# Angelfish — Facts, Threats & Conservation

*Pterophyllum scalare (Lichtenstein, 1823) — freshwater angelfish, family Cichlidae*

> Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare) are tall Amazonian cichlids kept worldwide in aquariums; the many 'varieties' are line-bred colour and fin forms of one species, needing a tall planted tank of 110+ litres and calm tankmates.

**IUCN status:** Domesticated aquarium fish; wild type widespread in the Amazon basin  ·  **WARN range:** South America — Amazon basin (wild type); aquariums worldwide

## Quick facts
| Fact | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Wild origin | Amazon basin, South America |
| Adult size | ~15 cm long, up to ~20 cm tall with fins |
| Minimum tank | 110+ litres (tall) for a pair |
| Temperament | Cichlid — can be territorial |
| Lifespan | 8–10 years with good care |
| Varieties | Line-bred colour & fin forms of one species |

## Scientific classification
- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Actinopterygii
- **Order:** Cichliformes
- **Family:** Cichlidae
- **Genus:** Pterophyllum
- **Species:** Pterophyllum scalare

## Conservation status
- **Status:** Domesticated aquarium fish — varieties not assessed. Wild Pterophyllum scalare is widespread across the Amazon basin.
- **Population:** Wild type widespread; aquarium varieties bred in vast numbers
- **Trend:** Wild population stable; not a conservation concern
- **Assessed:** Not formally assessed by the IUCN
- **CITES:** Not listed
- Never release aquarium fish or plants into the wild — released pets harm freshwater ecosystems.

## Key facts: Angelfish
- Almost all aquarium angelfish are line-bred varieties of one species, Pterophyllum scalare.
- They are cichlids, not relatives of marine angelfish, and can be territorial.
- Their tall body needs a tall tank — height matters as much as length.
- Fancy fin types (veil) are delicate and need gentle, non-fin-nipping tankmates.
- Angelfish are devoted parents, fanning and guarding their eggs and fry.
- Stable, warm, well-filtered water prevents most common diseases.

## Wild angelfish of the Amazon
Pterophyllum scalare lives in the slow, warm, often tannin-stained waters of the Amazon basin, among submerged roots and tall plants. Its laterally flattened body and long fins are camouflage and manoeuvring gear for life among vertical stems, where the dark vertical bars break up its outline. Wild angelfish hunt small invertebrates and fish fry and form pairs that jointly defend a territory and their eggs.

The wild 'silver' form is the basis of every aquarium variety. Two close relatives — the larger Pterophyllum altum and the smaller P. leopoldi — are also kept by specialists but are far less common than the line-bred scalare varieties.

## Varieties are line-bred, not separate species
The silver, zebra, marble, koi, gold, platinum, veil and albino angelfish sold in shops are colour and fin mutations selectively bred from one species. Colour genes stack — a fish can be koi and veil at once — so the trade names describe appearance, not ancestry. None of these are separate species, and all share identical care needs.

Because the varieties interbreed freely, 'designer' angelfish appear constantly. Buyers should choose healthy, well-shaped fish from a responsible source rather than chasing rare patterns from poor stock.

## Tank, water and tankmates
Angelfish grow tall, so a single pair needs a tall aquarium of at least 110 litres, planted and gently filtered, with stable warm water around 25–28°C. They are cichlids and can be territorial, especially when breeding, and may eat very small fish such as neon tetras. Good tankmates are calm, similarly sized and will not nip the long fins of veil varieties.

Sharp décor should be avoided to protect trailing fins. Overstocking, poor filtration and unstable water cause most health problems, so steady maintenance matters more than gadgets.

## Health and responsible fishkeeping
Common angelfish problems — ich (white spot), fin rot, swim bladder issues, hexamita and ammonia poisoning — are nearly all linked to water quality, diet and stress. Cycling the tank before stocking, regular partial water changes, quarantining new fish and avoiding overfeeding prevent the majority of disease.

Responsible fishkeeping also means buying captive-bred stock, never releasing aquarium fish into the wild (released pets and plants cause ecological harm), and planning for an adult fish that can live 8–10 years, not the tiny juvenile in the shop bag.

## Explore angelfish varieties on WARN
WARN's angelfish variety library at /wildlife-guides/angelfish covers line-bred colour and fin forms — including the wild-type Silver, the Marble, the Koi and the Platinum, with further forms added as suitable human-free photos are sourced — each with how the colour or fin type arises, adult size, tank needs and common health issues.

The library helps aquarists understand that these fish are all one Amazon cichlid, and choose and care for them responsibly.

## Freshwater Angelfish Varieties Guide
From the wild-type Silver to the Marble, Koi, Gold, Platinum, Veil and Albino — explore popular freshwater angelfish varieties, all line-bred forms of one Amazon cichlid, with tank needs, common health issues and responsible fishkeeping.

Full variety library (7 guides): https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/angelfish#breeds

- **Silver:** The wild-type angelfish — silver body crossed by bold vertical black bars. — https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/angelfish/silver
- **Marble:** Irregular black, white and silver marbling makes every marble angelfish unique. — https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/angelfish/marble
- **Koi:** White, orange and black blotches recall koi carp — often with an orange 'crown'. — https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/angelfish/koi
- **Gold:** A soft solid-gold body, usually deepest in colour over the head and back. — https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/angelfish/gold
- **Platinum:** A clean silvery-white body with a pearly, sometimes blue-green, sheen. — https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/angelfish/platinum
- **Veil:** A fin type, not a colour — long, trailing fins that flow like a veil. — https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/angelfish/veil
- **Albino:** A pigment-free variety with a pale body and distinctive pink-red eyes. — https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/angelfish/albino

## What WARN does
WARN publishes free companion-animal and aquarium welfare education. Understanding that fish are sentient animals with real environmental needs — not disposable decorations — is the first step to responsible fishkeeping and to refusing the wild collection and release that harm freshwater ecosystems.

If this guide helps you understand wildlife and the pressures it faces, a gift to WARN supports habitat protection and free public education in our partner countries.

## Frequently asked questions: Angelfish
### Are angelfish varieties different species?
No. Almost all aquarium angelfish are line-bred colour and fin varieties of a single Amazonian cichlid, Pterophyllum scalare. The colours and fin shapes are selectively bred traits, not separate species, and all share the same care needs.

### What size tank do angelfish need?
Because angelfish grow tall and are territorial cichlids, a single pair needs a tall aquarium of at least 110 litres, and groups need more. Avoid sharp décor and tankmates that nip long fins.

### Are angelfish aggressive?
Angelfish are cichlids and can be territorial, especially when breeding, and may eat very small fish. They do best with calm, similarly sized, non-fin-nipping tankmates in a planted tank.

### How long do angelfish live?
With stable, warm, well-filtered water and a good diet, angelfish commonly live 8 to 10 years. Most early deaths come from poor water quality, overfeeding or stress rather than old age.

### What do angelfish eat?
They are omnivores that take quality flake or pellet food plus frozen or live foods such as bloodworm and brine shrimp. Variety and not overfeeding keep them healthy and well-coloured.

### Where can I read about angelfish varieties?
WARN's angelfish guide links to a variety library covering line-bred colour and fin forms such as the silver, marble, koi and platinum, with more added as images are sourced — each with care and health notes.

## Sources
- [Seriously Fish — Pterophyllum scalare](https://www.seriouslyfish.com/species/pterophyllum-scalare/)
- [Practical Fishkeeping — angelfish care](https://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/)

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Full guide: https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/angelfish