Scientific Name: Pterophyllum scalare
Common Name: Angelfish
Care Level: easy to moderately difficult
Size: 6 inches
pH Range: 6.0-7.5
Temperature Range: 24-30 degrees Celsius (76-86° F)
Origin: Amazon river, Brazil
Temperament: peaceful
Compatible Tankmates:
Angels are in general peaceful for cichlids and are suitable for community setups although be very careful in selecting their tankmates as they will often prey upon fish that will fit their mouths especially neon tetras which are their natural food in the wild.
Diet:
Omnivorous. They will eat anything you can provide them including commercial foods, bloodworms, earthworms and mosquito larva.
Tank Size for Adult: 20g.
Narrative:
Angelfish are one of the most popular cichlids in the aquarium trade. They have been around the aquarium trade for several decades already. They are often seen gracing the tank with their flamboyant fins. These fish are generally peaceful although they can often be aggressive during feeding time and may outstrip every tankmate for food.
Tall tanks are often best suited for these fish. The height must be at least 18 inches minimum. A 20g minimum is suggested for a breeding pair or a single adult but do make sure the dimensions provide ample space for them to swim around. The tank should be furnished with driftwood and heavy vegetation for them to seek refuge.
In the wild, angels often have black to brown vertical bars which help them camouflage among the reeds. Their habitat, in reality, barely has plants and mostly dominated by hairgrass (Eleocharis vivapara) along with tree roots. They are often seen stalking among the tall reeds looking for prey which comprises of insects, small fish and other aquatic creatures that will fit their mouths.
Angelfish have long been bred in captivity for decades so you will find that they are widely available around the trade in different strains ranging from the hardy koi, marble and zebra strains to the delicate double blacks. Genetics often play their role in the longevity of the angelfish strains. Veiltails and super veils are also widely available and require larger tanks than the minimum tank size given to provide space for them to be able to swim around well.
These fish are not sexually dimorphic until they spawn. Try to start a small group of young angelfish to grow on and let them pair off. They are rather choosy about their partners. Once the angelfish become sexually matured, they begin to choose their partner and once satisfied, they start choosing a spawning site and harass other tankmates as they defend their new territory.
Males are easily distinguished when you look at their vents which should be pointed and positioned forward whereas females have round edged vents and the vents are positioned backward. Anything else suggested to indicate their sexes such as humps on their heads and fins may not be perfectly accurate at all.
Male
Female
Breeding is not that difficult at all. After they chose their spawning spot, the female then starts laying her eggs on the spot and the male tries to release his milt to be able to fertilize the eggs. Sometimes, first time spawners will eat their eggs so you need to be patient when this happens. It takes time before the angelfish learn how to take care of their eggs properly. Sometimes two females will also pair off, not knowing their genders so it is wise to remove one of the females and let her choose another candidate as her partner.
Common Name: Angelfish
Care Level: easy to moderately difficult
Size: 6 inches
pH Range: 6.0-7.5
Temperature Range: 24-30 degrees Celsius (76-86° F)
Origin: Amazon river, Brazil
Temperament: peaceful
Compatible Tankmates:
Angels are in general peaceful for cichlids and are suitable for community setups although be very careful in selecting their tankmates as they will often prey upon fish that will fit their mouths especially neon tetras which are their natural food in the wild.
Diet:
Omnivorous. They will eat anything you can provide them including commercial foods, bloodworms, earthworms and mosquito larva.
Tank Size for Adult: 20g.
Narrative:
Angelfish are one of the most popular cichlids in the aquarium trade. They have been around the aquarium trade for several decades already. They are often seen gracing the tank with their flamboyant fins. These fish are generally peaceful although they can often be aggressive during feeding time and may outstrip every tankmate for food.
Tall tanks are often best suited for these fish. The height must be at least 18 inches minimum. A 20g minimum is suggested for a breeding pair or a single adult but do make sure the dimensions provide ample space for them to swim around. The tank should be furnished with driftwood and heavy vegetation for them to seek refuge.
In the wild, angels often have black to brown vertical bars which help them camouflage among the reeds. Their habitat, in reality, barely has plants and mostly dominated by hairgrass (Eleocharis vivapara) along with tree roots. They are often seen stalking among the tall reeds looking for prey which comprises of insects, small fish and other aquatic creatures that will fit their mouths.
Angelfish have long been bred in captivity for decades so you will find that they are widely available around the trade in different strains ranging from the hardy koi, marble and zebra strains to the delicate double blacks. Genetics often play their role in the longevity of the angelfish strains. Veiltails and super veils are also widely available and require larger tanks than the minimum tank size given to provide space for them to be able to swim around well.
These fish are not sexually dimorphic until they spawn. Try to start a small group of young angelfish to grow on and let them pair off. They are rather choosy about their partners. Once the angelfish become sexually matured, they begin to choose their partner and once satisfied, they start choosing a spawning site and harass other tankmates as they defend their new territory.
Males are easily distinguished when you look at their vents which should be pointed and positioned forward whereas females have round edged vents and the vents are positioned backward. Anything else suggested to indicate their sexes such as humps on their heads and fins may not be perfectly accurate at all.
Male
Female
Breeding is not that difficult at all. After they chose their spawning spot, the female then starts laying her eggs on the spot and the male tries to release his milt to be able to fertilize the eggs. Sometimes, first time spawners will eat their eggs so you need to be patient when this happens. It takes time before the angelfish learn how to take care of their eggs properly. Sometimes two females will also pair off, not knowing their genders so it is wise to remove one of the females and let her choose another candidate as her partner.
