Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare): care, tankmates and breeding
A cichlid with ambitions: graceful, territorial, capable of eating anything that fits in its mouth. Tank size, hierarchy, brood-care spawning, common compatibility mistakes.
The angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare) is an Amazonian cichlid — disc-shaped body, long fins, chess-pattern colours. Pet shops typically sell juveniles at 3–4 cm, which misleads buyers: an adult angel reaches 15 cm body length and 25 cm with fins. In the wrong tank it shows the worst cichlid traits — aggression, eating tankmates and fighting itself.
Tank size and parameters
Minimum for a pair — 150 L with at least 50 cm of height (long fins want vertical space). For a group of 4–6 — 250 L. Temperature 25–28 °C, pH 6.5–7.5, gH 4–12. Angels love the soft slightly acidic water of the tropics; they survive hard alkaline water but with dull colour and no breeding.
Schooling and hierarchy
Most common question: 'can I keep a single angelfish?'. Technically yes, but it's a depressed fish. Ideal — a group of 4–6 juveniles that pair off naturally with age. Keeping only one pair is risky: if the pair is incompatible the male bullies the female to death.
Tankmates — the biggest mistake
TRUTH: an adult angel eats neons, guppies, cardinals — anything under 4 cm. TRUTH: in small volumes it shreds betta and guppy tails. GOOD tankmates: bigger tetras (Congo, serpae), rainbowfish, corydoras, otocinclus, L144 bristlenose. NOT compatible: Malawi and Tanganyikan cichlids (different parameters), micro rasboras, any bettas. Details in our [compatibility handbook].
Feeding
Angels are carnivores with a plant supplement. Base: sinking cichlid pellets (Hikari Cichlid Excel, JBL NovoStick) 1–2 times daily. Twice a week — frozen brine shrimp, bloodworms, cyclops. Once a week — vegetable supplement (cucumber, spinach). Overfeeding leads quickly to obesity and swim-bladder issues.
Breeding — the best cichlid parent
An angel pair are model parents. They clean a flat leaf (Amazon sword) or a vertical surface (glass, ceramic tile) and lay 200–500 eggs. Both parents guard the eggs, fan them, retrieve stray fry. Hatch in 4–5 days, free-swimming in 7. Feed infusoria, then baby brine shrimp.
The catch: up to 60% of pairs eat their first clutch from stress. By the third or fourth attempt parenting stabilises. If breeding is the goal, move the clutch (with the leaf) into a separate grow-out tank with an airstone above for water movement.
The angelfish is a second- or third-aquarium fish. As a first fish in a 60 L neon community, it will turn the tank into a slaughterhouse within a month.
Diseases
Angels are prone to Hexamita (an internal flagellate; symptoms — 'hole-in-the-head', white stringy faeces) and mycobacteriosis. Prevention: 4-week quarantine for new arrivals, varied food (especially live and frozen), stable temperature. More in our [diseases handbook].
FAQ
- How long do angelfish live?
- In proper conditions 8–10 years, records up to 15. Fancy veil and delta strains live shorter — 5–7 years because of the load long fins put on the swim bladder.
- Can I keep angelfish with discus?
- Only in large tanks from 400 L and with IDENTICAL water parameters (soft, 28–30 °C). In practice pick one species: discus is more demanding, angels can bully them in smaller volumes.
- How do I sex angelfish?
- Hard before sexual maturity (12+ months). Male signs: broader forehead, pointed 'hook' on the anal fin, more active territorial behaviour. The female shows an ovipositor during spawning.
Goldie editorial team
Practising aquarists with a combined 30+ years of experience · Biologists and editors, fact-checking against FishBase and Seriously Fish · Every piece is reviewed by a qualified ichthyologist before publication
Senior aquarist, breeder, show judge
27+ years in aquaristics · Certified IAPLC judge (International Aquatic Plants Layout Contest) · Registered breeder of an Apistogramma agassizii line
Sources
- Seriously Fish — Pterophyllum scalare · Seriously Fish · 2026-10-16
- FishBase — Pterophyllum scalare · FishBase · 2026-10-16
- Practical Fishkeeping — Angelfish breeding · Practical Fishkeeping · 2026-10-16