Bellus angelfish transitioning to male

[tundraguy1106]

So I’ve had these two female Bellus Angelfish for a year and a half. One was purchased on LA DD and the larger one was purchased at my LFS. A few days ago I started noticing both were producing the long streamers on their tails and then today the larger ones body started getting darker which I assume is it transitioning to male.

I’ve been so caught up with my corals and adjusting my alkalinity that sometimes I forget about the beautiful fish I keep in my tank and the amazing things they do. I dunno maybe some of you don’t feel this way but I thought this was a pretty cool. I added some pictures.

 

[SaltyT]

Very cool! I don’t think it’s too common for genicanthus angels to transition to male in aquaria congratulations!

 

[tundraguy1106]

Very cool! I don’t think it’s too common for genicanthus angels to transition to male in aquaria congratulations!

Thanks! I’ll post more pictures during the change. Yeah, I was told that it doesn’t occur often when I opted to try it out. I also knew they were not very aggressive and reef safe, so why not.

 

[tundraguy1106]

Starting to show some orange.

 

[SaltyT]

He’s looking good! Nice wrasses, too!

 

[tundraguy1106]

He’s looking good! Nice wrasses, too!

Thanks! My orangeback runs the show but my leopards are my favorites!

 

[SaltyT]

I’ve got a thing for Leopards, too. Currently my only leopard is a Negrosensis that’s been with me for over a year. I tried to add a Meleagris a month ago but she didn‘t tolerate it. Would love to try a choati but I’m leery to pull the trigger in case she hates that one too.

 

[tundraguy1106]

I’ve got a thing for Leopards, too. Currently my only leopard is a Negrosensis that’s been with me for over a year. I tried to add a Meleagris a month ago but she didn‘t tolerate it. Would love to try a choati but I’m leery to pull the trigger in case she hates that one too.

Did you try the acclimation box? I have one and leave the new addition in there for a few days. If I see no aggression then I’ll add them. None of my other wrasses even cared about the leopards being added.

 

[SaltyT]

Did you try the acclimation box? I have one and leave the new addition in there for a few days. If I see no aggression then I’ll add them. None of my other wrasses even cared about the leopards being added.

Sure did. She paid zero attention until the Meleagris was out hunting pods then she chased it every time she saw it. Total bummer bc I’ve kept them together before. I just have a diva black leopard I guess Lol

 

[tundraguy1106]

Yeah. Fish can be strange. My kole tang turned on my only lyretail one day. They’ve been in my tank since the beginning. The lyretail ended up dying. Sucks. I have an algae blenny and a couple diamond gobies in Quarantine now. Fingers crossed when I add them.

 

[SaltyT]

Totally agree. My diamond tail flasher wrasse turned on my flame wrasse out of the blue and killed it. I added a new flame wrasse about 3 months ago and so far so good! Good luck with your new additions, I’m sure they’ll be fine!

 

[Zionas]

Nice! How big’s your tank and were both females purchased at around the same size? Any aggression between the two? I want to do it with G. Melanospilos once I have my tank set up.

Do you find them easy to keep? Any struggles with disease or feeding?

 

[tundraguy1106]

Nice! How big’s your tank and were both females purchased at around the same size? Any aggression between the two? I want to do it with G. Melanospilos once I have my tank set up.

Do you find them easy to keep? Any struggles with disease or feeding?

120 gallon tank with a 36 gallon sump. Both were females. 1 was slightly larger than the other. I quarantine all of my fish. Both were easy. I always use clams on a half shell to get picky angels eating.

 

[Zionas]

Nice. Do you think it would work if both were the same size? How many inches were yours?

Were they picky at all and what are their tankmates? Thanks.

 

[tundraguy1106]

Nice. Do you think it would work if both were the same size? How many inches were yours?

Were they picky at all and what are their tankmates? Thanks.

I don’t see why not. One will most likely grow larger just like with clown fish. Mine were t pick my and are currently in my tank with a regal Angel, kole tang, chocolate tang, Midas blenny, pair of clownfish and a bunch of wrasses.

 

[Zionas]

Nice!

 

[NL.Reefer]

Hey how is youre bellus looking? i also have 2 female Genicanthus Bellus in my 150G and they are in my tank for 9 weeks now.

like 6 weeks ago i noticides that finally the more dominant one was chancing to a male! Here some photos of them. The photo was made 4 weeks ago

this photo was taken 1 week ago. Idk if im true but looks like the female that changes into the male, changes back into the female? You can clearly see the lines/colors better then on the first pictures

 

[Griev]

Very cool!

One of my Watanabes is transitioning to male, while the smaller male appears to be either transitioning back to female or sub-male? I've got 2x male 1x female Watanabe and 3x female Spotbreast in a 200 all together. They're not super aggressive with each other, but they do keep a pecking order, similar to anthias.

 

[NL.Reefer]

Very cool!

One of my Watanabes is transitioning to male, while the smaller male appears to be either transitioning back to female or sub-male? I've got 2x male 1x female Watanabe and 3x female Spotbreast in a 200 all together. They're not super aggressive with each other, but they do keep a pecking order, similar to anthias.

Haha the waterworld is so fascinating!

 

[Tcook]

This will be interesting to follow. I have two Geni's in my 130. Has been a year and no changes yet.