Angelfish
Pterophyllum scalare
Also known as Freshwater Angelfish, Scalare
Edited by Ivan F. · Reviewed
Beginner verdict
A tall, graceful cichlid that is usually a good community fish, as long as the tank is large and tall and the other fish are too big to fit in its mouth. It may eat small fish such as tetras, and pairs can turn territorial when they breed.
Care at a glance
- Min tank size
- 53 US gal
- Footprint
- 39 x 16 in
- Temperature
- 75–86 °F
- pH
- 6–7.4
- Hardness
- 0–15 dGH
- Swim zone
- Mid-Water
- Min group
- 6 or more
- Lifespan
- 8–12 years
Angelfish tank mates and swim zone
Mid-Water
Spends most of its time in this part of the tank.
Trichogaster chuna
Trichogaster lalius
Trichopodus leerii
Mikrogeophagus altispinosus
Corydoras aeneus
Corydoras paleatus
Paracheirodon innesi
Angelfish is much larger than Neon Tetra and may frighten or even eat it.
Paracheirodon axelrodi
Angelfish is much larger than Cardinal Tetra and may frighten or even eat it.
Hyphessobrycon amandae
Angelfish is much larger than Ember Tetra and may frighten or even eat it.
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
Angelfish is much larger than Black Neon Tetra and may frighten or even eat it.
Tanichthys albonubes
Their temperature ranges do not overlap, so one of them would always be stressed.
Hyphessobrycon eques
Serpae Tetra is a known fin nipper and will shred the long, flowing fins of Angelfish.
Puntigrus tetrazona
Tiger Barb is a known fin nipper and will shred the long, flowing fins of Angelfish.
Carassius auratus
Goldfish suit cooler water and are not suited to tropical tanks, so Angelfish is a poor match.
Common tank-mate questions
Angelfish feeding and care
How to feed
- Feed a quality pellet or flake, which it accepts readily.
- Add live or frozen foods, which it relishes.
- Feed small portions you can see finished within a couple of minutes, because overfeeding fouls the water fast.
Telling males from females
Quite difficult to sex. Seriously Fish says males have smaller, pointed genital papillae, usually visible only when spawning, and tend to be more territorial.
Angelfish care mistakes to avoid
- Do not buy just one or two. Keep at least 6 fish so they feel secure.
- Keep very small fish and dwarf shrimp out. Sources warn that it may eat small fish such as tetras.
- Choose a tall tank, because adults grow much taller than their body length.
- Keep fin nippers away from those long, flowing fins.
- Check your tank before you buy. Our sourced minimum is 53 US gallons.
Angelfish tank setup
For bigger species and larger schools. Check your stand and floor can carry the weight.
TankAt least 53 US gal (200 L), 100 x 40 cm
The smallest tank our sources give for Angelfish. We list only tanks that hold this volume (allowing 10%, so a standard size counts) and have at least this much floor.
None of the tanks we recommend is big enough for this species yet. See Best 40-Gallon Breeder Tank (or a 55) for what to look for.
Starter kitA kit with the tank, filter and light in one box
We list only kits whose tank fits Angelfish, up to twice its minimum volume. A kit whose heater has a fixed setting shows only when that setting is inside Angelfish's temperature range.
None of the kits we recommend fits Angelfish yet. See Best Aquarium Starter Kit: What to Look For for what to look for.
FilterLarge hang-on-back or canister filter
Handles the extra waste. Canisters also hold more media and run quietly.
Seachem Tidal 75 Power Filter US
Marineland Penguin PRO 275 Power Filter US
Tetra EX 700 Plus External Filter Spain
Seachem Tidal 75 Power Filter Spain
Why we chose these (Best Filter for a 40 to 55-Gallon Tank). Nobody here has used or tested them.
HeaterKeep it at 75–86 °F (24–30 °C)
Adjustable heater, about 5 W per gallon: 200 W at 40 gallons, about 275 W at 55. Enough power for a large volume. Two smaller heaters that add up to that figure add a safety margin.
Aqueon Pro Adjustable Heater 200 W US
Aqueon Pro Adjustable Heater 300 W US
Tetra HT 200 Electronic Heater Spain
Eheim Thermocontrol e 150 Heater Spain
Why we chose these (Best Heater for a 40 to 55-Gallon Tank). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Water conditionerDechlorinator such as Seachem Prime
Tap water contains chlorine or chloramine that harms fish.
Seachem Prime US
Fritz Complete Water Conditioner US
API Betta Water Conditioner US
sera aquatan Spain
Tetra AquaSafe Spain
Sold at Kiwoko · Sold at Tiendanimal · Sold at zooplus.es · Maker's details
Why we chose these (Best Water Conditioner for Betta Fish). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Test kitLiquid kit such as API Freshwater Master
Tracks ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH while the tank cycles.
API Freshwater Master Test Kit US
API General & Carbonate Hardness Test Kit US
See it at The Shrimp Farm (a retailer; affiliate link) · Sold at Bulk Reef Supply · Maker's details
sera aqua-test box (Cl) Spain
JBL PROAQUATEST COMBISET Plus NH4 Spain
Why we chose these (Best Test Kit for a Freshwater Aquarium). Nobody here has used or tested them.
SubstrateAny substrate
We are still choosing products for this.
Hiding places and decorWell planted with tall leafy plants such as Amazon swords.
We are still choosing products for this.
PlantsSafe with live plants
Cycle the tank before adding animals. See our guide on how to cycle a fish tank.
Where to buy Angelfish
We have not found a store that sells Angelfish under its scientific name yet. We add stores as we confirm them.
Live animals and plants travel by courier. Check the store's live-arrival guarantee, and only buy once your tank has cycled (see how to cycle a fish tank).
Some US states restrict certain species. Check our US state aquarium rules table and your state's own rules before you buy.
Angelfish FAQ
What size tank do Angelfish need?
Our sourced minimum is 53 US gallons (200 liters), with a footprint of 100 x 40 cm. A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable.
How many Angelfish should I keep?
Keep at least 6 fish. Bigger groups usually look better and behave more confidently.
What can live with Angelfish?
Good matches on our list include Honey Gourami, Dwarf Gourami and Pearl Gourami. Avoid White Cloud Mountain Minnow and Pea Puffer.
How long do Angelfish live?
Care guides report about 8–12 years. Stable water and a good diet make the biggest difference.
Can I keep one angelfish?
Sources differ. Seriously Fish says they are best kept in small groups, while a breeder interviewed by Aquarium Co-Op says a single fish as a centerpiece can be more easygoing.
Angelfish facts and sources
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Native to
- Northern South America, including the Amazon
- Adult size
- 5.9 in (15 cm)
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social needs
- Schooling/Shoaling (6+)
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Water flow
- Gentle
- Substrate
- Any
- Live plants
- Yes - Loves Plants
- Shrimp
- Will Eat Shrimp
- Fin nipping
- Low
- Vulnerable to nippers
- Yes
- Breeding
- Moderate
Sources
- Seriously Fish: Tank size, water ranges and behavior
- FishBase: Cross-check of water ranges and size
Lifespans are approximate and come from aquarium care guides, because these databases rarely publish them.
Where sources differ, we show the Seriously Fish aquarium figures.
Spotted something wrong? Report a parameter correction. For a sick fish, see our veterinary disclaimer.