Bulgarian Golden Base Marble Angelfish

Bulgarian Golden Base Marble Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare) is an unusual and attractive combination — the irregular swirling marble pattern overlaid on a warm golden-yellow base rather than the typical silver or white. The gold base warms the entire marble pattern, turning the pale areas from silver-white to amber-gold while the dark marble markings remain. The Bulgarian Green gene adds a subtle green iridescence to the fin edges. The Bulgarian Green gene (abbreviated bg) is a relatively new recessive mutation discovered by Bulgarian breeder Raiko Slavkov around 2011 and first imported to the US in 2014. It produces a distinctive pale to platinum body with a subtle green iridescence and — most spectacularly — turns the dorsal and anal fins a vivid emerald green. When combined with the Dark gene, it produces the dramatic Bulgarian Seal Point phenotype with high-contrast dark fins against a pale green-tinted body.

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.

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.

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