Watanabei Angelfish Sex Change?

[SRQban]

Can a Watanabei Angelfish female turn into a male in an aquarium? I tried looking this up and really only found information about bellus angelfish.

 

[argiBK]

Yes, they can. However, I'm not sure if a single Watanabei would change sex without the presence of another female of the same species.

They can also change sex back to female, depending on how many species you keep in the tank. From what I understand, if you have two males of different species, the more submissive of the two will change back to female.

I'm currently in search of a Masked Swallotail (G. semifasciatus) to pair with the one I've got.

 

[SRQban]

Thank you! I have 2 females right now because LADD decided to send me another female instead of the male I ordered. Recently, the larger female seems to be much more aggressive and chasing the other smaller female. I’ve had the 2 of them for a little over a month now with no aggression issues prior to this.

Yes, they can. However, I'm not sure if a single Watanabei would change sex without the presence of another female of the same species.

They can also change sex back to female, depending on how many species you keep in the tank. From what I understand, if you have two males of different species, the more submissive of the two will change back to female.

I'm currently in search of a Masked Swallotail (G. semifasciatus) to pair with the one I've got.

 

[AcanthurusRex]

My bellus changed when I introduced a slightly smaller flame.

 

[argiBK]

Thank you! I have 2 females right now because LADD decided to send me another female instead of the male I ordered. Recently, the larger female seems to be much more aggressive and chasing the other smaller female. I’ve had the 2 of them for a little over a month now with no aggression issues prior to this.

Sounds like you're going to have a male Watanabei soon! Once the larger female starts with the aggression, they're usually on their way to changing sex.

 

[argiBK]

My bellus changed when I introduced a slightly smaller flame.

Interesting! My Masked is a little aggressive with my coral beauty (I've got 3 dwarfs in the tank with her, the CB is the top of the dwarf pecking order), but nothing as aggressive as I've heard in relation to changing sex.

 

[OrionN]

I never have problem with mine change sex. I had a pair for a longtime then my male jumped out. I got a top for my tank and got another female. 6 months later my older female, and larger, changed to male.

 

[saltyhog]

Agree with the above. I kept a single female for years and she never changed. With two females it's not a guarantee but much more likely.

 

[OrionN]

I have three Flameback in my 65 gal tank. The three were all females/juveniles when I put them in. Within 1 month the largest clearly change sex and is the male in this harem.
Watanabei angle is not a dwarf angel, and does not change anywhere near as easy but they will. Male singleton will loose the male coloration.

 

[Zionas]

However for the Watanabei and other Genicanthus does the male stay a male even though it loses the male colors? I have read elsewhere that the male can revert back to female colors but in terms of hormones stays a male.

 

[Snoopy 67]

Had a trio of females. As soon as the dominant fish in the tank was removed one turned male.

 

[Zionas]

Oh I see. What was the dominant fish and how big’s your tank? Any aggression between the females? We’re they added at the same time and of around the same size?

 

[Snoopy 67]

250 gallons, females @ different times similar sizes & not much bickering.
Purple tang was the boss.

 

[Zionas]

Ahhh ok I see. Bummer as I am keen on adding a Purple Tang lol.

 

[Siasl]

I just had a male / female pair in which they swapped. The female was larger and more dominant, and beat up the mail regularly, and after a few months of aggression —> the female started developing male pattern coloring and the male started to change to pure blue without stripes! really cool to watch.

 

[Zionas]

Nice!

 

[Barebottomreef]

Thanks for asking that question, years later still relevant. I have 3 watanabei Angelfish with the intention of one on them changing into a male.

 

[sjfishguy]

I am curious what size the female to male changes occurred ? So if I get two small females will it take a while or will one change pretty quickly ?

 

[Damage12]

I am curious what size the female to male changes occurred ? So if I get two small females will it take a while or will one change pretty quickly ?

It just depends. Usually one female begins to grow a little larger than the other one and eventually the larger one turns male. At least that’s what happened to mine. It could take a few months or a couple of years.

 

[sjfishguy]

Thanks. But I mean does it happen at 2” or 5” or 6”. Like if I buy two 2” fish could they change in a few months, or will they both need to get to like 5” (ie a long time) before they change. Trying to decide if I want to buy two small females or a larger m/f pair. We are talking double the price