Angelfish belongs to the family Cichlidae and genus Pterophyllum, which consists of three species – Pterophyllum altum, Pterophyllum leopoldi, and Pterophyllum scalare.While Pterophyllum scalare is the most commonly available angelfish, Pterophyllum leopoldi is very scarce.. Angelfish are characterized by laterally compressed bodies, which are roughly round in shape. It may take a while for them to breed, you may need to make certain adjustments and tweak tank conditions until you manage to get things just right for them to breed. If you got a good pair they will remove the white eggs, if not a turkey baster will do the job. Because it can be difficult to tell the difference between a female and male angelfish, you should factor in misidentified gender as a possible cause if your angelfish can’t be determined to breed no matter what you try. "Thanks for this very helpful information. In my opinion, they are perhaps the most beautiful of all the freshwater community cichlids. Just because you have a known female and male angelfish pair, it doesn’t mean they’ll breed right away. As the breeding pair raises their fry, continue feeding the breeding pair as before, taking note that they may not be as hungry. Because my angelfish are outstanding parents, I don’t have to worry about them not giving them proper care. On the off chance that you won’t be the lucky owner of a cooperative pair, I am confident that the information in this angelfish breeding guide will help you overcome most of the hurdles you may come across when attempting to breed this species. Do at least 50% water change each week either as part of regular cleaning activity. Rounded bodies that are slightly taller than longer (long bodied angelfish are considered inferior); Dorsal, anal or caudal fins should have no curves; Larger angelfish are usually more desirable, however, size should be age appropriate. In some cases, your angelfish pair may be fussy about everything and you may need to get everything just right for them to be willing to breed. Altum Angelfish can be breed in aquarium but this is not an easy task. As I mentioned, allowing angelfish to breed in a community tank carries the risk of them eating their eggs. It’s not uncommon for most – if not all – of the fry to fall prey to hungry fish in the tank. If I had paired them on my own, it would have wasted so much of my time. Areas of importance in angelfish breeding include: I’ll get to each point at length, so you’ll be prepared and know what to do should you have any difficulties. After a few weeks of feeding angelfish fry with small live foods, you can slowly transition to regular fry foods and then normal angelfish foods. It is typical that they will eat their eggs the first couple of spawns, but after that, they will usually raise them by themselves. Angelfish eating their own eggs and fry because of stressful tank conditions; Other fish raiding the eggs or eating the fry because they mistake them for food; Angelfish becoming too territorial and aggressive. In an artificial hatching scenario, you must ensure proper aeration yourself. Although gravel is not recommended in the breeding set-up, potted plants and/or cured driftwood is fine. I recommend this breeding tank from Amazon, 10 Most Aggressive Freshwater Aquarium Fish, Rabbit Snail – Care, Feeding, Tank Mates & Breeding (Video). Is it necessary to keep an angelfish with its eggs, or should I separate them? You do not need to; however, if you'd like to raise them without the parents, you may. These larvae can be observed under a microscope as can their heartbeat and blood flow. Once you have a breeding tank set up, the second thing you must pay attention to is ensuring water conditions suitable for breeding. Also, diversifying your offerings allows you to continue making some revenue each month even if there isn’t a demand for one of your species. The temperature in the breeding tank should be between 72° and 82° F. Avoid extremes and try to maintain a stable temperature. Feed your angelfish twice a day with an amount they can eat in under a minute and remove any uneaten food to avoid fouling of the water. Although it may happen that an angelfish pair will breed in a community tank, it’s more advisable to set up a separate breeding tank (I recommend this breeding tank from Amazon). Besides clean water that has been treated with antifungal substances, aeration is another important aspect of artificially hatching angelfish. Once they pair up they protect their mate from any other fish which moves too close by charging at them. Things you can try: Make sure to also place a spawning slate into the tank, otherwise angelfish will choose something else to lay their eggs on, something that may be inconvenient for you. Gravel is not recommended in a breeding tank; a bare bottom tank is standard in a breeding tank. They are not that much affected by pH, & are able to live in a broad range of pH from 6 to 8. How to Breed Freshwater Angelfish (with Pictures) - wikiHow Female angelfish are capable of laying a limited number of eggs in their lifetimes. Aim for at least 7 gallons per angelfish. They’re large, beautiful new-world cichlids, and they come in many different varieties and colors. This too is something determined by genetics and care. I recommend using a sponge filter such as this one from Amazon. Even with good feeding and optimal water conditions, some couples will still refuse to breed. Remember to always ask a veterinarian for help regarding your pets. In the spawning tank, provide a surface for the angels to deposit their eggs on. With triangular bodies, bold stripes and long fins, this elegant, easy-to-keep tropical fish will beautify any freshwater tank. They can survive in a fairly wide range of temperatures, as low as 75F (24C), but do best at 80 to 85F (27 – 29C), and are most likely to breed when kept in that range. After reading the, "Had these angels for 4 years, and it took a move from a 55 gal tank to a 95 gal tank to get them to breed. As a protective measure, you should plant tall plants ahead of time (as soon as you see the eggs in the tank) to provide plenty of hiding spaces to your fry. Artificially hatching the eggs is one way to get angelfish juveniles, another way is letting the angelfish parents hatch the eggs themselves. Underfed angelfish are much less likely to breed. Avoid keeping angelfish in an overcrowded tank as this will inhibit breeding. They tend to be eaten up by adult angelfish. However, if eggs remain unfertilized or parents don’t do their job of tending to the eggs, the eggs will develop an opaque white fungus and lose their viability. Keep the tank and the water clean and ensure optimal breeding temperature, so that your fish can feel more at ease. an angelfish couple spawned in a community tank – you may be unwilling to or unprepared to raise angelfish fry yourself. Angelfish prefer near vertical structures as a spawning site, so place a spawning slate into the aquarium or add plants with large vertical leaves like that of the Amazon sword. If you have the time, I really recommend preparing paste foods, which will help your angelfish grow strong and healthy. I now I have 2 pair that are breeding, and now I know how to do a better job. Once you get it right, stick to the same set-up that managed to get your angelfish to breed. Bringing you guys another video! The male angelfish not fertilizing the eggs is a common problem with young angelfish that are at their first spawning. The success of the breeding process will depend on the environment you create in the tank. Don’t worry though, in a couple of weeks the breeding cycle will start anew and will once again see eggs in the tank. You CAN keep a pair together if you’re interested in breeding your angelfish. Without question, the best plants to provide for angelfish are Amazon sword plant s. Not only is this a hardy and attractive beginner plant, but it also plays an integral role in the breeding of angelfish. These are usually attached to your main water supply, and can run from fairly cheap to incredibly expensive. This was very, "I am 68 and doing fish. Approved. These filters are also great because angelfish fry won’t get trapped into it, they’re easy to move around when siphoning the tank, plus they’re cleanable. You may want to remove the eggs to hatch them artificially, or, if they’re in a community tank, to protect them from other fish. The key is to offer them something they would prefer over other surfaces in the tank. Angelfish babies thrive on live cultured foods that will provide them the nutritional boost to develop and grow into healthy adults. It may take as many as four spans until angels start behaving like the devoted and caring parents they’re known for. For tips on how to set the pH level in your tank or when to pair the angels with different mates, read on! eggs, and I almost went into shock. You have to separate the fry into a smaller tank and feed them baby food till they get of right size. A tank that is too large will make them feel frightened and they may even have trouble getting to enough food to keep them well fed. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Reaching breeding maturity depends on the strain of angelfish you have, the care you’ve provided them, and the space they have in the aquarium. Low temperatures in the tank will cut their appetite, but several angelfish diseases will also result in a loss of appetite. If you have a fish swelling up and floating (not dead, but seems to not be able to get down), it may have swim bladder disease. Your email address will not be published. You will find all sorts of tips and tricks on the internet about determining the gender of angelfish, but the most reliable method is examining their breeding tubes. Water that’s hard and … Things You Need There are a couple of things you may want to consider getting for your Angelfish pair. Some other plants that also make good choices … Angelfish that become too stressed out because of various stress factors (other fish in the tank, poor water conditions, noise or movement around the tank) will eat their own eggs. Like all omnivorous fish species, angelfish thrive on a varied diet that includes meaty foods and plan matter as well. If tank conditions are optimal, angelfish eggs will hatch in two or three days after spawning. Angels have also been known to lay their eggs directly on the water filter, for example. Choose the highest quality flake foods you can find and supplement their diet with freeze-dried foods (bloodworms, brine shrimp, tubifex, etc.) Unfortunately, not everyone is as lucky, and some angelfish pairs aren’t good parents from the get-go. Because freeze-dried foods expand in the belly of your angelfish, soak them in aquarium water before feeding to prevent constipation and indigestion issues. Keeping and breeding angelfish are not very difficult. After hatching, angelfish remain attached to the spawning site for a couple of days. By using our site, you agree to our. Do not do sudden temperature changes to your angelfish tank's water. If you are selling them to a person, a 4-5 centimeter body is the best size. Try not to use chemicals to alter pH if at all possible. The temperatures and PH in the breeding tank … Angelfish may spawn on large leaves in the tank, the heater, or other decoration in the tank. This is one reliable method of sexing angelfish, the other method is letting angelfish pick their own mate, which can happen if you raise angelfish juveniles yourself. A community tank is not an ideal setting for angelfish to breed, especially because eggs and fry are in danger of being eaten by other fish in the tank. Angelfish shouldn't swell up. To create this article, 31 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. Because there is no male to fertilize the eggs, these aren’t viable and will often develop a white fungus on them. In cramped quarters, angelfish won't feel secure and will fail to breed. Before you start trying to breed angelfish, make sure you have male and female adult fish by looking at their tubes, which are pointier and triangular for males, and square and larger for females. So that would put the minimum time at about 5 months. At this point, they may still feed on their yolk sac and on infusoria that’s naturally available in the aquarium. Once you learn how to breed angelfish, you will be well on your way. Your koi angelfish will become more vibrant, with their gold spots potentially becoming more orange. A tank up to 10 gallons is perfect as a rearing tank as it provides them with a feeling of security and they won’t have trouble getting to their food. ", pair. Bare bottom tanks are preferred over tanks with a gravel substrate when it comes to breeding angelfish. In this comprehensive guide on how to breed angelfish, I will present you the particularities of breeding angelfish, preparing you ahead of time for the issues you may encounter. To breed angelfish, the best approach is to get several juveniles or an established breeding pair. Due to their tall bodies, angelfish prefer a tall tank that’s at least 20 gallons, but a bigger tank is usually even better. I just discovered a few minutes ago that two of my angels are busy laying, "Thank you for this study review on a breeding pair of angel fish. Thanks. Endlers might be the best option for beginners especially fancy varieties can give you most profit. When leaving the eggs with the parents, they will aerate the eggs by fanning their fins. The wild angelfish is silver with three black strips. Their unconventional … 80-82 degrees is best, they hatch quicker in warmer temperatures (but do not go over 82 degrees). The pair are very sensitive to dirt and debris when breeding and are not likely to breed in dirty water. Live foods like brine shrimp and micro worms are a desirable food option that can help growth and reproduction, however, live foods can be problematic, so be very careful where you buy them from. If you decide to buy a known male and female that you can breed, you may encounter difficulties in getting them to breed. In a normal breeding scenario, the female will lay the eggs, the male will fertilize them, then they will take turns fanning and cleaning the eggs. Most of the times you won’t have any issues with breeding angels, especially if you meet their water requirements and dietary needs. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. The species can be breed in a similar fashion to the regular angelfish and discus fish. All this means you’ll need to experiment and have patience with your fish until you can get that first spawn to happen. This is however quite expensive and forming your own pair is much cheaper. The Marble angelfish is somewhat similar to the previous, Zebra type. Angelfish eating their own eggs is usually a stress response or is caused by the inexperience of the angelfish pair. Ahhh yeaaaah! As the angelfish babies develop, you can slowly introduce them to crushed flake foods and make the full transition to regular foods at around 6 weeks of age. Angelfish pair for life. ", https://www.buildyouraquarium.com/complete-freshwater-angelfish-set-care-guide/, https://animals.mom.me/proper-ph-range-for-angelfish-12269625.html, https://www.firsttankguide.net/heater-setting.php, https://www.thatpetplace.com/articles/freshwater-angelfish-care, http://www.fishlore.com/fishforum/angelfish/128849-big-mystery-how-sex-angelfish.html, https://www.myaquariumclub.com/how-to-tell-if-an-angelfish-is-male-or-female-8029.html, https://www.fishlore.com/Articles/BreedingAngelfish.htm, http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/breeding/angelfish.php, https://www.micaf.gov.jm/sites/default/files/pdfs/Breeding_Angelfish.pdf, https://www.fishxperts.com/angelfish-tanks/, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Setting up a separate breeding tank is the preferred breeding technique since it ensures the safety of the eggs and juveniles, plus it makes angelfish feel more relaxed. Temperature should be around 80 F. Water should be treated with antifungal agents like Acriflavin or methylene blue, which will inhibit the growth of fungi on the eggs. It’s at this point that you should remove them from their original aquarium and place them into a separate breeding tank, where they can be more relaxed. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Microworms are another type of live food that the baby angelfish will be happy to eat. Misidentification of gender can be an explanation to why a certain angelfish pair won’t breed, even if all other breeding conditions are met. Pleco also likes to dwell in the bottom of the fish tank or the aquarium. Generally, a piece of slate about three inches wide and a foot long is placed in the aquarium, leaning against one of … I prefer the latter method because my angelfish are extremely good parents. It will also allow for easy removal to a hatching tank. If you're selling them to a pet store, ask them what size they prefer. Once the breeding tubes are lowered, you can observe that the breeding tube of the female angelfish is wide and blunt, while the breeding tube of the male angelfish is thin and pointy. Angelfish and German Blue Rams are easy to breed. Therefore, this too can be chalked up to inexperience. Low temperatures usually mean infrequent spawns and angelfish may lose their appetite, which can affect the breeding condition of angelfish. When buying from a breeder, there a few things to consider like buying show quality angelfish that represent the species well, selecting pairs that aren’t aggressive and don’t have any fecundity problems. How can I tell a live egg from a dead one? Try a larger aquarium if your tank is at or below the 20 gallon (75.7 L) mark. Eggs that have been fertilized by the male angelfish have a translucent amber color, the ones which haven’t been fertilized turn to an opaque white color. Breeding angelfish is a rewarding experience that can have its challenges, especially if you’re not familiar with the species or if you’re a beginner aquarist. While it is recommended to let the angelfish parents tend to the eggs themselves, this is not absolutely necessary. Will the other fish eat my angel's eggs? If they continue to be aggressive with each other, it’s best if you separate them for a week or so, then put them back together.