Freshwater angelfish
Pterophyllum scalare
Parameter dashboard
24-30 °C
6-7.5
15 cm
10 years
Care guide
The freshwater angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare) is a tall, discus-shaped cichlid from the slow-moving, densely vegetated backwaters and floodplains of the Amazon basin in South America. Unlike most cichlids, angelfish are relatively peaceful, though they become territorial during spawning. Their deep, laterally compressed bodies and long, trailing fins make them one of the most recognisable aquarium fish, with domesticated strains available in silver, koi, marble, veil, and many other colour morphs.
Despite reaching up to 15 cm in body length and 20 cm or more in height, angelfish are not aggressive beyond typical cichlid territoriality. A tall aquarium of at least 200 litres is essential to accommodate their vertical fin span, along with tall-leaved plants such as Amazon swords and Valisneria, driftwood, and dim to moderate lighting. They prefer soft, slightly acidic water and are sensitive to nitrate buildup and rapid parameter swings.
Angelfish are omnivorous and thrive on a varied diet of high-quality flakes or cichlid pellets supplemented with live or frozen foods such as bloodworm, brine shrimp, and daphnia. Juveniles can be kept in groups and will pair off naturally; mated pairs should be given a broad-leafed plant or spawning slate on which to lay their eggs. They are excellent parents and will guard the eggs and fry for several days.
Good tankmates include peaceful medium-to-large characins, corydoras, dwarf cichlids, and similarly sized community fish. Avoid fin-nippers such as tiger barbs and very small fish that may be eaten.
Sources
- seriouslyfish.com — https://www.seriouslyfish.com/species/pterophyllum-scalare
- fishbase.de — https://www.fishbase.de/summary/Pterophyllum-scalare.html
Further reading on identification and aquarium care.
Tankmate compatibility (sample)
Pairwise screening against other species in the database (prioritizing the same family when data is available).
Review first (12)
Caution or avoid from automated rules — confirm before mixing.
| Species | Assessment | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Biajaca Nandopsis tetracanthus Caution | Caution | Multiple territorial species in the same swim layer cause stress · close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space Open pair in Compare → |
| Bolivian Ram Mikrogeophagus altispinosus Caution | Caution | Multiple territorial species in the same swim layer cause stress · close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space Open pair in Compare → |
| Chessboard cichlid Dicrossus filamentosus Caution | Caution | close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space Open pair in Compare → |
| Gold severum Heros efasciatus Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · Multiple territorial species in the same swim layer cause stress · close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space Open pair in Compare → |
| Hump-head Cyrtocara moorii Caution | Caution | Species with non-overlapping pH ranges may not thrive together · close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space Open pair in Compare → |
| Leleupi Cichlid Neolamprologus leleupi Caution | Caution | Multiple territorial species in the same swim layer cause stress · Species with non-overlapping pH ranges may not thrive together · close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space Open pair in Compare → |
| Livingstonii Cichlid Nimbochromis livingstonii Caution | Caution | Multiple territorial species in the same swim layer cause stress · Species with non-overlapping pH ranges may not thrive together · close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space Open pair in Compare → |
| Oscar Astronotus ocellatus Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · Multiple territorial species in the same swim layer cause stress · close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space Open pair in Compare → |
| Umbrella cichlid Apistogramma borellii Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space Open pair in Compare → |
| Convict cichlid Amatitlania nigrofasciata Avoid | Avoid | Fin nippers should not be kept with long-finned species · close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space Open pair in Compare → |
| Green terror Andinoacara rivulatus Avoid | Avoid | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · Multiple territorial species in the same swim layer cause stress · Species with non-overlapping temperature ranges cannot coexist · the two share only a narrow band of temperature, so one of them sits at the edge of its range · close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space Open pair in Compare → |
| Yellow belly cichlid Cichlasoma salvini Avoid | Avoid | Fin nippers should not be kept with long-finned species · Multiple territorial species in the same swim layer cause stress · close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space Open pair in Compare → |
Same rule engine as Compare. Not a substitute for observation, tank size, or acclimation.
Related species
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