Difference between revisions of "Breed Angelfish"
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# Set up a freshwater aquarium large enough to prepare breeding angelfish. Try to choose a tank that is at least {{convert|20|USgal|L|sigfig=3}} (75.7 l) and ideally 29+ gallons large. Your angelfish pair will do best with plenty of space. In cramped quarters, angelfish won't feel secure and will fail to breed. | # Set up a freshwater aquarium large enough to prepare breeding angelfish. Try to choose a tank that is at least {{convert|20|USgal|L|sigfig=3}} (75.7 l) and ideally 29+ gallons large. Your angelfish pair will do best with plenty of space. In cramped quarters, angelfish won't feel secure and will fail to breed. | ||
#*Try also to place the angelfish in a tank that is tall. Mature angelfish can grow up to a foot long from their dorsal to their anal fin, meaning you'll want to accommodate their unusual length. | #*Try also to place the angelfish in a tank that is tall. Mature angelfish can grow up to a foot long from their dorsal to their anal fin, meaning you'll want to accommodate their unusual length. | ||
| − | # [[Test Ph in a Fish Tank|Test the pH of your water]]. In their natural habitat, freshwater angels live in soft water that's slightly acidic. For best results, make sure that their aquarium water has a pH of between 4.7 and 8.7, with the ideal range being 6.5 and 6.9.<ref>http://www.angelsplus.com/ArticleBreeding.htm</ref> Angelfish are relatively hardy when it comes to pH and tolerate a wide range of water conditions, but you want to try to shoot for this happy medium in order to produce a contented breeding pair. | + | # [[Test Ph in a Fish Tank|Test the pH of your water]]. In their natural habitat, freshwater angels live in soft water that's slightly acidic. For best results, make sure that their aquarium water has a pH of between 4.7 and 8.7, with the ideal range being 6.5 and 6.9.<ref name="rf1">http://www.angelsplus.com/ArticleBreeding.htm</ref> Angelfish are relatively hardy when it comes to pH and tolerate a wide range of water conditions, but you want to try to shoot for this happy medium in order to produce a contented breeding pair. |
#*If your water isn't in the ideal pH range, a de-ionization filter or reverse osmosis (R.O.) filter can do the trick. These are usually attached to your main water supply, and can run from fairly cheap to incredibly expensive. They are, however, effective. | #*If your water isn't in the ideal pH range, a de-ionization filter or reverse osmosis (R.O.) filter can do the trick. These are usually attached to your main water supply, and can run from fairly cheap to incredibly expensive. They are, however, effective. | ||
#*Try not to use chemicals to alter pH if at all possible. Chemical pH solutions alter the alkalinity or acidity of the water much too drastically, something your angels are sensitive to. Angels may fail to breed or, worse, die off if the pH swings too drastically from one extremely to another. | #*Try not to use chemicals to alter pH if at all possible. Chemical pH solutions alter the alkalinity or acidity of the water much too drastically, something your angels are sensitive to. Angels may fail to breed or, worse, die off if the pH swings too drastically from one extremely to another. | ||
| − | # Set the water temperature. Again, because angelfish are very accommodating fish, they tolerate a pretty wide range of temperatures. But they do thrive when the water temperature is right in their wheelhouse, between 72° and 82° F (22° and 27° C), with 80° F being a good target.<ref>http://www.aquariumguys.com/angel-fish-care-article.html</ref> | + | # Set the water temperature. Again, because angelfish are very accommodating fish, they tolerate a pretty wide range of temperatures. But they do thrive when the water temperature is right in their wheelhouse, between 72° and 82° F (22° and 27° C), with 80° F being a good target.<ref name="rf2">http://www.aquariumguys.com/angel-fish-care-article.html</ref> |
#*Keep in mind the tradeoffs of different water temperatures. Warmer water is arguably better for angels' immune systems, whereas colder water increases their lifespan. | #*Keep in mind the tradeoffs of different water temperatures. Warmer water is arguably better for angels' immune systems, whereas colder water increases their lifespan. | ||
| − | # Put a good filter in your aquarium. Angelfish are ideally suited to strong currents, so be careful about using a high flow filter, which could tire them out unnecessarily.<ref | + | # Put a good filter in your aquarium. Angelfish are ideally suited to strong currents, so be careful about using a high flow filter, which could tire them out unnecessarily.<ref name="rf2" /> Better to use a sponge filter, gravel filter, or both — that way, your angels will have energy for love and their small fry won't be sucked up into the filter when they hatch. |
#*Do at least 20% water change each week either as part of regular cleaning activity. | #*Do at least 20% water change each week either as part of regular cleaning activity. | ||
#Feed your angelfish properly. Angels typically aren't very picky eaters, but they do enjoy their fresh foods and generally have very robust appetites. Shoot to feed your angels at least two or three times a day, being careful not to overfeed them. | #Feed your angelfish properly. Angels typically aren't very picky eaters, but they do enjoy their fresh foods and generally have very robust appetites. Shoot to feed your angels at least two or three times a day, being careful not to overfeed them. | ||
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=== Setting in Motion Breeding=== | === Setting in Motion Breeding=== | ||
| − | #Sex your angels to isolate a breeding pair. Sexing young angelfish (body size is smaller than a quarter) is next to impossible, so don't even bother. With more mature angelfish, sex can be distinguished by looking at the tubes of the vent. With males, the tube is smaller, pointy, almost triangular. Female tubes are larger and square, like an eraser on a pencil.<ref>http://www.fishlore.com/fishforum/angelfish/128849-big-mystery-how-sex-angelfish.html</ref> | + | #Sex your angels to isolate a breeding pair. Sexing young angelfish (body size is smaller than a quarter) is next to impossible, so don't even bother. With more mature angelfish, sex can be distinguished by looking at the tubes of the vent. With males, the tube is smaller, pointy, almost triangular. Female tubes are larger and square, like an eraser on a pencil.<ref name="rf3">http://www.fishlore.com/fishforum/angelfish/128849-big-mystery-how-sex-angelfish.html</ref> |
#Use other common characteristics to sex your angelfish. Looking at the tubes of the fish is the single most reliable way of sexing. But taken together, other characteristics can help you determine the sex of an angel. Just remember not to cue in on any ''single'' characteristic when sexing — look at the whole picture. | #Use other common characteristics to sex your angelfish. Looking at the tubes of the fish is the single most reliable way of sexing. But taken together, other characteristics can help you determine the sex of an angel. Just remember not to cue in on any ''single'' characteristic when sexing — look at the whole picture. | ||
#*Females tend to be more round while males tend to be more angular. | #*Females tend to be more round while males tend to be more angular. | ||
