Cichlids · Pterophyllum

Angelfish

Pterophyllum scalare · Flooded forests of the Amazon basin

Photo: Rjcastillo, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare) is a freshwater fish from Flooded forests of the Amazon basin, where it lives in flooded forest habitat. Adults reach about 15 cm (5.9 in). Keep it at 24–30 °C (75–86 °F) and pH 6–7.5, in calm water. It is semi-aggressive. It eats most foods: flakes, small pellets and frozen foods.

At a glance

Water temperature

24–30 °C 75–86 °F

6–7.5 neutral water

Adult size

15 cm 5.9 in

Swims

Mid-water mostly in open water

Keep together

Fine alone

Current

Calm still or slow water

Food

Eats most foods

Temperament

Semi-aggressive

≈ Every value here is an estimate from typical hobby ranges. We're checking them against sources.

Where it comes from

Home water

Flooded forests of the Amazon basin

Lives in flooded forest habitat.

The dot marks where it's collected. Home from iNaturalist native sightings (42). Map: Natural Earth.

Angelfish

≈

Cichlids · Pterophyllum

24–30°C
pH 6–7.5
Calm
6 in
Mid
Mixed
Semi-agg.!

Predator. Eats any fish that fits in its mouth.

Angelfish

Pterophyllum scalare

Flooded forests of the Amazon basin · flooded forest

Temperature: 24–30°C
pH: 6–7.5
Adult size: 6 in · 15 cm
Flow: Calm
Swims: Mid-water
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Diet: Omnivore
Group: 1+
Typical price: $8–30

Predator. Eats any fish that fits in its mouth.

Long fins. Fin nippers will pick on it.

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Photo: Rjcastillo, CC BY 4.0

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Tank mates

Checked against a roomy 300 L planted tank with low flow and plenty of caves. Your own tank may change the answer: try it in Your tanks.

Good together

Keep apart

Small enough to be eaten

Amano shrimp Cardinal tetra Celestial pearl danio Cherry barb Cherry shrimp Chili rasbora Ember tetra
Nip fins

Black skirt tetra

In the hobby

In stock now

Not in stock at any store we track.

Tanks with this fish

Demo Mixed-up community Save the Little Fish demo · 16 fish, 4 kinds

Demo Angelfish with cardinals Save the Little Fish demo · 23 fish, 2 kinds

From keepers

Peaceful with each other, but the cardinal school keeps shrinking.
Save the Little Fish demo, keeping 3 in Angelfish with cardinals Demo

Questions keepers ask

How big does an Angelfish get?

About 15 cm (5.9 in) as an adult.

What temperature does an Angelfish need?

24–30 °C (75–86 °F).

What pH does an Angelfish need?

pH 6–7.5.

Does an Angelfish need to be kept in a group?

No. It can be kept on its own.

Is the Angelfish aggressive?

It can be. It is semi-aggressive, so choose tank mates carefully.

What does an Angelfish eat?

It eats most foods: flakes, small pellets and frozen foods.

Where does the Angelfish come from?

Flooded forests of the Amazon basin.

What fish can live with an Angelfish?

Good tank mates include Candy stripe (L015), Zebra (L046), Amano shrimp, Boeseman's rainbowfish, Bolivian ram.

All the numbers

Temperature min (°C)	24	Estimate
Temperature max (°C)	30	Estimate
pH min	6	Estimate
pH max	7.5	Estimate
Adult size (cm)	15	Estimate
Flow	Low	Estimate
Habitat	floodplain	Estimate
Smallest happy group	1	Estimate
Temperament	Semi-aggressive	Estimate
Diet	Omnivore	Estimate
Behaviour tags	eats_small_fish,long_fins	Estimate
Typical price min (CAD)	8	Estimate
Typical price max (CAD)	30	Estimate

Some values are estimates from typical hobby ranges and haven't been checked against a source yet.