Pairing Centropyge (1 Viewer)

[rlpardue]

Has anyone had success introducing 2-3 dwarf angels into a tank to form a pair/harem? I'm having a hard time finding good articles or RC posts on the topic. I have two small Potter's angels in my 240 right now, but the smaller one (only slightly smaller) has been in an acclimation box since it was nearly killed. I picked the two angels out of the same tank at an LFS, but it had a central overflow and I guess they could be "out of sight" for awhile at a time.At this point, the smaller one is doing a great job eating several times per day and appears to be getting with the program. The larger one seems fine too.Would the best move be to bring home a medium-large Potter's angel and turn him loose in the tank in order to establish a clear pecking order (both the small ones might then become docile)?

 

[reeftopia]

The biggest could also kill the 2 smaller. But Im guessing both the other are male. I would try putting it with one and see how they
play. if trouble try the other. Ive done flame angels several times including this month, it get can real cool if you have a pr.

 

[Bigfishy]

I would keep in the acclamation box for a couple of weeks then release and see how they do. This will give them time to get used to each other


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[reeftopia]

If they are the same sex nothing will help.

 

[C3ntury]

Usually you try to pair using size factors, but ultimately they are going to set their dominances/tolerances so there is no real point in delaying unless injured. IME most acclimation boxes don't do anything but keep the inevitable from happening. I would have a spare tank available in case things don't go as planned and you have to capture/med.

 

[RR-MAN]

Usually you try to pair using size factors, but ultimately they are going to set their dominances/tolerances so there is no real point in delaying unless injured. IME most acclimation boxes don't do anything but keep the inevitable from happening. I would have a spare tank available in case things don't go as planned and you have to capture/med.

Very good points. I have kept some fish in the acclamation box for days and still bullying did stop.

 

[thefishgallery]

Lee,

At the size of those angels you got, I would not be surprised if as they grow, they pair up. According to Kiyoshi Endoh in Angelfishes of the World, male Potter's angel should have more reddish area on their head. Not sure how much that info will help, but they sure are cute at that size!

Kevin

 

[rlpardue]

Some interesting developments...

The medium-small and angels (we'll call them "Alpha" and "Beta") continued to not get along. Whenever I'd let out Beta, Alpha would thrash him. So, last night I trapped Alpha and put him in the acclimation box, let Beta out into the tank. Beta spent the evening and early today swimming around and getting comfortable while Alpha was stuck in the box. This morning I went out and found two even SMALLER Potter's angels, extra-small and XX-small ("Gamma" & "Delta") and, feeling a little crazy, brought them home too. I let Alpha out of the acclimation box, added Gamma and Delta, and they were all four swimming around in my 5x3x2 240g.

Beta was much more confident after spending the night in the tank by himself. He was even nipping at Alpha a bit, who tolerated it for awhile before he re-asserted dominance. Beta has been mildly harassing Gamma & Delta a bit, but whenever Alpha swims by, Beta gets a little more submissive. Alpha leaves the two tiny ones alone. I think I may have the beginnings of a balanced pecking order!

Will update tomorrow hopefully