Freshwater angelfish are cichlids that originate around the Amazon River basin with a striking, compressed body shape and long extended dorsal and anal fins. The fish are often taller than they are long. There are three recognized species, all belonging to the genus Pterophyllum.

For aquarium breeding, the angelfish is a bad parent compared to many other cichlids, and quite often eats its young. The eggs are deposited on a bare rock, root or large leaf of some water plant, and the young are cared for by both parents.

Angelfish inhabit slow waters in the Amazon region. Its shape allows it good protection among roots and plants, often on a vertical surface. It eats small invertebrates and is no danger to most other fish in an aquarium, except that it will sometimes try to eat small baby fish.

Due to its peaceful temperament and appearance, it is one of the few cichlids that are commonly kept in decorative tanks or public displays with smaller types of fish.

P. scalare

The largest and best known species of Angelfish is Pterophyllum scalare. Its natural color is silvery with three brownish vertical stripes. It is very peaceful and a popular aquarium fish. Numerous decorative breeds exist, with varying color patterns and extended fins. These Angelfish inhabit swamps and flooded waters with dense vegetation. Its maximum size is around 12–15 cm (up to 6 inches) length, up to 20 cm (8 in.) height. These Angelfish prefer water with a 6.0–8.0 pH, a water hardness of 5.0–13.0 dGH, and a temperature range of 24–30°C (75–86°F).

Marble Angelfish - P. scalare

P. altum

The Pterophyllum altum Angelfish species originates from rivers in the Amazon River basin where the upper Negro River drains, and from the Orinoco River basin. Its natural color is also silvery with three brownish vertical stripes. Some of the largest Angelfish are of this species, growing up to 18 cm (7 in) long and 20 cm (8 in) tall. These Angelfish prefer water with a 4.8–6.2 pH, a water hardness of 1.0–5.0 dGH, and a temperature range of 27–31°C (81–88°F).

P. leopoldi

The Pterophyllum altum is a river dwelling Angelfish species that originates from rivers in the Amazon River basin along the Solimões River, Amazon River, and Rupununi River.

Sketch of P. scalare from an 1866 expedition.

See also

• List of freshwater aquarium fish species

References

• "Pterophyllum" (TSN 169844) (http://www.itis.usda.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=169844). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. N.p.: Integrated Taxonomic Information System, 2004. Accessed on May 11, 2004.
• "Pterophyllum altum (http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.cfm?ID=47075)". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. April 2004 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2004.
• "Pterophyllum leopoldi (http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.cfm?ID=47076)". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. April 2004 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2004.
• "Pterophyllum scalare (http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.cfm?ID=4717)". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. April 2004 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2004.