ANGELFISH

Angelfish (Pterophyllum) are freshwater cichlids from the slow, heavily vegetated waters of the Amazon, Orinoco and Essequibo river systems in South America. Three species are recognised: Pterophyllum scalare, the source of nearly all captive-bred strains such as leopard, koi, marble and veil tail; Pterophyllum altum, a taller and more slender species that generally needs softer, warmer, more acidic water; and the smaller Pterophyllum leopoldi, which is less common in the trade.

An adult can reach roughly 15 cm in body length and about 25 cm from the top fin to the bottom fin, so a tank around 50 cm deep or more lets the fins develop fully. Most captive-bred angelfish adapt well to 24–28°C and a pH of about 6.0–7.5, and they are calm for cichlids but remain predators, so peaceful, similarly sized tank mates such as corydoras, larger rasboras and many gouramis suit them best, while very small fish like neon tetras may be eaten and fin-nippers such as tiger barbs tend to damage their long fins. For importers and wholesalers,