Some fish are very sexually dimorphic. Freshwater angelfish are different. How do you distinguish male from female angelfish? How can you tell the difference? For someone just starting, this can seem daunting.

This blog will cover all the distinguishing factors, both the obvious and the subtle. I am confident you’ll be able to identify them all by the end.

How To Know Male And Female Angelfish?

Feature	Male	Female
Size	Males tend to be larger than females.	Males are about an inch smaller than females.
The Breeding Tube	It is pointed and thin, almost like a pencil point.	It is narrow, blunt, and rounded for egg-laying.
Nuchal Hump	The forehead nuchal hump is subtle in males.	Females have a smooth forehead without any hump.
The Body Shape	The body is angular.	The body is more round and plump.
Ventral Fins	Ventral fins look split at the ends.	Ventral fins have a smooth appearance without forking.
Dorsal Fin	The dorsal fin is nearly fully erect, and forms a 90 degree angle.	The dorsal fin is tilted in the backward direction.
Belly	Belly keeps its original form and color all year.	When you are carrying eggs, your belly can become swollen and distended.
Growth Rate	Males reach sexual maturity and grow faster than females.	Females grow at a slower rate than males.
Behaviour	Males tend to be more aggressive and hyperactive than females.	Females tend to be more subdued and relaxed than males.

We hope you find the table and illustration helpful. Let me now explain these differences in more detail.

Let’s first address this question.

When Do Angelfish Reach Sexual Maturity?

Angelfish reach sexual maturity between 6-12 month old . This is a wide range. However, it depends on many factors such as the species’ genes, diet, and environment in the tank.

These fish can attain sexual maturity in as little as 6 to 7 months if they are given the right care.

This is why I asked this question before getting into detail. It is difficult to tell the difference when they are young. Even the most keen eyes can be deceiving.

Breeding Tubes Are Different

You can see tiny, tube-shaped appendages that stick out of the angelfish’s bellies when they reach sexual maturity. These tubes are located between the ventral fins and the anal fins.

Males have a longer, narrower, more pointed tube. It looks almost like a sharpened pencil tip. The female tube, on the other hand, is cylindrical and round.

You can only see breeding tubes during mating season. The good news is that angelfish with established breeding tubes can breed as fast as every 10 days!

You can either catch the fish using a net, or transfer them into a smaller container to absorb the breeding tube. You can handle them in any way you like, but be gentle with them.

If your angelfish are stressed, it’s impossible for you to inspect the breeding tubes.

Body Shape And Size Are Different

Like most species, males are slightly larger than females. They also have a more sharp and angular body shape, while the females are more round and plump.

The large crown on male angelfish’s heads is a sign of their masculinity. This is actually a nuchal bump that gives their foreheads a bumped appearance. This characteristic usually appears only after the fish reaches adulthood. The foreheads of females are smoother.

But nuchal hump may not be the best way to distinguish the sexes. This difference isn’t always evident in all strains.

When carrying eggs, the female’s stomach becomes distended and swollen. She may have hundreds of eggs. Contrary to popular belief, the male’s stomach looks the same over their entire lives.

Also, it has been reported that males tend to grow faster than females. This is not a strong point. The growth rate of sex is dependent on many other factors, such as diet, environment, genes, and gender.

Ventral And Dorsal Fins Are Different

The ventral fins of male angelfish have a rough, forked appearance. The fins split towards their ends. The forked appearance of female ventral fins is absent. The fins are smooth.

Males have erect dorsal fins. They form almost a 90-degree angle, similar to the nuchal hump on their forehead. Females’ dorsal fins tilt backward and are smoother than their forehead.

Last but not least, the females’ line from their dorsal fins to their eyes is slightly longer than the males’.

Temperament Is Different

Male angelfish are more territorial, aggressive and active than their female counterparts. They will often be seen chasing their tankmates or guarding their territory.

Females are more subdued and relaxed than males. Most of the time, she is not aggressive when tending to her eggs or fry.

The male can also be seen chasing the female during mating season, and performing a show to seduce her. He will circle her and fan his fins out for her.

Once you have mastered the basics of how to identify male and female angelfish, let’s quickly review the breeding guide.

A Short Guide On Breeding Angelfish

If you want to have the best chance of breeding angelfish, purchase a few juveniles and then raise them until they reach adulthood. You will eventually have several pairs as they become sexually mature. This process can take anywhere from 6 months to one year. These fish will mate for their entire lives in the tank. In the wild they are promiscuous.

It is best to move the breeding pair to a separate tank once they have formed. This is because they will become intolerant of their tankmates. They can’t help but follow their parental instincts!

Setting Up Angelfish Breeding Tank

At least 29 gallons should be enough for a breeding tank. If you have the funds to buy a bigger one, do so. Your makeshift home should have water parameters that closely match their habitat. You don’t want to shock your breeding pair.

Temperature should be between 75-82degF (24 to 28 degC). Water should be slightly acidic, with a pH range between 6.8 and 7.

As they prepare for breeding, one of their first steps is digging. They will transfer the wigglers to another pit after they hatch, for safety reasons. It will be difficult for the fry to find food that has not fallen to their base.

I recommend adding a sandy substrate.

You should also add a flat rock or a breeding cone to allow the fish to lay eggs on them.

Use a sponge filter for filtration. You run the risk of the fry getting caught in the filter. An air pump would also be a good idea. The survival of your fry is directly linked to proper air circulation.

Here are 3 things you can do that will encourage them to reproduce:

• Do a large water change
• Increase the temperature
• Feed protein-rich food

Angelfish mating ritual

Fish engage in an amusing mating ritual when they are ready to mate. They will hug, kiss, flake their fins and circle one another.

The designated mating area will be cleaned thoroughly by the fry, removing all dirt and sand. They will also dig several holes in the substrate to provide temporary housing for the fry.

The chosen rock is the female’s choice. She will hover around it and rub her underside against it. The female will then lay her first eggs.

The male will follow the female and pour the milt on top of them for fertilization. The process will continue for several hours, until all eggs have been laid and fertilized.

A single breeding season can produce up to 300 eggs per clutch!

Caring For The Eggs And Fry

Fertilized eggs turn a golden brown, while unfertilized eggs become stark white. It takes 72 hours (3 days) for eggs to hatch. During this time, the parents will watch over the eggs and protect the territory.

The eggs will be nourished by the yolk sac once they hatch. The wiggler stage is when the parents take care of the fry and move them to other pre-dug pits.

The wiggler stage can last between 5-6 days. You can then start giving them baby brine shrimps, pulverized flake foods, microworms and daphnia.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Male Angelfish Bigger Than Females?

There are other things that remain constant. Males in the animal kingdom are almost always larger than females. But, it’s possible for things to turn either way in captivity.

Although males naturally tend to be larger than their female counterparts, factors such as the environment in which they live, what kind of food they consume, and even their genes all play an important role in determining growth and final size.

Are female angelfish more aggressive?

In fact, males tend to be more aggressive than their female counterparts. Nature has hardwired males to be assertive, territorial, and short-tempered.

Females can be just as mean, and they may display these traits while caring for their children. You can’t deny that maternal instincts are strong!

Can I Keep An All-Male Angelfish Tank?

If that is what you really want, then you can keep an angelfish tank with all-male males. But I’d advise against it. We must not forget that angelfish can be confused with cichlids. They are territorial fish that can also be aggressive. The only males should be kept as this will lead to brawls and nipping, stress, injuries, and even death.

If you are able to provide a large tank for male angelfish and you are willing to allow some fish to attain martyrdom, then you can keep an all-male tank.

Why is my male angelfish attacking females?

Male angelfish often attack another male because they are competing for land and resources. If the male is harassing or coaxing a female to mating, it is most likely that he is trying to intimidate her.

Angelfish are not known for their chivalry.

If you keep angelfish in a 1:1 male to female ratio, the female will likely be the victim of harassment quite often. It is best to keep male and female angelfish at a ratio of 1:1.

Final Words: How To Know Male And Female Angelfish?

Angelfish are not known for their sexual dimorphism. Even experienced hobbyists might have trouble identifying them at first glance.

The appearance of the breeding tubes is the most obvious difference between the sexes. The male’s breeding tube is pointed and long, while the female’s tube is narrow and blunt. This difference is not visible until sexual maturity, however.

Other parameters that can help you distinguish them include their size, body shape, nuchal Hump, the appearance of the stomach, and other behavioral cues.