TankBud

Roman nose angelfish

Pterophyllum leopoldi

Also known as Long Nose Angelfish

FreshwaterFish

Roman nose angelfish (Pterophyllum leopoldi)
The original uploader was Hodowlaniec at Polish Wikipedia. · CC BY-SA 3.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–84°F
22–29°C
pH
6.0–7.2
Adult size
3.9 in
10 cm
Minimum tank
30 gal
115 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Shoaling
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Substrate spawner
Rarity
Rare
Family
Cichlidae
Origin
Brazil, Guyana

Overview

The Roman nose angelfish is the smallest of the wild angelfish, a mostly peaceful cichlid for a community tank. It suits a keeper with some experience.

Did you know

The Roman nose angelfish has a smooth, straight forehead with no notch or dip above the eye, unlike the common angelfish. That nose line is the source of its name.

Caring for the Roman nose angelfish

Give a small group of Roman nose angelfish at least 30 gal (115 L), since they appreciate height. Tall plants, vertical driftwood and some floating cover suit their deep bodies and break up sight lines. Add leaf litter and keep the filtration gentle, which helps them relax enough to show their silver and black barring.

Keep the water soft to neutral, at 72 to 84°F (22 to 29°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.2. Feed a varied diet of flake or micro pellets with frozen and live foods, such as bloodworms and brine shrimp.

Keep Roman nose angelfish in a school of six or more. A group spreads out the squabbling between individuals, especially as pairs form, and lets the fish settle into a natural order.

It is regarded as the feistiest of the wild angelfish, but it is generally peaceful in a community. It leaves most tank mates alone, though very small fish and shrimp may be eaten. Pair it with mid-sized tetras, rasboras and peaceful catfish.

Like other angelfish, it is an open spawner. It lays rows of eggs on a cleaned vertical surface, such as a leaf or a piece of wood. Both parents guard the eggs and fry.

Good to know

Pterophyllum leopoldi is a member of the cichlid family, Cichlidae, and one of three wild angelfish species. A dark blotch where the dorsal fin meets the body also tells it apart from the common angelfish. It also goes by the name long nose angelfish.

In the wild

The Roman nose angelfish comes from the Amazon in Brazil and from the Guyana region. It lives among submerged wood, roots and plants in slow, warm, softly acidic water. Its home waters are shaded, tannin-tinted backwaters.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The Roman nose angelfish is a mostly peaceful, shoaling species that keeps to the middle. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a Roman nose angelfish need?

A Roman nose angelfish needs at least 30 gal (115 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a Roman nose angelfish need?

A Roman nose angelfish is comfortable at 72–84°F (22–29°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.2.

What does a Roman nose angelfish eat?

A Roman nose angelfish eats a varied diet of flake or micro pellets. Add frozen and live foods such as bloodworms and brine shrimp.

How big does a Roman nose angelfish get?

An adult Roman nose angelfish reaches about 3.9 in (10 cm).

Does a Roman nose angelfish need a group?

Yes. A Roman nose angelfish is a shoaling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.

How does a Roman nose angelfish breed?

Roman nose angelfish are open spawners that lay rows of eggs on a cleaned vertical surface, such as a leaf or wood. Both parents guard the eggs and fry.

Related species