This page is dedidcated to angelfish and some breif information on them.
Angelfish belong to the species Pterophyllum the most commonly avaliable are P.scalare followed by P.altum then P.dumerili and P.leopoldi for most common purposes husbandry is basically the same but P.scalare is the more commonly avaliable and easier kept,so this information is more aimed towards them.
Conditions
In the wild Pterophyllum Scalare (common angelfish) are found in the amazon and its tributaries.And it is best to try to duplicate this type of conditions in your tank if you want to successfuly keep and breed angelfish. Angelfish do best in soft water with a PH range of 5.0 to 7.5 (altum's prefer the lower side) .They also do best at temperatures between 78 and 86. Body
Angels fish basically have disk-shaped,rounded bodies.Angelfish also have elongated dorsal and Anal fins,the Pectoral fins are stretched into long filaments. The Caudal fin is fan shaped and broad. The outermost fin rays are elongated. In some older angelfish the forehead may form a slight hump.The maximum body size for an angelfish averages about 4 to 6" but when measured including the fins an Angel may reach a total height of ten to twelve inches and a length of five to six inches,with some of the tank breed strains getting slightly taller Colors
At this point in time I see no real value in adding a discription since most angels avaliable to the average consumer are tank bred they are greatly variable and avaliable in a wide range of color morphs including albinos and pearlscales.! For an example of a wild scalare look at my pair.
Maintenance and Keeping
Angels should be kept in a fairly large and most importantly tall aquarium! Angels prefer to live among plants ( although not nessecary).The water temperature should be kept at least at 76, but preferably higher. The hardness of the water is not that important since they will adapt to harder water, but as with all fish it's best to replcate their natual environment when possiable.Angels need clean water , you must do your water changes.Clean water a frequent water changes are key to growing large angels and to breeding them.Angelfish do best in either breeding pairs or groups so consider this when buying them or you tank. Angels are also midlevel swimmers which is a consideration when decideing to place them in a community type tank.They are usually very peaceful and don't "USUALLY" bother other fish as long as they can't fit them in their mouth. Feeding
Angels are not picky eaters and will eat flake,frozen and love live foods of all kinds including Brine shrimp,Glass worm,Tubifex worms and earth worms.
Breeding
The first thing you need to do of coarse is make sure you have a pair or get a pair.There are two basic methodes of obtaining a pair.The first methode is - get a group of 6+ (depending on your tank size) young Angels raise them up and let them pair off on their own.The other methode is to buy a pair of adults.Once you've gotten a pair.Raise the "breeder" pairs tank temperture to help stimulate spawning.You will notice they are typical open breeders that will lay their eggs on any flat vertical surface avaliable.Both parents take part in brood protection, guarding and fanning the eggs and site location.At 79 to 86 and the eggs will hatch in 24-36 hours. Some pairs will help their fry out of the egg membrane and spit them onto the the tank walls or other objects in the tank, where they hang by short strands.Once all the fry are hatched they are moved into shallow pits dug in the gravel or into a central spot if a bare tank is used. After a few days the fry become free swimming and the whole school will start to hunt for food. At this time the parents will keep all other fish away from their young. The fry need fine food like baby brine shrimp or crushed flake or powedered pellets/sticks .If you leave the babies and parents alone the parents will help feed the fry by spitting small food particles out of their gills when they eat.
