Genicanthus pairs

[Zionas]

Who here keeps a pair of Genicanthus Angels? I don’t see many keep the Lamarck as a pair but maybe Spotbreast, Bellus and Watanabei?

(1) Did you get them as a pair or did you pair them up either by introducing 2 females together (or separately) or by introducing a male to a female?

(2) What tank size does a pair need long-term / to be kept for life?

(3) Did they get full 6-7” size for either the male, or both male and female?

(4) Think they’re naturally loose harem forming? Did the male keep its patterns or did it revert? Did the female start changing?

(5) Is aggression between the male and female much of a concern?

(6) If starting with 2 small females how long until one changes, if one did make the change?

Would be best if you have experience over 5+ years, maybe even 10.

 

[chadhender]

Who here keeps a pair of Genicanthus Angels? I don’t see many keep the Lamarck as a pair but maybe Spotbreast, Bellus and Watanabei?

(1) Did you get them as a pair or did you pair them up either by introducing 2 females together (or separately) or by introducing a male to a female?

I bought my swallowtails as a pair from Dr Reef a couple months ago.

(2) What tank size does a pair need long-term / to be kept for life?

My current tank is 180 gallons and they seem to be doing fine.

(3) Did they get full 6-7” size for either the male, or both male and female?

Male is probably 6” and the streamers on his tail is getting longer everyday. Female is about half his size.

(4) Think they’re naturally loose harem forming? Did the male keep its patterns or did it revert? Did the female start changing?

Not sure on this one.

(5) Is aggression between the male and female much of a concern?

The male chases the female a bit in the evenings. Nothing crazy. I have no concerns.

(6) If starting with 2 small females how long until one changes, if one did make the change?

Can’t help on this one

Would be best if you have experience over 5+ years, maybe even 10.

I have been in the hobby on and off for over 29 years. Current tank is over a year old. They seem easy to keep to me. You can see the male near the sailfin tang.

 

[Zionas]

Thanks. You got a nice pair. I think 6” is pretty big for a male and the females are significantly smaller.

 

[Zionas]

Would adding 2 smaller females guarantee 1 changes to male?

 

[Louis Z]

They will have a pecking order . Seems that over time you will get a pair as long there is enough space for the less aggressive to escape to . I bought two females but something was wrong with them and I they didn’t survive . I will try again

 

[4roaming]

I currently have a medium size Lamarck just transitioning to male as well as a medium small female Watanabei in my 200gal reef tank. I’m looking for another watanabei and another Lamarck to pair them up. The larger Lamarck was added last and he chases the smaller watanabei a little but nothing serious.

I’ve previously kept a pair of watanabei and started with small females. I initially added one small female and grew her out for six months or so while looking for another. Once I found one there was a good size difference with the new one being smaller. Upon introduction to my reef there was no aggression until the larger female started transitioning to male and at that point it started chasing the smaller female a little. It never was anything I worried too much about though. I had the first female for about a year before it started to transition to male. I would recommend starting with females. It’s amazing to watch the transformation and it’ll save you some money. In my experience the most dominant will always eventually change to male.

 

[Zionas]

Awesome. Looks like females is the way to go. It also seems like you can mix species without issues and there’s going to be 1 male eventually.

Would a 4ft tank be enough for two, either a pair of the same species (add 1 female, grow it out, then add a smaller female down the line) or 2 different species?