Sao Gabriel Angelfish

Sao Gabriel Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare 'São Gabriel') is a wild locality form from the area around São Gabriel da Cachoeira on the upper Rio Negro in Amazonas state, Brazil — one of the most remote and biologically extraordinary regions of the Amazon basin. The upper Rio Negro is extreme blackwater, carrying some of the softest and most acidic water in the world. Angelfish from this locality are adapted to these conditions and display the wild-type silver-and-bar pattern.

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.

São Gabriel da Cachoeira is located in the upper Rio Negro near the Colombian and Venezuelan borders — the same region that produces Adolfo's Corydoras, many Apistogramma species, and other blackwater specialists. The angelfish from this extreme locality require particularly soft, acidic conditions. The blackwater habitat is characterized by very low mineral content and high tannin levels from decaying forest vegetation.

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