Unique Behaviors of Pairs of Freshwater Angels

Since friends and family are, shall we say, less than fascinated, I will bore you guys instead- this is nothing scientific it is simply observations of different pairs of Angels. What intrigues me is how individuals behaves toward the other. While the basic spawning behaviors are consistent, the similarities end there.
One pair is actually a trio, two males, one female. The female is older than the males. She originally paired with a silver veil about a year her junior. There was no overt courting, no jaw locking, flashing, etc. They simply began staying together, the male chased off any Angels that came too close, and they spawned every 10 days or so. After a year or so I plopped a large young male in the tank (a 60 gal.) for lack of anywhere else to put him. Boys being boys, he set about wooing the only girl in town. She seemed underwhelmed, but to my surprise at the next spawn the two males followed her passes, taking turns fertilizing the eggs, as well as fanning and guarding the spawn. In between spawnings the younger male does make half- hearted efforts to drive off the other, but nothing serious.
I have a pair of DDblacks both about the same age. They are very flashy and animated with each other. After spawning usually one or the other will have missing scales, minor ripped fins. Sometimes it's the male, sometimes the female- never both. I don't know what decides which one takes the beating. Once the eggs are laid and fertilized Mrs. sends him packing to the far end of the tank until the fry free swim. He will sometimes eat eggs/wigglers and she obviously knows that.
A second pair of DDblacks have a very peaceful relationship, little courting or aggressive behavior, the female is about 4 months older and slightly larger. Both care for the spawn equally.
I have 3 pr of Koi Angels. All are close in age and were raised together. One is a female of intense color, good size, and dominant attitude. I was convinced she was a male and kept trying to pair her up with females. Finally I tried males and their reaction clued me in on her sex, but she demolished any male that didn't stand up to her. This was not posturing, it was all out, and she fought dirty, deliberately aiming for the eyes. The third male I tried held his own, she was impressed, and that was their first and only fight. They spawn regularly, he is a fanatically attentive parent and their offspring are lovely- only one thing,,,, their "courtship" left him totally blind. Still he carries on, at times a little clumsy, occasionally knocking off a few eggs while making passes, but remarkably proficient considering.
Another Koi pair, same age with a smallish female also spawn regularly, but the female is somewhat wary and uneasy around the larger male. The third pair is closer in size, the slightly larger male is dominate, but not a bully about it.
My largest Angels, a pair of streaked blacks, are also the same age, with the female slightly larger, though the male appears as big due to wide veil fins. I don't think she is fooled by that though. They are close to a perfect couple- they never fight or even posture, the male constantly tends to the spawning tray just in case, he is protective of her even when they aren't breeding, and she lays down huge spawns when they are.
Lastly, I once had two young adult Angels, a gold and a marble, both so called super-veils. They got along, but I could never definitively sex either one. I didn't want to breed them, so it didn't really matter, but I was curious so I put them in a 29 gal. breeding tank. Nothing happened. One day I was reducing an Angelfish spawn by feeding off a portion of the wigglers. As I went around to dole out second helpings I noticed that rather than eating them, the super veils had gently gathered them up and spat them onto the breeding tray. Intrigued I gave them what was left. They did the same with those. In short, I had a pair of obsessed foster parents. They successfully raised those babies, and many more after that. I could give them fry of any age, it didn't matter. I often had them parenting 2 or 3 groups of different age fry at the same time. Unfortunately one day the gold suddenly and mysteriously sickened. He/she seemed totally aware, yet unable to control muscles enough to swim effectively. It was terribly sad to see, and it's partner seemed genuinely confused/upset. It would swim down and stay near, looking at the sick fish from all angles as if trying to understand why it was behaving so strangely. Perhaps I'm being anthropomorphic, but it was heartbreaking. I euthanized it.
Now that I've made a long story MUCH longer, anyone who actually made it to here, bless your saintly patient heart. (MY partner is kind of giving me that same confused look right now..... better go.)

I found it very intriguing and fascinating, you write like I do, very passionately and describe everything!!! My husband also laughs at my long-writings!!!

I like te insite into Angel behaviour and found the adoptive pair so amazing! Also the variety of relationships/ tones/ personalities and so on, I do not know if it is antrhropamophic or not but Ialso find my BN bahaiours to be fascinately and also diverse in their relatinoships as well.

Funny I guess us humans may not be the only ones that come in a calidoscope of colors, beauty and uniqueness! maybe..... I sure think so!

Nice to hear someone love their fish so much. I also have Angels, one koi female and a pair of chocolate angels.
Each one is different. Also they all recognise me and come up to feed on the same at the same time every day. The are some of the best fish I have ever owned.
Marty

Thank you Carolan and Marty! I do tend to go on and on sometimes, you've made a newcomer feel very welcome. This seems like a really nice bunch of people, happy to share your love of the little BN- they are so very charming.

Sarahdd wrote:

Thank you Carolan and Marty! I do tend to go on and on sometimes, you've made a newcomer feel very welcome. This seems like a really nice bunch of people, happy to share your love of the little BN- they are so very charming.

I think fish and fishkeeping is what makes most of us go on sometimes. Plus it is great to be passionate.
Marty