Freshwater Angelfish: Care, Tank Mates and Varieties

Freshwater angelfish are South American cichlids of the genus Pterophyllum, kept for their tall, flat, triangular bodies and long fins. They need warm, soft-to-neutral water, a tall tank of at least 55 gallons once grown (Aqueon), and tank mates too big to fit in their mouths.

Three species are recognised: Pterophyllum scalare, described in the 1820s, P. altum (1903) and P. leopoldi (1963) (Wikipedia). Almost every angelfish in a shop is P. scalare or a domestic strain of it; Wikipedia says those strains come from more than 60 years of selective breeding, and captive breeding began in America in the late 1920s and early 1930s.

Yes, if you mean Pterophyllum. The name 'angelfish' covers two unrelated groups:

• Freshwater angelfish: cichlids from Amazon-basin rivers and flooded forest, living in 'swamps or flooded grounds where vegetation is dense' (Wikipedia)
• Marine angelfish: the family Pomacanthidae, about 86-88 species on shallow tropical reefs. They cannot live in fresh water. Wikipedia notes they are unrelated to the freshwater cichlids and are recognised by a strong spine on the gill cover

If a shop label just says 'angelfish', check which one it means before you set up a tank. See freshwater versus saltwater fish for the general differences.

• P. scalare: the common angelfish. Wild colouring is silver with dark vertical stripes (Aqueon). Wikipedia notes a form in the Orinoco with thinner, doubled stripes
• P. altum: the altum angelfish. Wikipedia says it is notably difficult to breed in aquariums, and Predatory Fins calls it the most sought-after species; it sold there for $32-$135 (read 25 September 2026)
• P. leopoldi: rarely seen in shops (Aqueon)

For any freshwater angelfish, the quick checks are the tall, flat, triangular body, long fins and, in wild-type fish, dark vertical stripes on silver (Aqueon). A marine angelfish, by contrast, has the spine on the gill cover and lives only on reefs (Wikipedia).

Aqueon's care guide asks for at least 55 gallons for grown fish and a tall tank to fit their body shape, with water at 78-84°F, pH 6.8-7.8 and hardness 3-8 dKH (54-145 ppm).

Wikipedia's pages describe softer, more acidic water, closer to the wild habitat: around 80°F (27°C) and a pH under 6.5 for the genus, and pH 6.0-7.0, 26-30°C and 3-10 °dH for P. scalare. The difference matters mostly for wild-caught fish and for breeding; domestic strains sold in shops are usually kept within Aqueon's wider range. Whichever you aim for, keep it stable rather than chasing a number.

They are omnivores. Aqueon recommends flakes, granules and pellets once or twice a day, only as much as they eat in two to three minutes. In the wild they take fish fry and juvenile fish, shrimps, small crabs, worms, mosquito larvae, water bugs and insects that fall on the water (Wikipedia). Wikipedia lists bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia and similar frozen or live foods for captive fish and says variety matters for health.

None of the sources we read gives a fixed number. What they do say is that all Pterophyllum species form monogamous pairs (Wikipedia) and that angelfish 'can be aggressive toward one another', especially while pairing off and spawning (Aqueon).

In practice that leaves two sensible setups: a single pair, or a small group of young fish in a large tank with a plan to move fish once a pair forms and starts defending a spawning site. A lone angelfish also does fine as the centrepiece of a community tank.

They are calm most of the time but are predators. Wikipedia describes Pterophyllum as ambush predators of small fish and invertebrates that are generally peaceful except when breeding. Aqueon says they 'will not hesitate to eat smaller fish'. LiveAquaria lists 20 of its 21 angelfish products as semi-aggressive. So: aggressive toward each other when pairing, and a threat to any fish that fits in the mouth.

Aqueon's list of suitable companions:

• Larger tetras and rasboras
• Gouramis and peaceful barbs
• Rainbowfish
• Corydoras and medium-sized catfish
• Discus, if the tank is kept above 82°F

Avoid small fish that can be swallowed as the angelfish grows: small tetras, fry and similar nano fish are food, not tank mates (Aqueon; Wikipedia).

Fairly easy for someone past their first tank. LiveAquaria rates 19 of its 21 angelfish listings as easy care. The work is in the setup: a tall tank of 55 gallons or more, stable warm water and tank mates chosen for size. Breeding is intermediate: pairs spawn readily on vertical surfaces, but in aquariums they often eat their own eggs or fry (Aqueon).

'Prettiest' is a matter of taste, but these are the varieties shops actually sell:

• Wild-type silver with vertical bars, and the long-finned veil forms (Aqueon)
• Gold, zebra, marble, koi and pearlscale, all products of selective breeding (Wikipedia)
• Platinum, blue, black, half black, blushing and albino (LiveAquaria listings)
• Altum, the wild species most prized by collectors (Predatory Fins)

Prices on 25 September 2026: LiveAquaria $24.99-$101.59; Predatory Fins from $12 for small platinum veiltails up to $135 for large altums. Price mostly follows variety and size.

A side-on photo usually settles it: the tall, flat, triangular body and long fins separate a Pterophyllum from almost everything else in a freshwater tank. Two cases cause confusion: marine angelfish photographed in a reef shop, and fancy colour strains that no longer show bars. In those cases, check the water the fish lives in and the gill cover. FishLens names the species from one photo and shows how confident the match is; see how to photograph a fish.