Rio Nanay Angelfish

Rio Nanay Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare 'Rio Nanay') is a wild locality form from the Rio Nanay — a major blackwater tributary of the Amazon near Iquitos in the Loreto region of Peru. The Nanay is one of the great blackwater rivers of the Peruvian Amazon, carrying soft, acidic, tannin-stained water. Angelfish from this locality display the classic silver-and-bar wild pattern with the deep body and long fins characteristic of wild scalare.

Feeding & Care Tip: Sera Vipan Tropical Flakes and Hikari Micro Pellets make excellent daily staples. Supplement 2–3× per week with Hikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Bloodworms or Hikari Vibra Bites. Hikari Frozen Brine Shrimp are an excellent treat for adults. Soft, slightly acidic water produces the richest wild-type coloration in this locality form.

The Rio Nanay is a legendary collection locality for many aquarium fish — it is the same river that produces the Orange Otocinclus (Nannoptopoma sp.) and various rare apistogrammas. Angelfish from the Nanay inhabit the slow-moving, vegetated margins of the river in soft, slightly acidic, tannin-stained water. In the aquarium, soft, slightly acidic conditions replicate their natural habitat and produce the most natural, wild-type appearance.

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