Angel Fish

Angel Fish (Pterophyllum scalare) is one of the most iconic and beloved freshwater fish in the hobby — kept by aquarists for nearly a century and still one of the most captivating fish available. The tall, laterally compressed body with long, flowing dorsal, anal, and ventral fins creates a silhouette that is unmistakable and endlessly graceful. The silver body with bold black vertical bars is the wild-type pattern from which all the elaborate color forms in the hobby have been developed.

Feeding & Care Tip: Sera Vipan Tropical Flakes and Hikari Micro Pellets make excellent daily staples — crush flakes for juveniles. Supplement 2–3× per week with Hikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Bloodworms or Hikari Vibra Bites to bring out best color and condition. Hikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Brine Shrimp make an excellent treat for adult fish. Feed 2–3 times daily in small amounts.

Native to the Amazon basin across Peru, Colombia, and Brazil, wild Pterophyllum scalare inhabits slow-moving, heavily vegetated rivers, streams, and flooded forest areas. In the wild they are found among tall aquatic plants and submerged wood, hanging motionless in the water column waiting for small prey. Decades of captive breeding have produced fish that are adaptable to a wide range of water conditions.

Angelfish are devoted and fascinating parents. Pairs bond for life — presenting a flat, vertical surface such as a broad Amazon Sword leaf, a smooth slate tile, or a piece of PVC pipe triggers spawning. The female lays rows of adhesive eggs which both parents fan and guard obsessively, chasing away all other fish in the aquarium. Eggs hatch in 24–48 hours and the wriggling larvae are typically moved to a pit in the substrate by the parents. Fry become free-swimming after another 5–7 days and can be fed freshly hatched baby brine shrimp. Note that many generations of captive breeding have reduced parental instincts in some strains — if parents eat their eggs, the eggs can be removed and hatched artificially with an airstone.

Angelfish are tall, laterally compressed fish that need aquarium height as much as length — a minimum of 18 inches of water depth is recommended, and 24 inches is ideal for adults. A planted aquarium with tall plants such as Amazon Swords, Vallisneria, or tall Cryptocorynes provides the cover and vertical structure this species naturally inhabits. Gentle filtration is important — strong currents stress angelfish. Keep with peaceful community fish of similar size; avoid known fin-nippers and do not keep with small fish such as neon tetras that may be eaten as adults.

Care & Ideal Parameters