Fish & Aquatics
Freshwater Angelfish
Pterophyllum scalare
Care level
Intermediate
Lifespan
8 to 12 years
Adult size
Up to 15 cm long and 20 cm tall with fins
Angelfish are tall, elegant, disc-shaped cichlids from the Amazon basin and a centrepiece favourite in community tanks. Their graceful looks hide a cichlid temperament, so they can be territorial and will eat fish small enough to fit in their mouths. With the right tall tank and tankmates they are rewarding, intelligent, and long-lived.
Housing & setup
Because of their height, angelfish need a tall tank at least 45 cm high, with a minimum of about 110 to 120 litres for a pair and 200 litres or more for a group. Aquascape with tall plants such as Amazon swords and vertical driftwood to provide territory and cover, and choose a gentle to moderate filter. Fit a lid, as they can be startled into jumping.
Diet & feeding
Angelfish are omnivores that lean carnivorous, so feed a quality cichlid pellet or flake as the staple with regular frozen or live bloodworm, brine shrimp, and occasional vegetable matter. Give one or two modest feeds a day that they finish in a couple of minutes. Do not overfeed, as excess food fouls the water and encourages bloating.
Temperature, light & environment
Keep the water at 24 to 28 C, soft to moderately hard, and pH 6.5 to 7.5. The tank must be cycled with ammonia at 0 and nitrite at 0 and nitrate kept low. Dechlorinate tap water before use, and change 25 to 30 percent weekly. Stable warm conditions keep their immune systems strong.
Company & handling
Angelfish are semi-aggressive cichlids that form pairs and become territorial, especially when breeding. Keep them either as a group of five or more raised together to spread aggression, or as a single bonded pair. Avoid housing them with tiny fish like neon tetras, which they will eat, or with long-finned fish and known fin-nippers.
Enrichment & exercise
Tall plants, vertical driftwood, and broad flat leaves or slate give them cover, territory, and potential spawning sites. Moderate flow and defined territories help reduce squabbling.
Common health problems
Ich (white spot)
Signs: White spots on body and fins, flashing, clamped fins.
Prevention: Quarantine new fish, avoid chilling, and maintain clean water.
Hole-in-the-head (Hexamita)
Signs: Pits, holes, or eroded areas on the head and along the lateral line.
Prevention: Keep nitrate low with regular water changes, feed a varied quality diet, and reduce stress.
Fin rot
Signs: Frayed, receding, or reddened fins.
Prevention: Keep water pristine, avoid crowding and aggression, and treat injuries promptly.
Bloat and dropsy
Signs: A swollen belly, raised scales, loss of appetite, and lethargy.
Prevention: Avoid overfeeding, keep water quality high, and quarantine new fish.
See a vet urgently if...
- !Pits or holes developing on the head or face
- !Fins clamped and body colour darkening
- !Refusing food for more than a day or two
- !White spots or persistent flashing and darting
- !Belly swelling with scales sticking out like a pinecone
In Macau
Dechlorinate Macau tap water before water changes. Tall tanks are less common in shops, so plan the aquarium height before buying angelfish. They are warm-water fish, so Macau summers suit them, but avoid letting the tank climb much above 30 C, and source healthy stock from reputable local shops.
Angelfish are cichlids that pair off for life and make devoted parents, laying their eggs on a cleaned vertical surface and taking turns fanning and guarding them until the fry are free-swimming.
Questions about your exotic pet?
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General guidance reviewed by the Royal Veterinary Center team. Not a substitute for a veterinary examination. Always confirm species-specific and legal requirements for Macau.