One species · 9 varieties
Angelfish
Pterophyllum scalare
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–86°F
- 24–30°C
- pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Adult size
- 5.9 in
- 15 cm
- Minimum tank
- 53 gal
- 200 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Breeding
- Substrate spawner
- Rarity
- Very common
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- South America
Pick a variety
One setup covers every line on this page: care is the species' care.
Silver angelfish
the wild pattern
Silver zebra angelfish
extra vertical bars and striped fins
Marble angelfish
black and white marbling
Koi angelfish
white with orange crown and black patches
Gold angelfish
pale gold, no bars
Platinum angelfish
uniform bright silver-white
Black lace angelfish
dark body with translucent fin edging
Blushing angelfish
bare gill covers show pink
Veil angelfish
elongated fins on any pattern
Overview
The angelfish is a tall, mostly peaceful cichlid for the middle of a large community tank. It is easy to keep if the tank has the height for it.
Did you know
Angelfish often pair off for life and work together to guard their eggs. They fan the eggs with their fins to keep water moving and pick off any that go bad. A practiced pair will spawn again and again on the same favorite leaf or slate.
Caring for the angelfish
Angelfish grow noticeably taller than they are long, so give them a tall tank of at least 53 gal (200 L). Driftwood and broad-leaved plants give them the vertical structure their bodies suit. They spend most of their time in the middle of the tank.
Keep the water warm, at 75 to 86°F (24 to 30°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Feed a varied diet of quality flakes or pellets, with frozen bloodworms and brine shrimp.
Angelfish are mostly peaceful and do fine alone or in a group, but they are still cichlids. Tiny fish such as small tetras can end up eaten, so leave them out. Avoid fin-nippers as well.
Angelfish are substrate spawners that lay their eggs on a vertical surface, such as a broad leaf or a piece of slate. A bonded pair will defend its spawning site.
Good to know
The angelfish, Pterophyllum scalare, is a cichlid in the family Cichlidae. The fish sold today are mostly tank-bred, and they come in many color and fin strains.
In the wild
Angelfish come from slow rivers and flooded forests in South America, where they often hold among tree roots and tall plants. The water there is warm and on the soft, slightly acidic side.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
Every variety on this page wants the same water, so one set of picks fits them all. These picks match on water type, temperature, pH, size and temperament.
Bolivian ram
Mikrogeophagus altispinosus
Freshwater3.1 in (8 cm) · 45 gal (170 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Blue acara
Andinoacara pulcher
Freshwater5.9 in (15 cm) · 42 gal (160 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
Peppered cory
Hoplisoma paleatum
Freshwater2.8 in (7 cm) · 21 gal (80 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Celebes halfbeak
Nomorhamphus liemi
Freshwater3.5 in (9 cm) · 40 gal (150 L)68–77°F (20–25°C)
Whiptail banjo catfish
Platystacus cotylephorus
FreshwaterBrackish12.6 in (32 cm) · 53 gal (200 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Largescale four-eyed fish
Anableps anableps
FreshwaterBrackish11.8 in (30 cm) · 70 gal (265 L)77–88°F (25–31°C)
Common questions
What size tank does an angelfish need?
An angelfish needs at least 53 gal (200 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does an angelfish need?
An angelfish is comfortable at 75–86°F (24–30°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.
What does an angelfish eat?
An angelfish eats quality flakes or pellets. Vary its diet with frozen bloodworms and brine shrimp.
How big does an angelfish get?
An adult angelfish reaches about 5.9 in (15 cm).
How does an angelfish breed?
Angelfish are substrate spawners. A bonded pair lays its eggs on a vertical surface, such as a broad leaf or slate, and defends that site.
Related species
7.1 in (18 cm)79 gal (300 L)79–90°F (26–32°C)Altum angelfish
Pterophyllum altum
7.1 in (18 cm) · 79 gal (300 L)
3.9 in (10 cm)30 gal (115 L)72–84°F (22–29°C)Roman nose angelfish
Pterophyllum leopoldi
3.9 in (10 cm) · 30 gal (115 L)
5.9 in (15 cm)79 gal (300 L)77–82°F (25–28°C)Azureus
Copadichromis azureus
5.9 in (15 cm) · 79 gal (300 L)
- 5.9 in (15 cm)42 gal (160 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
Blue acara
Andinoacara pulcher
5.9 in (15 cm) · 42 gal (160 L)
5.9 in (15 cm)79 gal (300 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)Congicus pterochromis
Pterochromis congicus
5.9 in (15 cm) · 79 gal (300 L)
5.9 in (15 cm)66 gal (250 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Deepwater coptodon
Coptodon bythobates
5.9 in (15 cm) · 66 gal (250 L)