All species
fishintermediate
Angelfish
Pterophyllum scalare
An elegant, tall-bodied cichlid that's peaceful until breeding — then territorial. Needs height, warmth, and calm tank mates.
6 in body · 8+ in tall8–10 years
Habitat
Enclosure
20 gal tall for juveniles · 29+ gal for a pair
Temperature
76–82°F
Humidity / Water
Freshwater · pH 6.5–7.5
Heating & lighting
Reliable heater, gentle filter flow, and tall plants or broad-leafed surfaces to spawn on. Stable water matters more than perfect numbers.
Diet
Feed these
- Quality flake and pellet food
- Frozen bloodworms
- Brine shrimp
Never feed
- Feeder fish (disease)
- A dry-food-only diet long term
- Small shrimp — they're food, not pets
Feed twice a day in small amounts. Adults get territorial when spawning — expect chasing near a chosen leaf.
Cohabitation
Can live with
Rummynose tetras Corydoras catfish Bristlenose plecos Other angelfish — mated pairs
Never house with
Neon tetras — eaten once the angelfish grows Betta — mutual fin-nipping Oscar — far too aggressive Cherry shrimp — eaten
Semi-aggressive with age, especially in breeding pairs. Keep them with fish too big to swallow and too calm to nip their fins.
