Freshwater Angelfish
Pterophyllum scalare · family Cichlidae
Also: Silver Angelfish, Amazon Angelfish
Parameters
- Temperature
- 24–28 °C
- pH
- 6.5–7.5
- Hardness
- 3–12 °dGH
- Tank volume
- from 150 L
- Maximum size
- up to 15 cm
- Group size
- min 4, ideal 6
- Temperament
- Semi-aggressive
- Swimming zone
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Lifespan
- 8–12 years
Description
The Freshwater Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare) is an iconic South American cichlid prized for its stately triangular profile and sweeping vertical fins reaching 20–25 cm in height. It is a calm mid-water ambush predator that coexists well with deep-bodied tetras and Corydoras, though adult Angelfish will hunt small Neon Tetras and dwarf shrimp.
Care
Provide a tall aquarium of at least 150 liters (40 gallons) with a minimum water height of 50 cm (20 inches), gentle filtration flow, vertical driftwood branches, and broad-leaved Amazonian sword plants at 24–28 °C.
Feeding
Quality cichlid flakes, slow-sinking pellets, frozen brine shrimp, bloodworms, and spirulina-enriched foods fed twice daily.
Breeding
Monogamous pairs clean a broad sword-plant leaf or slate, depositing 200–400 eggs and fiercely defending the spawning territory.
Compatibility
- Rummy-Nose Tetra
Hemigrammus rhodostomus
Взрослые родостомусы достаточно крупные и быстрые для успешного соседства со скаляриями. / Adult Rummy-Nose Tetras are fast and deep-bodied enough to live safely alongside Angelfish.
Good - Red Cherry Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi
Скалярии быстро уничтожат всех креветок Вишен в аквариуме. / Angelfish are active shrimp predators and will quickly hunt down Neocaridina shrimp.
Avoid
FAQ
- What is the minimum tank height for Freshwater Angelfish?
- At least 50 cm (20 inches) of vertical water column is required so their tall dorsal and anal fins develop properly without stunting.
- Why are my Angelfish fighting each other?
- As juveniles reach sexual maturity at 8–12 months, they form monogamous pairs and establish breeding territories.
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
Scientific board — ichthyologists and veterinarians
Ichthyologists and veterinarians with university degrees · Reference FishBase, Seriously Fish and peer-reviewed literature · Sign every reviewed article with their credentials shown
Sources
- FishBase: Pterophyllum scalare · FishBase · 2026-05-22
- Seriously Fish: Pterophyllum scalare · Seriously Fish · 2026-05-22