🐠 Freshwater Angelfish Overview

• Scientific Name: Pterophyllum scalare

• Common Names: Freshwater Angelfish, Scalare

• Family: Cichlidae

• Origin: Amazon River Basin, South America

• Lifespan: 10–12 years (up to 15+ with proper care)

• Size: 6 inches in length, 8–12 inches in height (including fins)

🎨 Appearance

• Body Shape: Tall, compressed, triangular "angelic" shape

• Colors & Varieties:

  • Wild type: Silvery with three vertical black bands

  • Captive strains: Koi, Marble, Zebra, Gold, Veil Tail, Ghost, Blushing, Black Lace

• Fins: Long, flowing dorsal, anal, and ventral fins

• Eyes: Red or silver, depending on strain

🏡 Tank Requirements

• Tank Size:

  • Single: 30 gallons

  • Pair: 55 gallons

  • Group: 75–100 gallons

• Tank Height: Tall tanks preferred due to long fins

• Substrate: Smooth gravel or sand

• Decor: Driftwood, rocks, broad-leaved plants (e.g. Amazon swords), vertical slate for spawning

• Lighting: Moderate

• Filtration: Gentle to moderate; strong currents may stress them

• Lid: Required—they can jump

💧 Water Parameters

• Temperature: 75–86°F (24–30°C), ideal: 78–84°F

• pH: 6.0–7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)

• Hardness: 3–10 dGH (soft to moderately hard water)

• Water Changes: 25–30% weekly to maintain water quality

• Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm; Nitrate < 20 ppm

🍽️ Diet

• Type: Omnivore

• Staple Food: High-quality flakes or pellets

• Supplemental Foods:

  • Live/frozen: bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia, mysis shrimp

  • Vegetables: blanched spinach, spirulina flakes

• Feeding Frequency: 1–2 times per day; small portions

🧠 Behavior and Temperament

• Temperament: Generally peaceful but may become territorial when spawning

• Activity Level: Active mid-water swimmers

• Social Needs: Best kept in groups of 4–6 or bonded pairs

• Unique Traits: Intelligent, recognize owners, form strong bonds

🤝 Tankmates

• Good Companions:

  • Larger tetras (rummy nose, cardinal, black skirt)

  • Gouramis, rainbowfish

  • Corydoras, bristlenose plecos, loaches

• Avoid:

  • Fin-nippers (e.g. tiger barbs)

  • Very small fish (e.g. neon tetras may be eaten)

  • Aggressive or overly active species

🧬 Breeding

• Maturity: 6–12 months

• Pairing: Forms monogamous pairs

• Spawning Surface: Clean vertical surfaces (e.g. leaves, glass, slate)

• Egg Count: 100–1000 per spawn

• Parental Care: Both parents guard and fan eggs

• Hatching: Eggs hatch in 2–3 days; fry free-swimming after 5–7 days

• Feeding Fry: Infusoria, baby brine shrimp, micro worms

❤️ Health Tips

• Common Issues:

  • Ich (white spots)

  • Fin rot

  • Swim bladder issues

  • Parasitic infections

• Prevention:

  • Stable water parameters

  • Quarantine new fish

  • Don’t overcrowd

  • Avoid overfeeding

📌 Summary Table

IMAGES ARE FOR REPRESENTATIVE PURPOSES ONLY.