Angelfish
Pterophyllum scalare
Min Tank Size
120L
Adult Size
15 cm
Lifespan
10 years
About
Few freshwater fish have the same visual gravity as a grown angelfish gliding through a planted tank. Native to the slow-moving rivers and floodplains of the Amazon basin, they evolved among dense vegetation and blackwater conditions, which is why they do best in soft, warm, slightly acidic water.
Adults reach about 15cm in body length but stand impressively tall thanks to their elongated dorsal and anal fins, which is exactly why a short tank won't do. You need height, at least 50cm, ideally more. 5, and soft to moderately hard water.
They're not fussy feeders. High-quality flake or pellet foods work fine as a base, but they genuinely thrive when you add frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, or daphnia into the rotation. Color varieties are extensive. Silver, marble, koi, black lace, platinum, and pinoy are among the most common, all the same species, just different selectively bred expressions.
Temperament is where newcomers get caught off guard. Juveniles seem peaceful and even shoal loosely together, but adults develop distinct personalities and can become territorial, especially when paired off for breeding. They won't typically shred fins the way tiger barbs do, but they will bully smaller or slower tankmates, and anything small enough to fit in their mouth will eventually be treated as food. A mature angelfish pair in spawning mode can turn a whole tank upside down.
They're not beginner fish despite being widely sold as such, but if you set them up correctly, they'll be the centerpiece your tank deserves.
Water Parameters
Temperature
°CpH
GH
dGHKH
dKHSwimming Level
Flow Preference
Keeping multiple Angelfish together
Angelfish is strongly territorial. Multiples fight over space unless the tank is large enough for each to claim its own area. A single individual is the safer default.
Compatibility
Good tankmates are fish that are large enough not to be eaten, fast enough to avoid harassment, and not prone to fin nipping. Rummy nose tetras, larger Congo tetras, bristlenose plecos, corydoras, and peaceful gouramis can all work well in a spacious tank. Avoid tiger barbs, serpae tetras, or any known nippers since angelfish fins are a prime target. Small tetras like neons are fine as juveniles but will likely become snacks once the angel matures. Dwarf cichlids like rams can sometimes coexist but may conflict over territory, especially near spawning time. Shrimp are not a safe bet at any size.
Commonly kept with
Species this one is most often paired withCommonly tried but avoid
Often paired, but shouldn't beCare Notes
The most common mistake is keeping angelfish in tanks that are too short or too small. They need vertical space. Another frequent issue is pairing them with known fin nippers, which causes chronic stress and fin damage that opens the door to infection. Water quality matters more than most people expect since they're sensitive to ammonia and nitrate spikes despite their hardy reputation. Juvenile angels sold in shops are often kept in cooler water than they prefer, so acclimate slowly when bringing them home. If you're keeping a group, watch closely for individuals being singled out and have a backup tank ready.
Behavior & Aggression
Angelfish aggression is mostly context-driven. Single adults in a community tank are often surprisingly calm, but pairs or groups are another story. When breeding triggers, a bonded pair will claim a large section of the tank and defend it aggressively, chasing and harassing anything that strays too close to their chosen spawning site. Juveniles raised together may sort out a hierarchy through mild chasing, but in smaller tanks, weaker individuals can be persistently bullied. The safest approach in a community setting is keeping just one or two and not attempting to breed them unless you have a dedicated tank ready.
Things to Know
- Will eat small fish (neon tetras, small rasboras) once full grown
- Pairs bond and become territorial when breeding, may terrorize tankmates
- Needs tall tanks, minimum 50cm height for body shape and comfort
- Avoid fin nippers like tiger barbs, long fins are a constant target
- Juveniles school peacefully but adults can be aggressive toward each other
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