Angelfish
Pterophyllum scalare · Cichlidae
Also known as Freshwater angelfish, Scalare
Intermediate
Tall Amazonian cichlid that needs height, warmth and tank mates it cannot swallow.
- Minimum tank
- 200 L
- Temperature
- 24–30 °C
- pH
- 6–7.5
- Adult size
- 15 cm
- Group size
- 1+
Will it fit your tank?
Sign in and AquaLog compares Angelfish against every tank you track — volume, water type, temperature and pH — then adds it to your livestock in one tap.
Sign in to check my tanksCare requirements
- Minimum tank volume
- 200 L
- Temperature
- 24–30 °C
- pH
- 6–7.5
- Hardness
- 3–15 dGH
- Lifespan
- 8–12 years
- Diet
- Omnivore — pellets, flake, frozen bloodworm and brine shrimp.
- Care level
- Intermediate
Origin & habitat
- Native region
- Amazon basin
- Water type
- Freshwater
- Biotope
- Slow, structure-filled backwaters
- Natural conditions
- Warm, soft, acidic water among vertical roots and stems.
Behaviour & stocking
- Temperament
- Semi-aggressive
- Minimum group
- 1 fish
- Swims
- Mid-water
- Good tank mates
- Rummynose tetraCorydorasBristlenose plecoDiscus
- Avoid
- Neon tetraGuppyTiger barbShrimp
Breeding & difficulty
- Breeding difficulty
- Intermediate
- Sexing
- Hard outside spawning; females show a blunt ovipositor.
- Notes
- Pairs form naturally and lay on vertical surfaces; they defend eggs hard.
- Common ailments
- Hexamita/hole-in-the-headIchGill flukes
