A REPLY TO ANGELS AT CHRISTMAS
By Gerry Hawksby
How pleasing it was to read Malcolm Short's article "Angels at Christmas" which appeared on the Ryedale Aquarist web-site accompanied by some excellent photographs.Obviously from what Malcolm explained, the initial object of the exercise was to obtain, albeit at his wife's prompting , a second angel as a companion for what she felt may otherwise become a lonesome inmate, rather than a serious attempt to propagate the specie.

The fact that the two fish subsequently turned out to be a pair is truly remarkable, for I well remember an undergraduate from Loughborough University working out that in order to guarantee ending up with a pair of fish in species where sexing is difficult, it would necessitate obtaining no less than 8 specimens. Obviously, unless the aquarist is intent on breeding this large growing specie and as a result has the space to house such a number, then it would be unwise to embark on such an undertaking.

Immature angels in dealer's tanks do present themselves as an inviting proposition, so I can appreciate why they assume the " irresistible purchase" tag. Sadly what most inexperienced aquarists fail to consider as they restock their tank is that angels are a large growing specie and within a few months may well have reached a length of 15cms(6"), by which time the 8 specimens, especially if housed with other inmates, will have outgrown even a 4 foot tank and incidently, could well be responsible for the disappearance of some of the smaller growing cousins in their environment.

Of the most popular aquarium favourites, angels are certainly one of the most difficult to sex, if not the most difficult. Over the years there has been four 'foolproof' methods of sexing near mature angels and maybe a dozen or so " tried and tested " methods which I will describe briefly. Perhaps the oldest method being the practice known as ??candling'. This involves transferring the fish to a smaller container and then, in a darkened room, placing the fish infront of a small but strong light so that the internal organs could be seen (a sort of do it yourself x ray). From the positioning and shape of the organs, the author claimed the sex could be determined.

The second method was much simpler in that it merely involved visual appearance, head on, of the lower body shape immediately infront of the anal fin when the male would appear V shaped whilst the female would be U shaped.

The third method claimed that immature specimens could be assessed by the angle at which the first ray of the anal fin left the body. If this angle is at 90 degrees to the body then the fish is a female, whereas if the ray slopes backwards towards the caudal peduncle then it is a male.

The fourth and last method is the least reliable of them all, although logically it may seem the most natural in that from your specimens they are allowed to form pairs themselves, which you will find they will readily do. Over the years I have had many instances where I have found two angels cleaning their proposed spawning site only to find subsequently that the spawning ritual was being carried out by two females.

Now to some of the other methods mentioned above. (i) There is a noticeable difference between the sexes in the first short rays of the dorsal fin. (ii) The distance between the ventral and anal fins differs between males and females. (iii)The angle of this portion of the body is an indication to the sex and finally (iv) Excreta leaves the male in a forward direction whereas in females it emerges in a backward direction. These then are some of the desperate ways our forebears used in their struggle to sex one of the most popular specie of tropical. I wouldn't give any credence to any of the latter examples personally, however the one thing I would derive from no (iv) and this applies to all species not just angels, if excreta is visible to this extent then the fish is suffering from constipation and a change of diet should be administered.

Having had over 40 years experience in the breeding of these aquarium favourites of mine I can assure readers that not one of the four "foolproof" methods is infallible in the accurate sexing of angels. Whilst I will readily concede some limited success may be experienced when using any one of the first three methods, don't be lulled into believing that your chosen method worked for you - it probably did, but this was nothing more than luck. The only way to guarantee the true sexes of your angels is to observe them when the ovipositor is extended during spawning. Females will be seen to possess a straight sided tube roughly 3mm in length down which the eggs pass whereas males have a cone shaped tube which is much narrower at its outer extremity than it is where it emerges from the body. The tubes can often be seen some hours prior to spawning so there is no rush to try to identify which is a cone and which a tube. Even an absolute novice will be able to distinguish the difference between the two once they are lowered.

In his article Malcolm goes on to say that he lost many young fry in their early stage. I suspect the reason for this being that they drowned due to the type of food being fed. I am a great believer in Liquifry, but unfortunately a similar outcome would have been experienced even if the egglayer variety had been available. Whilst this type of infusoria is an excellent first food for most species, it does not suit angels as it apparently blocks the gills. Another first phase food which I have found unsuitable is the micro worm. Angels are gulp feeders and as they swallow the micro worms the small barbs on the tails of the worms rips the throat lining which results in heavy losses. It is heart breaking to find that a large spawning suddenly reduces by say 50% when you believe you are doing your best to rear them.

Without doubt Malcolm saved many fry by feeding them finely ground dry food, but I would recommend that if he does go on to set up a breeding programme that he considers using newly hatched brine shrimp as a first food. I have always found my fry will take this nutritious food as soon as they become free swimming and go on from strength to strength.

G.B.Hawksby.

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