Caring for AngelFish is not difficult, but it does require some knowledge.
If you want to provide your fish with the best care possible, then be sure to read this comprehensive guide!
Here you will learn everything there is to know about caring for these gorgeous freshwater fish.
We’ll cover topics like feeding and breeding as well as what tank mates are appropriate for them. You don’t want to miss out on any of these great tips!
AngelFish Quick Stats
Experience Level: Beginner
Minimum Tank Size: 20 Gallon
Family: Cichlidae
Diet: Omnivore
Size: 6 Inches
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Lifespan: 10 years
Freshwater AngelFish Overview
The Freshwater Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare) is a member of the Cichlidae family. The Cichlidae family encompasses all freshwater Cichlids.
The Marine Angelfish is not to be confused with the Pomacanthidae family’s Marine Angelfish.
The Amazon River is home to a variety of fish that are among the world’s most distinct species.
In Peru, Colombia, and Guiana, they can be found in the Amazon River basin and its tributaries.
They are one of the most popular types of freshwater fish. They are beautiful and don’t require much maintenance. Other types of fish can be more aggressive, but these are not.
The fish can live up to 10 years if they are taken care of. They become full-grown at around 10 months.
Because they are so popular, you can get them at most aquarium shops and pet stores.
AngelFish Behavior
They’re like other Cichlids in that they can be aggressive. Small hierarchies will emerge and combat for control. If you capture your angels’ kissing, they’re actually battling one another.
The AngelFish will create small schools. This doesn’t make them sociable, even to those in the same school. These fish are likely to fight as they are territorial.
However, they are less aggressive than other fish. These fish do not pick on others outside of their school.
In the middle level of your tank, you might see these fish moving around between your plants. It can be hard to find them because they hide in a crowded aquarium. But they are always beautiful fish.
One of the most fascinating things about these fish is that they protect their young. They will fiercely defend their eggs and rear the newly-hatched larvae and fry for up to two months.
In the wild, they spend most of their time alone. They do not socialize outside of competitions and mating. Swimming routines and cooperative foraging should not be expected.
Freshwater AngelFish Species & Appearance
Angelfishes can reach a length of up to 6 inches and have large, fan-shaped fins that exceed 8 inches in height.
They have a head that looks like an arrow and a long fin on the top of their body. They also have a long fin on their bottom.
Freshwater Angelfish are typically silver with four broad, black bands. The bands on juvenile angelfish increase to seven, but they decrease to four as the fish grow older.
Angelfish varieties come in a variety of colors and patterns, including gold, silver, black, or mottled. Marbled Angelfish have irregular bands rather than straight black bars.
Both standard and special colors and designs are developed for aesthetic uses – some even look like Goldfish or koi!
You may see some that have no banded pattern, these are usually the Gold and Platinum Angelfish.
You can even get Panda Angelfish. These have a black pattern all over with white scales.
AngelFish Home & Tank Conditions
This species is found in the Amazon River and its tributaries. The Angelfish is found in clear waters.
These fish live in the middle and bottom levels of slow-moving rivers, lakes, canals and ponds with thick vegetation.
These are warm-water tropical fish that need water with a temperature of 75 to 82°F. Their water is frequently acidic, with little salt content.
They thrive in marshy areas with a fine sandy under-layer and plenty of aquatic vegetation to hide.
Aquarium Setup
Between 75 and 82°F is ideal for this Cichlid tank. The pH should be between 6.8 and 7.
Cichlids enjoy digging, so any substrate you use should be soft and fine. They’ll thank you for it! This will keep their scales and fins safe from injuries. The perfect substrate for them is fine sand/mud.
Freshwater Angelfish are adapted to low flows, so no high-powered current is required. Low flow aeration or an under-gravel filter would be sufficient.
The tank will require exposure to at least 8, but ideally 12 hours of light per day. Any aquarium light that can replicate the sun is fine.
You may imitate your Angel’s tropical swampland with plants from the Amazon River to create a tiny marsh that reflects it.
Use floating species sparingly, if at all. Duckweed and pondweed are two examples of plants that should be avoided.
What Size Tank Is Best For Freshwater AngelFish?
A 20 gallon tank would be a good size for the Angelfish.
The ideal aquarium should have at least 30 gallons of water. This will provide enough space, since they’re typically active swimmers and need plenty of room to move about!
If you want a school then you need a 80 gallon. The best way to work it out is 10 gallons per freshwater Angelfish you have.
Freshwater AngelFish Tank Mates
This fish is a biodiversity hotspot, calling home the Amazon River basin. These fish may be found in vast swaths of rainforest in the wild, alongside thousands of distinct fish species.
Other species of Freshwater Angelfish and Cichlids, such as Oscars, Discus, and Banded Cichlids, dominate the sluggish rivers and marshes of the Amazon.
They’re typically found in community tanks with Characins, tiny freshwater Catfish, and the Amazon River’s other notorious species such as the Silver Arowana and Arapaima.
Although they come from a location known for its species abundance, choosing suitable tankmates for these little guys might be difficult.
Keep Angelfish with other Cichlids, such as the discus, dwarf cichlid, and Bolivian ram. These species will not be intimidated by your Angelfish.
Some catfish, on the other hand, may be kept in a community tank with Jack Dempseys. While they may be incredibly pushy, some catfish are known to get along with them.
Small freshwater Catfish, particularly plecos and pictus, make excellent companions for your Angels. Mollies and dwarf gouramis are also great options outside of the Cichlidae family.
There aren’t many decent non-fish buddies for these cichlids. Invertebrates, particularly crustaceans, may be harassed or preyed on.
Keeping South American and African cichlids together is not a good idea. These fish come from different areas of the globe, and their needs for habitat and water conditions are very different.
Angelfish should not be mixed together unless they are of the same species, since they will compete aggressively for territory and resources.
Do not keep any of the more aggressive Cichlids, such as Oscars and Convicts, with these fish.
Due to their bad reputation as “fin-nippers,” Barbs should be avoided. These pushy fish will harass your Freshwater Angelfish and nip at their trailing fins.
Caring For Your AngelFish
Angelfish are susceptible to parasitic nematodes, which can be fatal. These nematodes infect other fish in your aquarium and can be deadly if not treated.
It’s possible for fish to get infected when they eat nematode eggs or larvae, which may be found on unclean food and in filthy tanks.
If eaten, the larvae cause a three-month infection before the worm completes its life cycle. The worm will take nourishment from its host and over time the fish will appear to be sick.
Inflammation, cysts, or bleeding can all be signs of infection. If you notice any of these symptoms in your fish, it’s critical to get them out of the tank as soon as possible.
A dewormer may be used by a veterinarian who specializes in aquarium fish to treat the parasite.
Another parasite that affects Cichlids is Hexamita. It’s brought on by a protozoan that infiltrates the fish’s intestines and gallbladder.
The symptoms of a Hexamita infection are as follows:
- weight loss
- sluggishness
- paleness
- discoloration
It can be treated with medicine prescribed by a fish veterinarian.
To avoid parasitic infections, clean your tank at least once a fortnight, or more if necessary.
When preparing food for your fish, be sure to thoroughly examine it. Never give them wild-caught meats.
To ensure that your community tank’s new fish are healthy, they should be held in quarantine for 2 to 4 weeks.
AngelFish Diet – What Do They Eat?
The majority of an angelfish’s diet is made up of live prey, although they are omnivores. They eat insects, larvae, crustaceans, rotifers, and even smaller fish in the wild.
They need a protein-rich and fiber-rich diet, and they avoid eating lots of plant matter or algae.
They should get the bulk of their nourishment from live prey in the aquarium, just as they would in nature.
These fish require Tubifex worms as a source of food in the aquarium. They fulfill the required protein content that they would obtain from wild rotifers.
If you have a pond or aquarium, you may give them live water fleas and brine shrimp. Outside of living prey, they may be fed flake or pellet foods that are high in protein.
Angelfish enjoy the freeze-dried glass worms and krill, which provide a little extra protein and satisfy their hunger.
These are enormous feeders that require two feedings a day at least. Even more, individuals who wish to breed pairs must be fed, up to four times per day.
They should be fed with a high-quality hydroponic grow food or granules. They won’t eat aquarium plants or algae, but adding a bit of plant food to their diet will assist guarantee that they get the fiber they require.
Cooked garden veggies, including romaine lettuce, zucchini, and spinach may be added to their diets.
Before giving your fish the vegetables, they should be lightly blanched.
Breeding Freshwater AngelFish
Another advantage of these fish is that they are quite simple to breed!
Freshwater Angelfish will pair up naturally when brought to a school. They’ll set aside space for themselves and hook up after they’re paired.
When you find that your fish are paired off, it’s time to prepare them for reproduction.
Use a 20-gallon tank with a low flow filter and a vertical, slanted surface to create an ideal breeding environment. Large live rock caves are excellent for spawning; they can provide easy access, ample hiding places, and protection from currents. Tiles, PVC pipes, and Anacharis are all good choices for spawning surfaces.
3 or 4 times a day, provide your breeding pair with high-protein flakes and live tubifex worms. The temperature in the breeding tank should be kept at 82°F.
She’s getting ready to lay her eggs if you see your female spending a lot of time near the spawning area. She lays between 200 and 400 eggs per spawning, with the male fertilizing them externally.
The eggs will be raised for approximately a month before the fry may be removed and placed in a 15-20 gallon rearing tank.
Once your fry are 5 to 7 weeks old, they can be reared on brine shrimp eggs with hardboiled eggs. They can then be fed flakes and dried rations once they reach adulthood.
Your Freshwater Angelfish should be ready to graduate to an adult tank after 6 to 8 weeks in the rearing tank.
Should You Add AngelFish To Your Aquarium?
The ‘King of the Aquarium,’ with its breathtaking appeal, is easy to understand why he is so popular.
These fish will look great in a freshwater tank. They come in many colors and types, so they’ll match any aquarium.
If you want to keep a few of these stunning creatures, it helps if you have experience with tropical freshwater fish.
They are much easier to keep than the other more difficult Cichlids, making them a good choice for novices.
If you’re looking for a fish that combines the grace and majesty of an Angelfish with the charm of a freshwater aquarium, the Freshwater Angelfish might be the best option.
FAQ
What are the best freshwater plants for Angelfish?
Hornwort is one of the best plants for the Angelfish.
The plant provides a good location for them to hide and can be used in a variety of decorating styles.
They don’t require much maintenance and will grow quickly, giving your Angelfish plenty of room to explore.
-How often should you feed your Angelfish?
You should feed it 2-3 times a day with high protein flakes or pellets that are similar to their natural food sources. You’ll also want to make sure that they have plenty of live prey from around the tank as well as frozen brine shrimp.
– Can I keep AngelFish with tetras in a community tank?
There are many different types of Angel Fish, some of which are more aggressive than others. Many tetras are listed as being peaceful, so you might have luck with some if you can identify which type of Angel Fish is in your community tank.
– Can I keep AngelFish with other freshwater fish?
Angelfish are usually fairly easy to care for but they do require quite a bit of space, therefore it may be best to only keep them with other large tropical fish. You should also avoid keeping them with other angelfish unless they’re at least the same size or larger.
Final Thoughts
In this article, we have covered the basics of caring for Freshwater Angelfish. We’ve also given you a comprehensive guide to breeding and feeding these beautiful fish. If you’re considering adding one or more of these stunning creatures to your aquarium, make sure that you educate yourself about their needs beforehand so they can grow up healthy and happy!
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