Angelfish Care & Species Guide

Freshwater Angelfish Care Guide The Queen Of The Aquarium? Cover

The angelfish is a freshwater fish of the cichlid family. There are two types of angelfish: freshwater angelfish and saltwater angelfish. This guide will focus on freshwater angelfish.

Angelfish are popular among aquarists because of their unique arrowhead bodies with beautiful, flowing fins. Although angelfish are usually peaceful, the fish are known to prey upon small fish and fight amongst fish of their kind, especially during breeding season.

Freshwater Angelfish Facts & Overview

Two angelfish swimming together in a planted aquarium

Scientific name:Pterophyllum
Common names:Angelfish
Distribution:Tropical South America
Size:3–4 inches
Life expectancy:10–12 years
Color:Black, silver, or gold, with vertical black bands
Diet:Omnivore
Temperament:Semi-aggressive
Minimum tank size:20 gallons
Temperature:75–82°F (25–28°C)
pH:6.8–7
Hardness:4–12 dGH
Care level:Easy
Breeding:Egg layer

Origin

Angelfish are native to tropical South America, including most of the Amazon water system in French Guiana, Brazil, Guyana, Columbia, and Peru. The fish are commonly found in slow-moving streams, floodplains, and swamps, in warm, acidic water with no salinity.

The fish’s natural habitat is swampy with a sandy riverbed and lots of vegetation. Although this water is swampy, it isn’t dirty — sunlight can easily penetrate the water and reach the fish.

Adult Size & Lifespan

Fully-grown adult angelfish reach a body length of three or four inches and a height of six inches. Female angelfish have smaller, more rounded bodies than male angelfish.

The average lifespan of an angelfish is 10 to 12 years.

Availability

Angelfish are commonly available to buy online and in pet stores.

When buying angelfish for a freshwater tank, make sure to buy freshwater angelfish (Pterophyllum) not marine or saltwater angelfish (Pomacanthidae). Saltwater angelfish are more common than freshwater angelfish.

The average cost of an angelfish is $8 to $40, depending on the fish’s markings. Marbled angelfish are the most expensive angelfish. You can find angelfish in the following online stores:

Appearance & Behavior

A gold angelfish swimming near Java fern in a planted tank

Angelfish have a beautiful, striking appearance that is unique from any other aquarium fish, with long, spectacular fins and arrowhead-shaped bodies. Angelfish are peaceful fish with occasional aggressive tendencies.

Colors, Patterns, Fins, and Sex Differences

Angelfish have wide bodies, triangular snouts, fan-shaped caudal fins, and long, flowing dorsal and pectoral fins.

Angelfish are available in several colors, and the most common angelfish color is silver with four vertical black stripes. Juvenile angelfish have seven black stripes on their bodies, but as the fish mature, the number of stripes decreases.

In addition to silver, angelfish are found in gold, black, white, orange, and yellow. Marbled angelfish have no black stripes, but have a combination of marbled black, white, orange, yellow, gold, and silver on their bodies.

Albino angelfish have pure white bodies with red eyes, yellowy-orange heads, and red-hued tails. Platinum and gold angelfish are pure silver or pure gold, with no black bands.

Panda angelfish are a color variation of angelfish with white bodies and black patches that resemble a panda’s markings.

The brightness of an angelfish’s coloring depends on the fish’s mood and stress levels. When angelfish are stressed or asleep, the fish appear duller in color. Healthy, well-nourished angelfish living in ideal water conditions have vibrant colors.

Male angelfish have bolder colors than usual when attracting females for breeding.

Typical Behavior

Angelfish are active, showy fish that swim in the mid-levels of the tank, weaving in and out of aquarium plants. The fish are diurnal, meaning that they’re more active during the day than at night.

With enough space to claim their own territories, angelfish are peaceful fish, but when housed with too many fish of their kind, angelfish fight to defend their space or claim a mate.

Although angelfish form schools, the fish aren’t sociable with other angelfish and rarely interact with one another. However, angelfish are less aggressive than other cichlids and are unlikely to bully other fish species in the tank.

Angelfish Care & Tank Requirements

Two different species of angelfish swimming in a planted aquarium

Angelfish are hardy fish that are easy to care for. The fish require tropical freshwater with a slow-moving current, replicating their natural habitat. Feed angelfish an omnivorous diet.

Habitat and Tank Requirements

The angelfish’s natural habitat is slow-moving waters in the Amazon basin. Angelfish are used to warm, slightly acidic water with a fine substrate, plenty of plants, and lots of sunlight.

Set up your angelfish tank to mimic the conditions that the fish is used to in the wild. Angelfish require a tank size of at least 20 gallons, with an extra 10 gallons per extra fish, due to the fish’s large, tall body and territorial nature.

Use a soft substrate, such as sand or mud, in your angelfish tank. Angelfish enjoy digging in the substrate, so don’t use harsh gravel or materials that could scrape and injure the fish’s body.

Freshwater angelfish are used to slow-flowing currents, which can be achieved with a low-flow aerator. Provide an aquarium light that mimics the sun, such as an aquarium LED light, and ensure the light is switched on for between 8 and 12 hours per day.

Use plants that are native to the Amazon river, such as Amazon sword and anacharis, to ensure angelfish feel at home in the tank. Additional plants to consider are Java fern and Java moss, which are sturdy and hardy.

Avoid using floating plants, which block out the light and overcrowd the tank.

Provide caves, rocks, and other hollow decorations for angelfish to use as hiding places and territorial spots in the aquarium.

Tank Conditions

The ideal tank conditions for angelfish are:

Water type:Slightly acidic, slow-flowing freshwater
Tank size:Minimum 20 gallons, plus 10 gallons for every extra fish
Water temperature:75–82°F
Substrate:Soft sand or mud
Tank setup:Plants, caves, strong lighting
Acidity:6.8–7.0 pH
Water hardness:4–12 dGH
Filter:Yes, to provide a slow current and keep the tank clean
Pump:Not necessary
Bubbler:No, the filter can provide sufficient aeration without the use of a bubbler
Lighting:Yes, standard aquarium lighting to keep the plants healthy and mimic the sunlight that angelfish are used to in the wild
Water heater:Yes, to maintain a tropical water temperature

Provide consistent water parameters in the tank to prevent angelfish from becoming stressed or ill.

Disease

There are several common freshwater diseases that affect angelfish in captivity:

Ich

Ich, or white spot disease, is caused by stress, which usually results from poor tank conditions. The protozoan parasite, Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, causes white, itchy spots on the fish’s body. Ich also causes lethargy and a lack of appetite.

Treat ich by quarantining the affected fish in a separate tank. Increase the water temperature by a couple of degrees to speed up the protozoan’s lifespan and add one teaspoon of salt per gallon of water in the tank.

Dropsy

Dropsy is a symptom of an underlying bacterial infection, which can occur if the fish’s immune system becomes compromised. This bacterial infection causes a bloated appearance, scales that stick out from the body, protruding eyes, rapid breathing, lethargy, and loss of appetite.

Treat dropsy with antibacterial medication recommended by your veterinarian, and add ⅛ teaspoon of Epsom salt to every five gallons of water.

Fin Rot

Fin rot is a bacterial infection that is commonly caused by fluctuating water parameters. This disease attacks the fins from the edges, working towards the body. There are several types of flavobacteria that are responsible for fin rot, including Columnare and Aeromonas. Fin rot causes shredded, milky fins and difficulty swimming.

Treat fin rot by cleaning the tank and carrying out 20–50% water changes for at least two weeks. Speak to your veterinarian about using antibiotic treatment.

Tank Mates

Angelfish swimming with guppies and other tank mates in a planted tnak

In the wild, angelfish live in one of the most diverse habits, with thousands of other fish.

In an enclosed tank habitat, the fish’s territorial, aggressive nature is heightened, so don’t house angelfish with shy species that are intimidated by pushy, boisterous fish.

Great tank mates for angelfish are:

Don’t house angelfish with non-fish tank mates because angelfish are likely to harass or attack crabs, shrimp, and other invertebrates.

Diet and Feeding

Angelfish eat a diet of small live prey, including insects, larvae, crustaceans, and small fish in the wild.

Replicate this diet in captivity by providing a high-protein, high-fiber diet with limited plant matter.

Feed angelfish live foods such as tubifex worms, which are a vital source of protein for the fish. Brine shrimp and live water fleas are other good protein sources for angelfish.

Aside from live prey, provide nutritious, high-protein fish flakes or pellets, and a small amount of high-fiber plant food, such as blanched spinach or zucchini.

Angelfish require at least two feedings per day. Provide only a pinch of food at a time, ensuring the fish eat for two whole minutes. Remove uneaten food to keep the tank clean.

Breeding

Two koi angelfish preparing to breed in a dark tank

Angelfish are some of the easiest-to-breed freshwater aquarium fish. Freshwater angelfish reach sexual maturity between six months and one year of age.

To breed angelfish in your tank, follow these instructions:

  1. Observe your school of angelfish. The fish should pair off naturally and set territories for themselves.
  2. Create a separate 20-gallon breeding tank for a fish pair, with slow-flowing water, a temperature of 82°F, and a suitable slanted spawning surface, such as anacharis or PVC pipes.
  3. Condition the fish by feeding them a high-protein diet of tubifex worms or bloodworms, four times per day.
  4. Move the pair to the breeding tank and watch their behavior. When the female lingers next to the spawning surface, she is getting ready to lay her eggs.
  5. The female will lay up to 400 eggs, which the male will fertilize externally.
  6. The eggs will hatch after two or three days. The parents will look after the fry for about up to a month. Remove the parents after four weeks and return the fish to their home tank.
  7. Feed the fry brine shrimp larvae until the fish reach six weeks old. Then, move onto a diet of flakes and dried food.
  8. After six weeks, the angelfish are large enough to be moved to a community tank.

Should You Get an Angelfish for Your Aquarium?

Angelfish are beautiful fish that are occasionally aggressive.

Consider getting an angelfish for your aquarium if you have enough space to house this fish species, and you have experience looking after other freshwater fish. Don’t get an angelfish if your tank contains shy, nervous fish, or your tank is crowded with lots of fish already.

Despite their occasionally territorial behavior, angelfish are colorful, majestic fish that will have an impact on any aquarium.

Angelfish FAQs

About Robert 468 Articles
Robert Woods is the creator of FishKeeping World, a third-generation fish keeper, and a graduate in animal welfare and behavior. He is also a proud member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the Marine Aquarium Societies of North America, and the Nature Conservancy.

16 Comments

  1. Matt says:

    Hi,

    I recently fired up my old ~100L tank for my daughter to have guppies in, and while I was getting them one of these was in the same tank so I picked it up too. I know, poor research, my bad. They’ll all good chums so far, but I’ve gotten some conflicting information about how well these will get along once the big fella grows up.

    Will this eventually lead to trouble or should it be ok moving forward? I’d have liked to have some female guppies in there to have a restocking supply since their life spans aren’t so flash, but that seems like I’d be pushing the friendship a bit too far.

    As a sidenote (assuming I haven’t already made a deathtrap) I was thinking of adding a dwarf Gourami or two to balance out the community with something in the middle, would this trio be acceptable?

    Thanks.

    • Fishkeeping World says:

      Hi Matt, personally I would’t keep Guppies and Angelfish together – you’ll just have to keep a close eye on them. You can add a couple of Dwarf Gourami, they are compatible with both species. Thanks, Robert

  2. Shafiul says:

    What might happen if 2 angels are kept in a 10 gallon tank with a school of platies?

    • Fishkeeping World says:

      Hi Shafiul, this tank size is too small for 2 Angels and a group of Platies, you’ll need at least a 30 gallon tank to house them. Thanks, Robert

    • Anonymous says:

      Do NOT keep the fish in a ten gallon. The typical minimum is 20-30 gallons, so if you want a couple of angels and school of platies, a 55 gallon would be ideal.

  3. Carlos says:

    Hi,
    I’m restocking my old 50 gallon tank. Would this combination work?
    4 angelfish, 3 dwarf gourami, 2 electric blue rams, 8 rainbowfish.
    Feel free to adjust the numbers. Can I still add some schooling fish to the mix? What kind if ever will go well? Thanks!

    • Fishkeeping World says:

      Hi Carlos, these fish will all be fine together but there are currently too many and the tank will be overstocked. There are a few online calculators available for you to have a play around with and see which numbers work best together. Thanks, Robert

  4. Wayne Luallen says:

    How do I avoid constant fin nipping among Angels? Is this less likely with fish from the same variety and even same hatch vs. different color varieties blended together (ex. Blues, Zebra’s and Koi of similar size)?

  5. Tony H says:

    I set up an old 50gal tank a few months ago. Once set up, I let the water cycle for close to 3 weeks before introducing a Blue and Bolivian Ram. I let them sit for a few more weeks and I went out and go 2 Angelfish (black and silver in color), 2 Dalmatians, and an Albino Cory. Over the week, my wife noticed my one Angelfish turning more black and the next morning, it was dead. I didn’t think anything of it at the time. Yesterday she said the other Angelfish was looking more black in color and again then this morning when I went to feed them, I noticed the 2nd Angelfish dead as well. I feed the fish Tropical flakes, 2-3 times a day. The other fish appear to fine by. I have an under gravel filter as well as a aqeon quiet flow 55 filter. There’s large gravel on the bottom and fine black gravel on top of it. It get plenty of light from an LED aquarium light. I did not notice any odd behavior in either Angelfish before their demise and they would eat fine. Typically swam around the middle and the bottom of my tank but and rarely up top looking for food. My water levels appear to be all normal other than general hardness but from what I understand that should not be a concern. Any ideas?

  6. linda says:

    hi i have a 55 gal tank.i have 4 angel fish and sone glow fish try color sharks and a few other ones they all get along they been together for a year or so.i was cleaning there tank today and when i was done my grand daughter got off the school bus an was by the tank looking at the fish.the thing that has the felt on the 2 pieces and they have magnets so you can clean the glass was full of eggs from the angel fish.they been kissing for 2 months.what do i do leave them in there or take them and the eggs out and put in another tank

  7. Kdizzle says:

    So your saying you can keep a pair of angels in a 20? Would one work in a 20 with 6 harlequin rasboras?

  8. Merry says:

    I just bought two nickel size (body) marble angels for a twenty gallon tank. I had a large female before this, who I’d had for years since about their size. She never minded two otb filters with a strong current, was a piglet on day one, and really a joy. These two seem terrified, and I know it’s only day one but I tried to feed them. No way. I have gravel and fake plants, I’ve turned the lights off in the tank. The FS I bought them from is top notch, and breed their own. They are fat and healthy, but I only have access to frozen or flake food. Am I worrying too soon that they won’t eat? I think I had it too easy with my first Angel, and I’m also worried about the current. I wasn’t allowed in the store due to Covid, or I never would have bought such tiny fish…Is the current an issue? Also, I let them sit in their bag for twenty minutes, and plunged it twice after 10 minutes (4o minutes total) before releasing them. I used to do this with salt water fish, but now I’m reading that’s wrong. Getting them to eat, current, probably hard water, help!

  9. Anna says:

    Hi,
    I have three angel fish in my tank, two juveniles (male and female) and one adult (female). At first my older one starting attacking the two young ones, I thought that she was trying to establish a pecking order. Then, the older female and juvenile’s male starting staying together. I thought they might be mating, but then the male juvenile starting to constantly attack the young female, like a lot. Now she is hiding and being really shy, not like she uses to be. I am worried about her; maybe I should get her a mate. I hope you can help me. Thank you.

  10. Vinit says:

    I built 180 letter tank and I want
    1. Red blood or heart shape perrot fish (2)
    2. Golden red spoted sevram (2)
    3. Bristol nose Placo (2)
    4. angel (5)
    5. Electric blue acar (2)
    These fish together
    Can you please tell that angel fish is capable with all these fishes or wich angel is more suitable noraml angel or mono angel because I am working person I want fish who want less care because I am quite busy in my work and lyf

  11. sarah castelli says:

    what do fish eat

  12. wendy bright says:

    hi I have a silver angel fish that seems bloated and getting bigger by the week iT’s eyes are not bulging nor are it’s scales poking outand it’s appetite seems fine, any ideas?

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