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Care Guide

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Breeding

Sex Identification

  • Breeding tube - When an angelfish is about to spawn, you can look at the thickness and shape of its breeding tube. A female's breeding tube is thicker and more rounded at the end, while a male's is thinner and tapers to a point.


  • Crown - Male angelfish may have a more rounded area above their eyes.


  • Gonads - You can also inspect the fish's gonads, or reproductive organs, which are located near the top of its gut cavity. Mature females have orange ovaries, while males have white testes.


  • Spawning time - The most reliable way to determine the sex of an angelfish is to wait until it's time to spawn. Female angelfish are also selective about which males they mate with, and often prefer more aggressive males

Tank Mates

Angelfish are a great fish to build your community tank around. Here are some options for tank mates for your tropical community aquarium:


  • Corydoras Catfish: These bottom-dwellers are peaceful and help keep the substrate clean.


  • Gouramis: Dwarf Gourami and African Leaf Fish are semi-aggressive but can coexist with angelfish.


  • Discus: Known for its vibrant colors, Discus can be a beautiful addition to an angelfish tank.


  • Rubbernose Pleco: A good algae eater that can help maintain water quality.


  • Silver Dollar: These peaceful fish are good swimmers and can share the water column with angelfish.


  • Bristlenose Pleco: Another bottom dweller that is excellent at algae control and is generally peaceful with other fish

Health

Freshwater angelfish are relatively hardy and can be easy to maintain, but like all fish, they can encounter health issues. Here are some common health concerns to be aware of:


  • Ich (White Spot Disease): This is a parasitic infection characterized by tiny white spots on the fish’s body. It can cause discomfort and breathing difficulties.

  • Fungus: Manifests as cotton-like growths on the body, often due to poor water quality or injury.

  • Fin Rot: A bacterial infection that affects the fins and tails, often resulting from poor water conditions or injuries.

  • Hole in the Head Disease: This condition involves lesions or holes developing on the head and body.

  • Anchor Worm: A parasitic infection that can cause inflammation and secondary infections.

  • Constipation: Often caused by dietary issues, it can lead to bloating and lethargy.


Preventive measures include maintaining good water quality, providing a balanced diet, and regular monitoring for signs of illness. Early detection and treatment are crucial for the health of your angelfish. For specific treatments and more detailed information on these conditions contact us, your vet, or another professional aquarist at your local fish store.

Diet

Angelfish are omnivores. Offer a varied diet including high-quality flakes, pellets, live or frozen foods like brine shrimp, bloodworms, and daphnia.

Substrate and Décor

Sandy bottom with plenty of plants and driftwood to mimic their natural habitat.

Regular Maintenance

20-30% monthly recommended, more frequently in heavily stocked systems or whenever water parameters are outside of the acceptable ranges.

Water Parameters

  • Temperature range: 75–82°F (25–28°C)

  • pH: 6.8–7

  • dGH (hardness): 4–12 dGH

  • Nitrates: 0ppm

  • Ammonia: 0ppm

Care Level

Easy

Behavior

Generally Peaceful *

Average Adult Size

3" to 6" wide, up to 12" tall

Tank Size

Min. 29 gallons, 55+ gallons recommended

Lifespan

10 to 12 years

Price Range

$8 to $25+

Overview

Freshwater angelfish, scientifically known as Pterophyllum, are a popular choice among aquarium enthusiasts due to their unique arrowhead shape, peaceful nature, graceful, flowing fins, and general ease of care.


Native to the tropical regions of South America, they thrive in warm, soft, and slightly acidic water conditions found in slow-moving streams and floodplains. They prefer a sandy substrate, some live plants and driftwood for hiding when scared, and a light water flow.


Angelfish are omnivores and should be offered a varied diet including high-quality flakes, pellets, live or frozen foods like brine shrimp, bloodworms, and daphnia. They have small mouths even as full grown adults, so be sure to consider the foods size as well.


They are a great fish for a community tank, but can show signs of aggression during breeding. Your community tank should consist of other peaceful fish, but avoid fish that are small enough to be eaten by the Angelfish as they have been known to snack upon these smaller tank mates.


With regularly maintenance, décor offering hiding options, a balanced diet, and regular your Angelfish will surely live happy, healthy, and thriving lives!

Image of a freshwater Angelfish
Freshwater

Scientific Name

Angelfish

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