Freshwater
Freshwater angelfish
Pterophyllum scalare
Cichlidae, Cichlasomatinae
Facts
Characteristics
- Length
- Up to 10.5 cm
- Body shape
- Deep-bodied
Care
- Group
- Missing
- Smallest aquarium
- 105 liters
- Diet
- Missing
Know what is missing? Suggest it in the app.
Behavior
Water values
Smallest tank
Range
NativeIntroduced
Lives wild in Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, and Peru.
Introduced to Fiji and Suriname.
Videos
Wild Angelfish - Pterophyllum scalare
Oliver KnottSep 2, 2026
Pterophyllum scalare in the wild
Oliver KnottDec 3, 2025
Pterophyllum scalare in the wild #shorts
Oliver KnottNov 13, 2025
❤ Pterophyllum scalare sp. “Manacapuru” #angelfish #aquariums #fishtank #shorts @AquariumCoop
Oliver KnottJul 31, 2022
Tank mates
More about the species
Description
Inhabit swamps or flooded grounds where the aquatic and riverine vegetation are dense and the water is either clear or silty. Its color is deeper in clear water. One of the most popular of all the tropical aquarium fish. Maximum length 15 cm TL. Aquarium keeping: in groups of 5 or more individuals; keep pairs in small tanks for breeding; minimum aquarium size 100 cm.
Other names
Other scientific names
- Platax scalaris
- Plataxoides dumerilii
- Pterophillum eimekei
- Pterophyllum altum
- Pterophyllum dumerilii
- Pterophyllum eimekei
In other languages
- Skalare
- Scalare, Skalar
- Skalare, Almindelig Skalare, Scalare
- Lehtikala
- Angelfish, Black angelfish, Longfin angelfish, Veil angelfish
Articles
All articles
Fish that get along4 min read
Temperament, fin nippers, fish that eat other fish, and fish that need the same water. And what the Harmony mark in the app means.
Fin rot and columnaris4 min read
Bacteria that attack the fins, mouth and skin, nearly always after poor water. When water changes are enough, and when more is needed.
How to set up a South American aquarium4 min read
Soft, acidic water, subdued light, sand, roots and fallen leaves: how to set up a biotope aquarium from the Amazon and the rivers around it.
How to add new fish4 min read
From the store to the tank: how to get the fish used to your water, why you should add only a few at a time, and what to watch for in the first few days.