the other would follow up right behind her and eat every single one of them....How do I know if they are a breeding pair if the one is eating the eggs? should I wait until they lay eggs again? Thank you

Your male may figure out what he's supposed to do in time, when the hormones kick in. Give him a few months, maybe he'll get the idea. If not, the female will eventually become disgusted and quit spawning.

If your second fish is a female, it would be unusual for HER to eat the eggs! The ladies are often eager to help; I've seen them actually make spawning passes, and try to do the male's work... chances are you have either a young male, or just an infertile one. Good luck, this is a problem we all face, now and then. VERY frustrating!

Topic: Male or Female
Author: Charlene
Email: char_rushing@hotmail.com
Date: 19 Feb 2000

Comments

What is the difference of a Male angel to a Female angel? I have 6 angels in one tank but I can't tell which is which. Thank You.

See How can I tell the males from the females?  

Topic: Angel fish
Author: Pattie
Email: pattie_ervin@hotmail.com
Date: 20 Feb 2000

Comments

I have just noticed angelfish eggs on one of my tubes in the aquarium. They are spawning at this time. We seem to have 100+ eggs that are a cream color and somewhat translucent. I do not have another tank and have 5 other species of fish. My tank is 55 gallons. Should I make a divider of some kind? Suggestions would be helpful if a divider is needed. Also if that is what I should do, do I leave the mom in with the eggs? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Your Angels need privacy. See Can I raise baby Angels in a community tank?

Another question, please. I have a tiger barb that is extremely pregnant. Anything I can do to ensure the safety of her young?

Look for the Tiger Barb Breeding FAQ... I don't know anything except Angels.

Topic: Moving eggs
Author: Pattie
Email: pattie_ervin@hotmail.com
Date: 20 Feb 2000

Comments

I have purchased a slate and want to know how to move the eggs from the tube to the slate. I have tried with the smooth end of a butter knife, but the eggs did not stick to the slate. Please help!!!!

You can't move the eggs at all, you can try REmoving them. Eggs that rest on the bottom of the tank usually don't survive, but fall prey to bacteria and other bugs. The parents often move the eggs to and fro, but they have sticky spit to glue them back up.

Keep a slate in the tank, and nothing else. Most angels will eventually learn to like it. You might try putting plastic plants around your filter tubes to discourage them from using it. I have some Angels that insist on using the glass tank walls. Some of these parents can raise their own... I don't know how to move eggs and have them survive, unless your can remove the plant leaf / slate / filter tube, whatever... 

Topic: Spawning
Author: Debbie
Email: debbie@iafrica.com
Date: 28 Feb 2000

Comments

Please help me: I had a successful batch and it hatched but on the 9th day, from the day the eggs were laid, they were all dead. What could be wrong. It was really a lot. When must I start feeding?

See My Angelfish FRY are dying. What can I do?

Topic: breeding
Author: EuGene
Email: tokaz@earthlink.com
Date: 01 Mar 2000

Comments

I've had angelfish for a long time. I'd like to start breeding them. I have one tank that is 100 gallons right now and I'm getting a 20 gallon one. Can you give me some tips on how i can make them breed in their natural environment in my 100 gallon tank and what i should do and other stuff like that. How do i tell if the angelfish is male or female and how old and big does it have to be to breed? How do i find a breeding pair?

These questions are pretty much all answered here in the ABFAQ... see Index to FAQ pages... see: Can I raise baby Angels in a community tank?, Can the pair raise their own young?,  What's the ideal setup for a breeding pair?, What's the ideal setup for fry?, and Where can I get more information?

Topic: angels spawn but can't get any survivors
Author: daren
Email: dnixdorf@sk.sympatico.ca
Date: 03 Mar 2000

Comments

I have spawned a number of pairs of angels, and have raised 1000's, but I'm having a problem with a pair of Gold angels. They spawn about every three weeks. Typically 200-300 eggs.

That's all??? Typical spawns are 800-1200. See my page on counting eggs at How can I count the eggs?

They have spawned about 10 times to date. From the first spawn, they have watched the eggs, kept them clean, let them hatch to wigglers, move them around, etc. Unfortunately, they never go to free swimming. I have removed half of the eggs a couple of times (I always leave some eggs for the parents to watch), and tried to artificially hatch them out. Same problem, the hatch, last about 6 - 7 days, but never get to a free swimming state. I have even put the eggs in with another spawn, and those eggs survived and went to free swimming. Any thoughts ?

See my new page My Angelfish FRY are dying. What can I do?. I try to put everything in there. Also try the new Angelfish Forum discussion list.

 

Topic: first time with angels
Author: Minh Hoang
Email: minh_t_h@hotmail.com
Date: 26 May 2000

Comments

Hi, i have four angels in my aquarium and my fishs are 5 months. They are not same type of angels. Can they be parents??? Can you tell me how to do for knowing male or female angels??? Then last few days, one of them laid and i was so happy but i did not see the male to fertilize eggs. But i saw an other one who turns around of the plant where there are eggs. And other two angels hide in other side of aquarium. Then i removed them to other aquarium. So i have one who laids and other turns around the plant in the initial aquarium. I packed that aquarium to not disturd them. The eggs are totally white. When i woke up tomorrow, eggs disappeared. Please tell me what i must do for next time. What is the size ideal of aquarium for rising 4 angels and 4 discus plus 10 neons???

Topic: What sex?
Author: Andy
Email: jbheldenbrand@yahoo.comRob
Date: 01 Jun 2000

Comments

I have a question, how do you tell what sex the Angelfish are?And also, how do tou tell if they are breeding?

Topic: angel fish eggs
Author: Ganz
Email: ganzk_98@yahoo.com
Date: 06 Jun 2000

Comments

One of my angels laid eggs and began protecting them as she laid them, from other fish sharing tank space (gold fish, swords), and then began eating them as well. I covered the egg area with a plastic maternity box upside down so no fish could eat the eggs. Is this correct or shall I leave the eggs unprotected to all fish, and also to expose eggs to male angelfish for fertilization ? Breeding angels has always been my "dream," since its among the few species I never had the luck to have M&F angelfish.

Topic: Thank you!
Author: Mark Darken
Email: MarkDarken@aol.com
Date: 10 Jun 2000

Comments

I am a Science Teacher who has been raising tropical fish for 31 years, just to enjoy their beauty and relax as I watch them after the occasional day of teaching.

I have worked at three pet stores while working during high school, college and as a substitute teacher.

I have very prolific swordtails at the moment and have been trading my young swords in for other fish and credit at the local stores.

Earlier this year I traded my swords for three dime-sized angels (one golden, two marble. To my surprize I noticed a gravid female (the gold) with two marble males fighting over her.

This is actually my first mated pair. My questions are as follows: 1. Do angels mate for life or will the female spawn with any available male? 2. Is there a way that I can get a mature female somewhere for my other male? 3. I noticed that my gold did spawn with another color variation, is this normal or do they normally tend to spawn with a fish of the same color? 4. My other male (a dark marble) has gorgeous bluish markings on his gills and an irridenscent green speckling on his sides at the moment. Is this spawning colors to attract the females attention and will it fade when he isn't trying to attract a female?

Thanks for the great website!

Mark Darken

 

Topic:
Author: Dan
Email: YoMama316@webtv.net
Date: 22 Jun 2000

Comments

I have two angels in a community tank and they are both flashing fins and locking lips but only one of them show papilla. They've been doin this for about two weeks now and they haven't chose a spot to lay eggs or anything..what should i do???

Topic: ANGEL FISH
Author: RAYCHEL
Email: raychel1234@freewwweb.com
Date: 30 Jun 2000

Comments

HI, I HAVE TWO ANGEL FISH IN A 150 GALLON TANK AND I WAS WONDERING HOW TO TELL IF THEY ARE A MALE OR A FEMALE ONE IS SILVER AND THE OTHER ONE IS ORANGE SILVER AND BLACK WITH TIGER STRIPES ON ITS FINS ALSO BOTH OF THEM HAVE BELLIES THAT STICK OUT LIKE THEY ARE PREGNANT BUT I KNOW THATS NOT POSSIBLE ARE THEY JUST FAT? THANK YOU FOR TAKING YOUR TIME TO READ AND RESPOND TO NOT JUST MY QUESTIONS BUT EVERYBODY ELSES ALSO I THINK IT IS GREAT!

Topic: new breader
Author: justin
Email: jstintym@flash.net
Date: 29 Jul 2000

Comments

im getting angel fish and plan on breading how do i tell the deffrience betwen m/f and do i put them in a nother tank during ????? tyme

Topic: new breader
Author: justin
Email: jstintym@flash.net
Date: 29 Jul 2000

Comments

im getting angel fish and plan on breading how do i tell the deffrience betwen m/f and do i put them in a nother tank during ????? tyme

Topic: M or FM?
Author: Jay
Email: Ozzieandwinks@yahoo.ca
Date: 07 Aug 2000

Comments

How do I tell If my Fish is a male or a female?

Topic: care
Author: D.A
Email:
Date: 26 Mar 2001

Comments

if you have a good caring pair leave them with the eggs but provide male show guppies[slow moving] to prevent boredom and eating of eggs & fry

Topic: first eggs
Author: mike
Email: enigma33@home.com
Date: 27 Mar 2001

Comments

my angels have laid their eggs on a broadleafed plant this is our first experience with these fish spawning, should i leave the eggs in the tank and take the parents out or take the leaf out or leave them alone. thanks, mike

Topic: Why do the parents eat young
Author: greg
Email: greg_schiller@mail.northgrum.com
Date: 27 Mar 2001

Comments

We have had angels that lay eggs, and seemingly hundreds of young are devoured within days. Why do they do this, and how can we protect future spawns?

Topic: How long till my eggs hatch??
Author: Jared
Email: Jtmpro17@aol.com
Date: 03 Apr 2001

Comments

My angel fish have laid their second spawn of eggs and this time they are taking very good care of them by cleaning and fanning them. But was unable to find out how long it takes for them to hatch.

Topic: Angels stopped spawning
Author: Andy Sage
Email: andysage@onmail.co.uk
Date: 07 Apr 2001

Comments

The pair of angels I have, has already spawned 3 times, but now they havn't spawned for a few months, any idea's why? They are quite young and the water has been changed

help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Topic: mated pairs?
Author: Joel
Email: jbergquist@ameritech.net
Date: 11 Apr 2001

Comments

I have 4 angelfish, and do not know which are male and which are female, one is stiped, one is a solid silver, and 2 are marbled. I just noticed that there are eggs on one of the filter tubes and do not know when the were laid. a handful are white, and the rest are translucent. I can only assume they are from one of the marbled and the striped since they are always near the tube fanning the eggs... I have no Idea what to do with em, since I've never had angelfish to successfully breed...

Topic: angels laid eggs
Author: Raoul
Email: mangal.r@planet.nl
Date: 15 Apr 2001

Comments

I have a 400 liters Tank with one black angel pair temp. is 26"celius ph is about 6.5 but all the time the eggs become white in the 24 hours please can you help
Everything you need to know to raise baby Angelfish!
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