Angelfish
Pterophyllum scalare
Cichlidae
About
The freshwater angelfish is an iconic, laterally compressed cichlid whose tall, triangular body and trailing fins make it a living sail. Native to the slow Amazon basin among submerged roots and tall plants, it needs vertical swimming space more than floor area. Angelfish are intelligent and form hierarchies and breeding pairs; adults can be semi-aggressive, especially when spawning, and will eat very small tankmates.
Care
Provide a tall tank (45 cm+ height, 150 L+) with warm, soft-to-neutral water. Raise a group of 5-6 juveniles to let pairs form naturally; avoid tiny fish and known fin-nippers as tankmates.
Diet
Omnivore with a carnivorous lean; feed flakes, pellets and meaty frozen foods. Will hunt neon-sized fish and shrimp, so stock companions with care.
Tankmate compatibility
Gets along with (16)
Possible with care (83)
Avoid (172)
Computed by the AquaSage engine for a spacious reference tank — always check the full verdict for your exact setup in the calculator.
Full tank-mates guide with reasons →Telling males from females
What works for this species, most reliable first.
- Extended finsStrong · from about 8 months, and later in a suppressed male
On many cichlids and killifish the male's dorsal and anal fins draw out into trailing points as he matures, while the female's stay rounded.
- VentingA hint only · only on a mature fish, easiest when she is in breeding condition
The method breeders use when the answer has to be right. Hold the fish upside down in a wet hand or soft net and look at the two openings ahead of the anal fin. The forward one is the anus; the one behind it is what you are reading.
- Adult sizeA hint only · only across animals of the same age
In many cichlids, catfish and loaches one sex simply grows larger — usually the male, though there are well-known reversals.
Frequently asked questions
- What tank size does a Angelfish need?
- A Angelfish needs an aquarium of at least 150 litres (39.6 US gallons) with a footprint at least 90 cm (35.4 in) long — for this species, swimming length matters as much as raw volume.
- What water parameters does a Angelfish need?
- Angelfish does best at 24–30 °C (75.2–86 °F), pH 6–7.5 and a general hardness of 3–15 °dGH.
- What group size does a Angelfish need?
- Angelfish is a social species — keep a group of at least 6 so natural behaviour emerges and stress stays low.
- Is the Angelfish suitable for beginners?
- Angelfish sits in the middle of the difficulty scale — manageable for a careful beginner who has done the reading, but it has specific needs worth researching first.