Angelfish
Pterophyllum scalare
Family: Cichlidae • Origin: South America
Angelfish are elegant cichlids that serve as stunning centerpiece fish. Semi-aggressive and will eat anything that fits in their mouth.
Min Tank
30 gal
Max Size
6"
Temperature
76-84°F
pH
6-7.5
Lifespan
10 years
School Size
Solo OK
Swim Level
middle
Hardness
3-12 dGH
semi-aggressiveintermediateomnivore
Care Tips
- • Tall tank preferred (18"+ height)
- • Will eat neons and shrimp when adult
- • Can be territorial when paired
- • Keep water warm and clean
- • Provide vertical plants and driftwood
Feeding: Flakes, pellets, frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp. Will eat small fish.
Compatibility Notes: Will eat small fish (neons, embers) when full-grown. Avoid fin-nippers. Territorial when breeding.
Tank Setup & Water Parameters
Tank Requirements
- Minimum Tank Size
- 30 gallons
- Recommended Tank Size
- 55 gallons
- Swimming Level
- middle
Water Parameters
- Temperature
- 76–84°F
- pH Range
- 6–7.5
- Hardness (dGH)
- 3–12
- Water Type
- freshwater
Behavior & Temperament
- Temperament
- semi-aggressive
- Aggression Level
- 3/5
- Schooling
- No
- Territorial
- Yes
- Fin Nipper
- No
- Predatory
- Yes
- Diet Type
- omnivore
- Growth Rate
- moderate
Will eat small fish (neons, embers) when full-grown. Avoid fin-nippers. Territorial when breeding.
Breeding
- Breeding Type
- egg layer
- Breeding Difficulty
- moderate
- Lifespan
- 10 years
Ideal For
55 gallonplanted tankcenterpiece fish
Compatible Tank Mates
View all →
Cardinal Tetra
Paracheirodon axelrodi
73-81°FpH 4.5-6.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+2"
Rummy Nose Tetra
Hemigrammus rhodostomus
75-84°FpH 5.5-720+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+2.5"
Black Neon Tetra
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
73-81°FpH 5.5-7.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+1.6"
Black Skirt Tetra
Gymnocorymbus ternetzi
70-82°FpH 6-7.515+ gal
peacefulschooling 5+3"
Congo Tetra
Phenacogrammus interruptus
75-81°FpH 6-7.530+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+3.5"
Platy
Xiphophorus maculatus
70-80°FpH 7-810+ gal
peacefulschooling 3+3"
Similar Species
Firemouth Cichlid
Thorichthys meeki
75-82°FpH 6.5-7.540+ gal
semi-aggressive6"
Severum
Heros efasciatus
75-82°FpH 6-7.540+ gal
semi-aggressive8"
Blood Parrot Cichlid
Hybrid cichlid
76-82°FpH 6.5-7.540+ gal
semi-aggressive8"
Acei Cichlid
Pseudotropheus acei
75-82°FpH 7.5-8.540+ gal
semi-aggressiveschooling 5+6"