What Is An Angelfish?
Freshwater angelfish are South American cichlids of the Pterophyllum genus. These graceful and elegant fish are relatively peaceful as far as cichlids go, and are popular as community fish for freshwater aquariums.
Angelfish are hardy tropical fish that can live as long as a decade in a well-maintained fish tank. These fish have been captive-bred in the aquarium hobby for generations and are available in an amazing variety of different breeds today.
There are 3 wild species of freshwater angelfish known in the freshwater aquarium hobby:
Common angelfish- Pterophyllum scalare
Most of the angelfish found in the aquarium trade are varieties of this species.
Altum angelfish- Pterophyllum altum
This large species is seen less often but is pretty well known in the hobby.
Leopold’s angelfish- Pterophyllum leopoldi
The last species is very rare in the hobby, but is the smallest of the three and does very well in aquariums
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1. Black Lace Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare var. Black lace)
Black angelfish are almost completely black, and usually do not have any white pigmentation. This dramatic-looking breed typically has red eyes which stand out against their dark body color.
2. Bulgarian seal point angelfish
Bulgarian Seal Point (BSP) These have a recessive gene that removes a lot of the body pigments and gives very light green sheen to some varieties when homozygous in the fish. Seal Points are this gene’s version of a black angelfish. These are a hardy, fast-growing strain of Angelfish.
3. Koi Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare var. Koi)
The koi angelfish is one of the most popular types of angelfish and it is easy to see why! Each koi angelfish is unique which makes them highly sought after, and often more expensive. This variant typically has three colors (tricolor) like the Asian koi carp. These colors are white, black, and golden orange/yellow. Koi angelfish are eyecatching fish that make a great centerpiece fish in community aquariums.
4. Silver Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare var. Silver)
The common Angelfish sold today is generally considered to be a hybrid of Pterophyllum scalare; however, this may not be the case. Forms of Angelfish found in the wild have become fixed forms by captive inbreeding. The common Angelfish has historically been referred to as Pterophyllum scalare because this angelfish proved to be the hardiest and easiest to breed in captivity.
5. Black Marble Angelfish
The cichlid belongs to the group of angelfish species. This cichlid can gain massive heights due to the oversized dorsal and anal fins that grow past their body’s length.
They gain a maximum length of 6 inches with their heights, measuring from the dorsal fin’s tip to the end of the anal fin and reaching up to 8-10 inches. The veil species can gain much longer heights because of their massively long fins.
6. Gold head Pearlscale Angelfish
The golden head angelfish is a distinctive breed with a white body and orange head. The orange coloration extends roughly from the fish’s mouth to the start of the dorsal fin.
It seems the “fancier” the variation of the breed like this one the more peaceful they are, but they can still be predatory and may nip at other tank mates especially if they don’t have enough room or are laying eggs.
Keep décor such as driftwood and plants in your tank if housing these beauties. Like with other fish, keep your water quality maintained for the health of these fish.
Feed them a varied diet such as flakes, small pellets/granules, or bloodworms.
7. Platinum Red Eye Angelfish
The platinum angelfish is a dazzling breed with all-white coloration. These fish are not albino, however, and have red eyes. Platinum angelfish really stand out in a tank with good lighting and a dark background.
8. Altum Angelfish (Pterophyllum Altum)
The Altum Angelfish. Orinoco Angelfish is the largest of these three species. It is distinguished by having a “notch” on the upper part of its snout followed by a steeply rising forehead, rather than a more flat or slightly rounded forehead as on the other two species. In color and pattern, it is very similar. The fins may have some red striations, and on adults, the dorsal fin may have some red spots and a blue-green cast. But overall, the color differences are subtle. Previously, only wild-caught specimens of the Altum Angel could be obtained. For years, this species was considered impossible to breed. More recently, however, it has been successfully bred by some hobbyists, and captive-bred specimens are now occasionally available as well.
9. Black Tip Platinum Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare Platinum)
This species of angelfish is a genetically modified breed. These fish are very rare and were first developed by researchers in Europe. One thing is for certain though, these bright angels with black tips are one of the most amazing angelfish breed in the hobby!
10. Blue Zebra Angelfish
The blue angelfish is a beautiful breed that has a powdery blue tint to its silvery body. The verticle black bars may be fainter in fish with the blue gene than in other breeds, but will usually still be visible.
This awesome angelfish variety develops a striking bright blue/turquoise sheen as it matures!
The Blue Pinoy Zebra Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare), also known as the Philippine Blue Pinoy or Cobalt Angelfish, is a very in-demand color variant of the classic angelfish. Juveniles often do not display the blue/turquoise coloration, but will develop it generously as they grow and approach maturity (see adult pictures). This shoaling cichlid is relatively peaceful compared to other members of the cichlid family. It also has a very thin, tall body unlike most other cichlids. The Blue Pinoy Zebra Angelfish is indigenous to several river systems in Northern South America, but virtually all specimens in the aquarium hobby have been tank-raised for generations.
The Blue Pinoy Zebra Angelfish will thrive in a heavily planted aquarium with driftwood and/or rock formations and gentle water flow. It is not overly reclusive, but this fish strongly prefers the cover of plants and, due to its body shape, is not likely to seek refuge in rock caves and similar structures. The Blue Pinoy Zebra Angelfish is generally compatible with other peaceful fish as long as it has plenty of space. Territoriality is typically at its peak during spawning. Dwarf shrimp and other small, delicate invertebrates should not be kept with the Blue Pinoy Zebra Angelfish, but more durable, larger shrimp and snails could possibly make good tankmates in a large enough aquarium. If spawning is desired, tankmates of other species should be kept to a minimum or avoided altogether unless the aquarium is very spacious.
Feeding is simple for the unfussy Blue Pinoy Zebra Angelfish. High-quality dry, frozen, and live foods will all be readily accepted. Quality and variety are the keys to a diet that will ensure that this fish maintains optimal health and coloration.
What We Like About This Angelfish:
Very elegant appearance and behavior
Incredible blue/turquoise coloration in adults
Possible to breed in the aquarium
Excellent centerpiece fish for the heavily planted aquarium
CARE GUIDELINES:
Diet: Omnivorous. A variety of high-quality dry, frozen, and live foods is necessary for optimal health and coloration.
Social behavior: Shoaling. Generally peaceful, but can be territorial during spawning.
Origin: Tank-bred, but indigenous to Northern South America
Average adult size: 6 inches (15 cm) long, 8 inches (20 cm) tall
Average purchase size: Juvenile: 1 – 1.5 inches (2.5 – 3.8 cm), Adult: 3 – 4 inches (7.6 – 10.2 cm)
Angelfish Habitat: Distribution / Background
The Angelfish Pterophyllum scalare was described by Schultze in 1823. They inhabit slow-moving rivers in Northern South America: the central Amazon River basin and tributaries to Peru, Brazil, and eastern Ecuador. This species is not listed on the IUCN Red List. Other common names they are known by include Silver Angelfish, #Freshwater Angelfish, and Common Angelfish.
In the wild, these #cichlids live in swamps or flooded areas where the vegetation is dense. The water can be either clear or silty, but its color is stronger in clearer waters. They feed on smaller fish and invertebrates as well as food particles in the water.
Angelfish Colors, Patterns, Fins, and Sex Differences
Angelfish have wide bodies, triangular snouts, fan-shaped caudal fins, and long, flowing dorsal and pectoral fins.
Angelfish are available in several colours, and the most common angelfish color is silver with four vertical black stripes. Juvenile angelfish have seven black stripes on their bodies, but as the fish mature, the number of stripes decreases.
In addition to silver, angelfish are found in gold, black, white, orange, and yellow. Marbled angelfish have no black stripes, but have a combination of marbled black, white, orange, yellow, gold, and silver on their bodies.
Albino angelfish have pure white bodies with red eyes, yellowy-orange heads, and red-hued tails. Platinum and gold angelfish are pure silver or pure gold, with no black bands.
Panda angelfish are a color variation of angelfish with white bodies and black patches that resemble a panda’s markings.
The brightness of an angelfish’s coloring depends on the fish’s mood and stress levels. When angelfish are stressed or asleep, the fish appear duller in color. Healthy, well-nourished angelfish living in ideal water conditions have vibrant colors. Male angelfish have bolder colors than usual when attracting females for breeding.
Breeding Freshwater Angelfish
Angelfish are easy to reproduce in the aquarium. The best method involves growing 6 to 8 fish together and allowing them to pair off when they are ready to breed.
Once a pair has formed, they will clean a prospective breeding site on a vertical surface somewhere in the tank. Often it is large plant leaf, a vertical piece of driftwood or slate rock, or even an area on the aquarium glass. The male and female fish will make a number of passes over a site they are spawning on, and will then guard their eggs.
Unfortunately, in many cases the pair will eat their spawn. If this is the case, removing the spawn and placing it in a separate, bare bottom rearing aquarium maintained with the same water parameters as the main aquarium is recommended.
The eggs start to wriggle after a few days, and 48 to 72 hours later the fry become free swimming and are ready to be fed newly hatched live baby brine shrimp. Filtration is best provided by an air pump driven sponge filter. Angelfish tend to have large spawns, so small partial water changes every two days will be necessary. Two to three feedings per day of live baby brine shrimp is recommended, and within a couple of weeks fine crushed flake food can be offered while the feeding of live brine shrimp is gradually diminished.
To breed angelfish in your tank, follow these instructions:
Observe your school of angelfish. The fish should pair off naturally and set territories for themselves.
Create a separate 20-gallon breeding tank for a fish pair, with slow-flowing water, a temperature of 82°F, and a suitable slanted spawning surface, such as anacharis or PVC pipes.
Condition the fish by feeding them a high-protein diet of tubifex worms or bloodworms, four times per day.
Move the pair to the breeding tank and watch their behavior. When the female lingers next to the spawning surface, she is getting ready to lay her eggs.
The female will lay up to 400 eggs, which the male will fertilize externally.
The eggs will hatch after two or three days. The parents will look after the fry for about up to a month. Remove the parents after four weeks and return the fish to their home tank.
Feed the fry brine shrimp larvae until the fish reach six weeks old. Then, move onto a diet of flakes and dried food.
After six weeks, the angelfish are large enough to be moved to a community tank.
If you have trouble with your angelfish raising there fry then we recommend trying these.
If you have never kept angelfish and enjoy tropical fishkeeping, do yourself a favor and set up a nicely planted tank and get some. They are rich in character and loaded with interesting behaviours – it is truly a fish deserving of its name.
Typical Angelfish Behavior
Angelfish are active, showy fish that swim in the mid-levels of the tank, weaving in and out of aquarium plants. The fish are diurnal, meaning that they’re more active during the day than at night.
With enough space to claim their own territories, #angelfish are peaceful fish, but when housed with too many fish of their kind, angelfish fight to defend their space or claim a mate.
Although angelfish form schools, the fish aren’t sociable with other angelfish and rarely interact with one another. However, angelfish are less aggressive than other cichlids and are unlikely to bully other fish species in the tank.
Angelfish Aquarium Setup
A minimum 30-gallon aquarium is suggested, though a larger tank would be best if keeping several. They need good water movement along with very strong and efficient filtration. They do best in a warm aquarium with soft, slightly acidic to neutral water. Provide hardy plants placed around the inside perimeter along with some rocks and roots, but keep an open area
RECOMMENDED TANK PARAMETERS:
Temperature: 76° – 86° F (24° – 30° C)
pH: 6.0 – 7.4
KH: 0 – 15 KH
Minimum tank size: 40 gallons for a pair, but a larger tank is required for a group. The tall body shape of this fish must be considered regarding the height of its tank.
Angelfish Common Disease.
There are several common freshwater diseases that affect angelfish in captivity:
Angelfish Ich
Ich, or white spot disease, is caused by stress, which usually results from poor tank conditions. The protozoan parasite, Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, causes white, itchy spots on the fish’s body. Ich also causes lethargy and a lack of appetite.
Treat ich by quarantining the affected fish in a separate tank. Increase the water temperature by a couple of degrees to speed up the protozoan’s lifespan and add one teaspoon of salt per gallon of water in the tank.
Angelfish Dropsy
Dropsy is a symptom of an underlying bacterial infection, which can occur if the fish’s immune system becomes compromised. This bacterial infection causes a bloated appearance, scales that stick out from the body, protruding eyes, rapid breathing, lethargy, and loss of appetite.
Treat dropsy with antibacterial medication recommended by your veterinarian, and add ⅛ teaspoon of Epsom salt to every five gallons of water.
Angelfish Fin Rot
Fin rot is a bacterial infection that is commonly caused by fluctuating water parameters. This disease attacks the fins from the edges, working towards the body. There are several types of flavobacteria that are responsible for fin rot, including Columnare and Aeromonas. Fin rot causes shredded, milky fins and difficulty swimming.
Treat fin rot by cleaning the tank and carrying out 20–50% water changes for at least two weeks. Speak to your veterinarian about using antibiotic treatment.
Angelfish Tank Mates
In the wild, angelfish live in one of the most diverse habits, with thousands of other fish.
In an enclosed tank habitat, the fish’s territorial, aggressive nature is heightened, so don’t house angelfish with shy species that are intimidated by pushy, boisterous fish.
Great tank mates for angelfish are:
Other angelfish. Angelfish can be housed in groups of up to six, as long as the tank is big enough to help them avoid conflict.
Other compatible cichlids, such as discus and dwarf cichlids
Don’t house angelfish with non-fish tank mates because angelfish are likely to harass or attack crabs, shrimp, and other invertebrates.
Angelfish Diet and Feeding
Angelfish eat a diet of small live prey, including insects, larvae, crustaceans, and small fish in the wild.
Replicate this diet in captivity by providing a high-protein, high-fiber diet with limited plant matter.
Feed angelfish live foods such as tubifex worms, which are a vital source of protein for the fish. Brine shrimp and live water fleas are other good protein sources for angelfish.
Aside from live prey, provide nutritious, high-protein fish flakes or pellets, and a small amount of high-fiber plant food, such as blanched spinach or zucchini.
Angelfish require at least two feedings per day. Provide only a pinch of food at a time, ensuring the fish eat for two whole minutes. Remove uneaten food to keep the tank clean.
We Do Recommend These if you are still looking what to feed your angelfish then try
Should You Get an Angelfish for Your Aquarium?
even though Angelfish are a beautiful fish that can be occasionally aggressive. You should only consider getting an angelfish for your aquarium if you have enough space to house this type of fish species, even if you have experience looking after other freshwater fish. If your fish tank contains shy, nervous fish, or your tank is crowded with lots of fish already. then consider only adding a pair of angelfish to your fish tank. Despite their occasionally territorial behavior, angelfish are colorful, majestic and beautiful fish that will have an impact on any aquarium.
Which species is your favorite? What makes your aquarium special? Check out our other articles below for more information on aquariums and freshwater fish and helpfull tips to help you with your fish tank and aquatic journeys
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