Fish Database: Angelfish - Pterophyllum scalare
Aquarium requirements
Aquarium suitability: 5/5
Sociability rating: 7/10
Area of tank: Middle, top
Aquarium water conditions: 6-8, vs,s,m,h
Temperature: 24 - 30C
Feeding: Flake, frozen, live foods
Minimum tank size: 90cm
Min / Max number in tank:
Fish fact file
Family: Cichlidae (Cichlids)
Synonyms: Zeus scalaris
Other common names: Freshwater Angelfish, Marbled Angel, Koi Angel, Black Angel
Origin: South America, Amazon River basin
Natural habitat: Densely vegetated pools, swamps, flooded regions, or riverbanks
Size: 14cm
Behavior: Normally quiet and very peaceful, occasional troublemakers, spawning fish will become territorial
Breeding: Egg layer, Parents will pair up before hand, clean a spawning site (normally a flat or smooth surface) onto which the adhesive eggs are laid. Both parents guard and care for the eggs and young. Paired fish may spawn many times and defend each other. Inten
Natural water conditions: pH 5-7.5, very soft to medium
Sexing: Despite often heard claims regarding head shape, colour or finnage, there are no external differences between males and females, sexing is only possible during spawning
Angelfish
Fish code No.1101
The Angelfish is a stunning aquarium fish with plenty of character and is deservedly one of the most well-known and popular aquarium fish. Its behaviour in the aquarium can be very varied depending on conditions and individuals may be quiet peaceful loners or aggressive territorial bullies. Aggression is normally only directed at other angelfish unless a pair is breeding, in which case they will defend a small breeding area from all other fish. Angelfish can be kept in any numbers but in small groups (2-4 fish), a difficult individual may bully the others. In larger groups (5+) difficult individuals will be subdued and the aggression is shared out. Angelfish should be kept in aquariums with some planting and hiding spots amongst vertical décor. Angelfish often develop a reputation for eating smaller fish, such as neon's, but this should be taken with a pinch of salt. A large neon for instance, will simply not fit in even an adult angelfishes mouth, thus, Angelfish can be kept with smaller fish providing common sense is applied.

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Article - Angelfish
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