Japanese Swallowtails

[Breakthecycle2]

hese fish are considered reef safe, right?

 

[ReefBum]

Yep. I have had some in a SPS dominated reef tank and they were always model citizens. Beautiful fish....just wish they didn't cost so much coin.

 

[WetWhistle]

One of the few truly safe angelfish and should not nip at stony or soft corals.

 

[DeniseAndy]

Mine has been wonderful. I wish I had a pair, but she has now been alone for so many years, I am not sure adding a male would be good.

 

[WetWhistle]

The Zebra Lyretail Angelfish are ok as well. You need to feed for both kinds a mixed diet as they are omnivores and platonic feeders and require some algae and meaty foods. Look at some of the angle food preparations you can by as well.

 

[WetWhistle]

Mine has been wonderful. I wish I had a pair, but she has now been alone for so many years, I am not sure adding a male would be good.

I think you would be ok to add a male. Just make sure they have a good size difference. Mind you it depends on how aggressive she is now. Most are docile.

 

[DeniseAndy]

She is very docile. I may keep thinking about that one. Thanks for the encouragement.

 

[Fenzinna]

I think you would be ok to add a male. Just make sure they have a good size difference. Mind you it depends on how aggressive she is now. Most are docile.

You're better off adding another female as they're cheaper and males can become female and vice versa. Better off letting them sort it out.

 

[tj w]

Makes usually won't change back into females in most cases. Just a heads up.

 

[DeniseAndy]

I thought they only changed coloration, not actual sex. Thanks for the confirmation.

 

[Fenzinna]

Makes usually won't change back into females in most cases. Just a heads up.

This is untrue. A male in the tank by himself will become female. If the female in the tank is more aggressive than an introduced male than they can both change. Probable, maybe not. Possible, absolutely.

The point I was making is that it's not worth spending the extra money if there's the chance it'll switch anyways. Now, it's not like with anthias where the male can't physically change back and gets killed off.

Also, all my reading on swallowtails also has supported that male and female relationships with this group isn't like that of others. There aren't bonds created or behavior changes aside from pecking order.

 

[DeniseAndy]

I know nothing on angels, so I guess I will research too. I figured they were like wrasse and anthias and can change color, not sex.

 

[eatbreakfast]

Genicanthus do change gender. It is based on social dominance. Many angels form bonded prs, but Genicanthus are haremic planktivores, similar to anthias.

Adding two females usually results in one transitioning into a male.

A male kept by itself may remain male, but may also revert to a female.

A female kept by itself usually remains a female, but in some instances may transition into a male.

 

[WetWhistle]

You're better off adding another female as they're cheaper and males can become female and vice versa. Better off letting them sort it out.

That works as well.