Orinoco Altum Angelfish

Orinoco Altum Angelfish (Pterophyllum altum) is a wild locality form of the true Altum Angel specifically from the upper Orinoco River drainage in Venezuela. The 'Orinoco' designation indicates confirmed collection locality — meaningful to collectors who track the geographic provenance of their fish. The Altum Angel is the largest and most spectacular of the three Pterophyllum species. When fully grown, including the dramatic dorsal and anal fin extensions, an adult Altum can reach 18 inches or more in height — a genuinely towering fish that dwarfs all other angelfish and creates an absolutely breathtaking display in a suitably large aquarium. The wild-type coloration is silver with bold reddish-brown bars and red streaking in the fins, giving the fish a warm, richly colored appearance very different from captive scalare.

Feeding & Care Tip: Altum Angelfish benefit greatly from a varied diet heavy in frozen and live foods. Supplement Sera Vipan Tropical Flakes and Hikari Micro Pellets generously with Hikari Frozen Bloodworms, Hikari Vibra Bites, and Hikari Frozen Brine Shrimp. Newly arrived altums may be reluctant to accept dry foods initially — offer frozen foods first to establish feeding, then gradually introduce dry staples.

The upper Orinoco drainage is the type locality for Pterophyllum altum — the river system where the species was first formally described. The water here is extraordinarily soft and acidic, with virtually no dissolved minerals. Wild Orinoco altums inhabit areas with submerged tree roots, overhanging vegetation, and very slow current. The confirmed Orinoco locality designation is important to collectors maintaining pure locality lines.

Altum Angelfish are more challenging to breed than scalare and have more demanding requirements. Pairs form strong bonds and require pristine, very soft acidic water to spawn successfully. Wild-caught altums can be particularly reluctant to breed in captivity without a conditioning period of excellent food and very stable soft acidic water. When spawning does occur, biparental care is attentive — flat vertical surfaces or broad leaves make preferred spawning sites.

Altum Angelfish require a substantially larger and taller aquarium than scalare — a minimum of 30 inches of water depth for adult altums, as they can reach 18 inches or more in height including fins. Pristine water quality with very low nitrates is essential. Soft, acidic water — ideally filtered through peat or using RO water — is important not just for color but for long-term health. Gentle filtration, heavy planting, dim lighting, and tannin additions from driftwood and leaf litter replicate the blackwater habitat of the upper Orinoco. Altums are sensitive to stress and shipping — allow adequate settling time after arrival before attempting to feed.

Care & Ideal Parameters