The freshwater Angelfish, was first described by Lichtenstein in 1823 and was given the scientific name Pterophyllum scalare, by Günther in 1862. (Pterophyllum, means winged leaf, a reference to the broad leaf like fins of the fish, scalare, means stepped or ‘ladder-like’, presumably a reference to the jagged leading edge of the dorsal fin. 3 other fishes are found in the genus, the best known is the majestic ‘deep’ angelfish, Pterophyllum altum, they belong to the popular cichlid family of fishes which has so many representative members found in aquarium keeping circles.
Freshwater angelfishes are native to the mighty Amazon River basin, of South America, where they are found in the slow backwaters, but move out into the flooded forests and grasslands to breed during the wet season. The overwhelming majority of angelfishes in the aquarium trade are now captive bred, their long-term popularity has led to many artificial colour morphs being developed by breeders. Albinos, golden, koi and marbled angels are all commonly seen in aquatic shops. Wild caught specimens are very rarely seen, although wild caught P. altum is more commonly seen in some larger specialist stores.
Aquarium care of any fish involves faithful replication of the fish’s native conditions, so for Angels this means warm, soft acidic water. A minimum temperature of 23′C is required, though 25 – 28′C is preferred, (higher values are needed to mimic the dry season and condition the fish for spawning). Angels prefer a pH in the acidic range, ideally as low as 6.0 and a hardness maximum of around 4′dH. This is by no means essential for successful aquarium keeping of angels; as the majority of them are reared in captivity, they are less fussy about the provision of soft acidic water. However, if you want your angels to really thrive, then soft acidic water is best. Obviously undetectable levels of ammonia and nitrite are essential and minimal water movement in the tank is preferred. The graceful swimming and posture of angels means they are quite poor swimmers and do not appreciate being buffeted around by several jets of water from assorted power-heads in the tank. A spraybar from a canister filter, directed across the water surface to maximise aeration is ideal.
As these fish are generally all captive bred, they greedily accept all standard aquarium foods. As with any diet, variety is the key. Base the diet around a high quality flake or crisp, but offer granular sinking foods, frozen bloodworms, daphnia even occasional brine shrimp. Feed the fish 2 – 3 times a day, offering them as much as they will eat in 2 minutes. Always siphon out any uneaten fish food, (not that angelfish are likely to leave anything behind!) Treat tablets that can adhere to the glass will also be eagerly eaten, this can allow the fishkeeper to get a good close up look at their fishes and perform a basic visual health check, this is also an excellent photo opportunity!
Angelfishes are an excellent community fish; they will fit in well with the vast majority of other standard community fishes. As juvenile angelfish grow there can be much aggression between individuals as they rise and fall in the pecking order, this aggression can occasionally spill over onto other visually similar species such as gouramies. If an individual becomes highly aggressive or especially bullied, then a period of isolation in a separate tank or behind a mesh tank divider can be important. Angels can occasionally fall victim to the attentions of nippy fishes, such as tiger barbs, thus many fishkeepers will avoid mixing these species.
Healthy juveniles will often pair up in the community tank and isolate themselves from their conspecifics. The first indication of spawning behaviour is when the pair will begin to clean a vertical surface; out of preference most fish opt for a leaf of a broad-leaved plant such as Amazon Sword, but often the fish will choose any vertical surface such as canister filter pipework even the aquarium glass! Once the pair consider the surface clean enough to spawn onto, the female begins to pass gently over depositing a line of clear tan-coloured eggs, the male follows afterward and releases his milt to fertilise the eggs. It is only at this moment of spawning that the fishkeeper can be absolutely certain which is the male and female fish of the pair! Hundreds of eggs are laid and these are meticulously cared for by a good pair of angels; water is fanned over the eggs, white infertile ones and furry eggs infected by egg fungus are nibbled off by the parents to prevent contamination of the whole brood.
After 24-36 hours the fry hatch, often helped by the parents, and they remain adhered to the vertical surface where they feed on the yolk sacs to which they are attached. After 5-6 days of growth the yolk sac reserves are exhausted; the fry have developed mouths and a digestive tract and are ready to swim and locate food. The parents lead the brood away from the spawning surface and aid them in their quest for microscopic food items.
Intensive rearing methods of angelfish by breeders cuts out parental caring, (as it makes the process less efficient), and eggs are removed from spawning pairs to be reared loco parentis. This allows the breeder to condition the pair for another spawning, but the long term consequences are that the vast majority of angelfish have lost this parental caring instinct. If left to their own devices in the tank they will spawn, promptly gobble the eggs up, eat the fry upon hatching or fail to care for the free-swimming fry. What a shame that intensive production has lead to the loss of one of the truly heart-warming sights of aquarium keeping. Fortunately many less popular cichlid fish still have strong parental instincts, so the sight of doting parents looking after their brood is still common – just not with the angelfishes.
