Freshwater Angelfish Care: Breeding, Diet, Tank Setup & Expert Tips

Introduction and short history

Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare) are popular tropical freshwater aquarium fish that are a joy to care for and are also known as one of the most beautiful freshwater species. These fish often notice what’s happening outside their tank and may react to hands in the water or people nearby. Each Angelfish has its own unique personality. Originally from South America, Angelfish were first brought to Europe around 1820 and bred in captivity for the first time in 1930 in the United States. Angelfish are widely available in pet stores, but many aquarists still make common mistakes due to lack of knowledge, compatibility issues, or misinformation. Let’s go over how to care for them correctly.

Habitat

In their natural environment, Angelfish are found in the Amazon River in South America. They prefer areas with bulrushes for shelter and live in large groups. Although they thrive in shoals, Angelfish can swim freely, especially in aquariums. Ideally, 6-7 Angelfish should be kept together, but if your tank isn’t 400 liters (105 US gallons, 88 Imperial gallons), keeping 2 or 3 in a community or species-specific tank is fine. The Amazon is full of vegetation that Angelfish use for hiding, so adding live plants like Alternanthera rosaefolia, Echinodorus amazonicus, and Vallisneria spiralis can mimic their natural habitat. Avoid keeping Angelfish with predators that could harm them (more details are in the “Tank mates” section). In the wild, their flat bodies help them quickly hide among plants when predators are near.

Fish Tank Setup and Care

Key parameters: The ideal pH for Angelfish is between 6.0 and 7.0, with a temperature around 25°C (77°F). The recommended general water hardness is 4-12°N dGH (71.43 - 214.29 ppm, 1.43 - 4.29 mEq). These values should remain stable - pH should not fluctuate, and changes in water hardness should not exceed 1°N dGH (17.86 ppm, 0.36 mEq) per week. High temperatures can lead to premature death, so careful monitoring is essential.

As previously mentioned, Angelfish require a spacious tank, ideally 40 liters (10.5 US gallons, 8.8 Imperial gallons) per fish due to their large and tall body structure. Providing less space is not advisable, as adult males can become territorial, especially when females are present. Additionally, this species swims vertically, and inadequate tank height (less than 40 cm or 15.74 inches) can lead to fin degeneration. In some cases, Angelfish have even stopped growing in cramped tanks. The tank should be at least 50 cm (19.68 inches) tall to allow for substrate space and a gap between the water surface and the lid. A tank this height offers approximately 40 cm (15.74 inches) for vertical swimming, which is crucial when planning your aquarium! A lid is essential since Angelfish, although not frequent jumpers, can leap out through even a small gap of 2.5 cm (1 inch). Remember, Angelfish can be highly territorial, and they tend to coexist better in larger groups rather than in smaller groups of just 2 or 3.

As noted earlier, plants play a vital role in keeping your Angelfish content. Plants not only enhance water quality and oxygenation but also serve as ideal sites for laying eggs - particularly broad-leafed varieties. They help break down debris, reduce algae growth, and provide essential hiding spots for fry. Without adequate shelter, newborns become easy prey! Amazon sword plants (Echinodorus) are particularly recommended for Angelfish tanks.

While 40 liters (10.5 US gallons, 8.8 Imperial gallons) per Angelfish is suitable for general community tanks, breeding tanks should be larger. This is because newborn fry produce more waste, uneaten food accumulates, and filtration in breeding setups is typically less powerful. The recommended filter for breeding tanks is a sponge filter, which, while effective, does not match the water quality provided by external canister or HOB filters.

In summary: An Angelfish tank should hold at least 100 liters (26 US gallons, 22 Imperial gallons). For a group of 6 Angelfish, a 400-liter tank (105 US gallons, 88 UK gallons) is ideal.

Food and Feeding

Angelfish generally prefer flakes over granules or pellets, but their diet should be varied to ensure balanced nutrition. Include a mix of foods like frozen (and ideally live) larvae, worms, and insects. Remember to thaw frozen food before feeding it to your fish. Brine shrimp and Daphnia are also favorites of these cichlids, and they won’t hesitate to eat fry of Guppies, Swordtails, or Mollies if kept together. Offering dried foods is fine, but avoid relying solely on them as they may contain lower levels of protein and essential nutrients. It’s well-known that dried foods have less protein than raw or frozen worms and larvae, so ensure juveniles receive a high-protein diet. High-protein feeding is also key when breeding Angelfish, as it increases egg production and boosts reproductive frequency (the exact number of eggs and breeding intervals also depend on temperature, which is discussed further in the Breeding section).

Angelfish are not particularly messy eaters. They typically eat small amounts and should be fed once or twice daily. While their stomachs are sufficiently large to hold enough food, adult Angelfish can manage up to 2 weeks without food. However, it’s best not to let them go without eating for more than a week. Juvenile Angelfish, on the other hand, need to be fed two or three times a day to support their growth and health. A portion that can be consumed in 4-5 minutes will generally sustain them for a full day.

Video - Feeding Angelfish frozen black mosquito larvae

Feel free to download our video showing how Angelfish go after black mosquito larvae: download by clicking here (approximately 55 MB).

Suitable tankmates

Angelfish are good tank mates for many tetras, some of the most suitable ones are as follows:

• Black skirt tetra - Gymnocorymbus ternetzi
• Silver tipped tetra - Hasemania nana
• Blue tetra - Boehlkea fredcochui
• Red eyed characin - Arnoldichthys spilopterus
• Splashing tetra - Copella arnoldi
• Bloodfin tetra - Aphyocharax alburnus
• False rummynose tetra - Petitella georgiae
• Glass bloodfish - Prionobrama filigera
• Green fire tetra - Aphyocharax rathbuni

However there are other species that get along with Angelfish, feel free to consider any of these:

• Corydoras Paleatus
• Corydoras Nanus
• Corydoras Panda
• Corydoras Elegans and other Corydoras
• Discus
• Bushynose pleco - Ancistrus temminckii
• Butterfly pleco - Dekeyseria brachyura
• Bristlenose pleco - Ancistrus triradiatus
• Bristlenose catfish

Avoid keeping Guppies and Neon Tetras with Angelfish as Angelfish will prey on them. In their natural habitat, Neon Tetras are part of the Angelfish diet, and Guppies are known for fin-nipping, which Angelfish won’t tolerate and may retaliate against. Peaceful fish from the South American rivers make suitable tank mates, provided they are too large to fit into an Angelfish’s mouth.

When introducing new Angelfish into an aquarium with existing Angelfish, do so after feeding time and ideally when the lights are off.

Breeding

Most Angelfish reach sexual maturity at around 10-12 months of age. At this point, females typically lay eggs for the first time and can continue to lay eggs approximately once a month. However, this is not a strict rule, as females may need breaks after breeding continuously for 3-4 months. Females can lay eggs even in the absence of a male, which helps prevent them from becoming egg-bound. Since determining the sex of Angelfish is challenging (though males are generally larger than females), the fish usually form pairs naturally.

To trigger spawning, consider the following:

• Offer live or frozen larvae, small insects (like flies), and worms to your Angelfish.
• Increase the water temperature to 28°C or 29°C (82°F-84°F).
• Include plants with large leaves in the breeding tank.
• Reduce the water flow.
• Isolate the breeding pair from other fish.

Angelfish begin to spawn when the genital papillae appear; these organs are responsible for egg deposition and fertilization. The area where eggs will be laid is cleaned 2-3 days before spawning. During reproduction, the female will lay eggs on a chosen surface - such as a plant, rock, or even a filter - while the male fertilizes them. Unfertilized eggs will turn white and are usually removed by the parents. It's common for young or first-time breeding pairs to eat the eggs, but this behavior typically stops as they gain experience. If egg-eating continues, check that the fish are not stressed.

Juveniles should hatch within 3-5 days. For the first few days (up to 5), they will absorb their egg sac and do not require feeding. After this period, start feeding them Artemia salina, Daphnia, or microworms. Feed the newborns four times a day until they are 3-4 weeks old. Once the Angelfish reach 3 cm (1.18 inches) in length, you can start offering Guppy fry, especially if you are raising your own feeder fish. Be cautious when buying feeder fish from stores, as they may carry parasites. Remember to provide a varied diet for the juveniles!

Common Diseases

Freshwater Angelfish are susceptible to several common diseases, including:

• Exophthalmia (Pop-Eye): Symptoms include swollen eyes, bloody or black spots, body sores, and loss of fins. The disease may cause the fish to appear as though they have tumors. Causes include poor water quality, infections from internal parasites or bacteria, and worm cataracts that result in cloudy eyes.
• Ichthyophthirius (Ich or White Spot Disease): This is caused by a parasitic infection. Contributing factors include poor maintenance, high ammonia levels, stress, inadequate acclimatization, and the introduction of non-quarantined fish.
• Hunger Strike: This condition is characterized by a loss of appetite and can indicate various issues including stress or disease.

For more detailed information on these and other common freshwater fish diseases, please visit our comprehensive article: Aquarium Fish Diseases and Treatments.

Body Varieties

Angelfish come in various beautiful varieties, each with its own unique coloration and pattern:

• Golden: These Angelfish have a light yellowish body, showcasing a soft tone of gold.
• Silver: Characterized by silver bodies with black vertical stripes. They can range from dark to light shades, or be solid silver.
• Koi: Recognizable by their red and white bodies with black and gold markings. Young Koi Angelfish often have red markings beneath their eyes.
• Smoky: Features a half-silver body with a contrasting dark grey or ebony hue on the other half.
• Pearly Gold: This variety displays a striking golden color that shines brilliantly.
• Black: These Angelfish are a deep, solid ebony color.
• Black Lace: Black bodies with wide, light to dark stripes create a lacy appearance.
• Zebra: Notable for their black bodies adorned with white stripes.
• Marble: Features a marbled pattern of silver and black with occasional black markings on the fins and golden patterns on their heads.
• Blushing: Heads of this variety have golden markings with a white base color. Juvenile fish may have red markings beneath their eyes.
• Blue Blushing: These Angelfish are grey with black outlines. They may display red markings under their eyes and can shift between dark and light shades based on their mood.
• Veiltail: Known for their elongated fins, Veiltail Angelfish come in a variety of colors.

Essential Information About Angelfish

This section provides crucial information that every Angelfish owner should know:

• Lifespan of Angelfish: With proper care, Angelfish can live for 8-9 years. Fish that aren't well maintained may only live less than 4 years.
• Growth Rate of Angelfish: Their growth rate depends on diet. Typically, Angelfish grow about 0.5-1 cm (0.2-0.4 inch) per month until they are 6-8 months old, after which growth slows. Adult Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare) can reach 12-15 cm (4.7 – 5.9 inch) in length, with males generally larger than females. They reach full size between 12 and 18 months.
• Angelfish produce minimal waste, so their tanks require less frequent maintenance. However, in a community tank with high waste producers like Guppies, Swordtails, or Mollies, maintenance needs increase. It’s ideal to test the water for pH, ammonia, nitrates, nitrites, and carbonate hardness once a week. Cleaning involves using a gravel vacuum cleaner and replenishing the tank with chlorine-free water afterward.
• Once again, Angelfish should be kept in large tanks, here’s a quick guide on recommended volumes:

  Liters / US Gallons / Imperial Gallons	Number of Angels
  50 / 13 / 11	1
  100 / 26 / 22	2
  150 / 39 / 33	3-4
  200 / 53 / 44	4-5
  250 / 66 / 55	4-6
  300 / 79 / 66	4-7
  350 / 92 / 77	5-8
  400 /105 / 88	6

  The height of the tank should be at least 40 cm (15.74 inches), with an ideal range between 50 and 70 cm (19.68 to 27.55 inches). It is important to include plants in the Angelfish tank. Additionally, avoid having more males than females, as males can be aggressive when competing for females. The ideal ratio is 1 male to 2 females.

Pictures of Angelfish

Thanks to Lorna Marie Kemble for the picture (a link to website has been removed on 6 March because the domain changed owner and content).

Thanks to Tamri Shavi too!

Additional Questions and Answers

On March 16^th, 2011, we updated this article and incorporated questions from aqua-fish.net/answers. This page already includes a wealth of comments, questions, and answers, so the questions listed below may have already been addressed. If you can't find the answer to your question here, please use the form at the bottom of the page to ask us directly!

• What should I do if my angelfish eggs have turned white?

  Answer: White eggs indicate they may be unfertilized or have developed a fungal infection. Lowering the filter flow can help the male fertilize the eggs. Adding methylene blue can help prevent fungal infections.

• Why is my angelfish's color fading and why are there "holes" on its skin?

  Answer: Fading color and "holes" suggest a fungal infection. Move the affected fish to a quarantine tank immediately, as fungal infections can spread to other fish. Treat the fish with a commercial fungicide to address the issue.

• What pH level do angelfish prefer?

  Answer: Angelfish thrive in a pH range of 6 to 7. According to this page: link, they can also be kept in waters with a pH of 5.3 to 7.6.

• Where can I buy saltwater angelfish online?

  Answer: As of October 5, 2008, saltwater angelfish were available for purchase at www.liveaquaria.com for $26 to $580 USD, depending on the species.

• Where can I buy freshwater angelfish online?

  Answer: As of October 5, 2008, freshwater angelfish were available at www.liveaquaria.com offers them for $5 to $30 USD, depending on the species.

• How big are angelfish when they are ready to breed?

  Answer: Angelfish typically become ready to breed at 10 to 12 months of age. They are usually about 3 inches (7.62 cm) in diameter at this stage, though size may vary slightly.

Selling Angelfish

Once you’ve successfully bred Angelfish, you might end up with a batch of anywhere from 10 to 100 fish. Some successful breeders can produce up to 1,000 or even 1,500 eggs, though this is relatively rare. Since it's impractical to keep all the fish, consider selling or donating them. The ideal size for selling is 2-3 cm (approximately 0.8 – 1.2 inches). At this size, the mortality rate is generally below 5%. To minimize mortality, use Artemia salina as the primary food for the hatchlings. Ensure buyers are aware that their new fish will grow larger than their current size.

Adult Angelfish can typically be sold for $30-$40 USD, while juvenile specimens usually range from $0.50 to $1.00 USD, depending on geographic location and availability in pet stores. It’s often helpful to show the breeding pair to potential buyers, as customers frequently want to see how their new fish will look when fully grown.

Picture

Other useful webpages devoted to Angelfish

This page was created in order to give you a good insight on raising and breeding Angelfish, however the below-shown comments are worth reading too. There are some interesting and useful websites too, you're welcome to visit them! Angelfish @ fins.actwin.com, Angelfish - Common @ animal-world.com, Angelfish - Pterophyllum scalare @ fishlore.com. If any of these links doesn't work, let us know, please.