The freshwater Angelfish (Pterophyllum) is an extremely popular tropical fish due to its unique shape and for their interesting personalities.
Pterophyllum is a little genus of freshwater fish from the grouped family Cichlidae recognized to most aquarists as “angelfish”. All Pterophyllumspecies result from the Amazon Basin, Orinoco Basin and different rivers in the Guiana Shield in tropical South America. The three species of Pterophyllum are shaped for cichlids being greatly laterally compressed unusually, with round bodies and elongated triangular anal and dorsal fins.
- Silver Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare)
Today is normally regarded as a hybrid of Pterophyllum scalare the normal Angelfish sold, however, it isn’t really the entire case. Types of Angelfish within the wild have grown to be fixed forms by captive inbreeding. The normal Angelfish has historically been known as Pterophyllum scalare because this angelfish became the hardiest and easiest to breed in captivity.
- Leopold’s Angel (Pterophyllum leopoldi)
The Leopold’s Angel is a fairly rare imported. It looks nearly the same as the normal Angelfish, but its black bar patterning is a different bit. A couple of is had because of it vertical dark body bars, but is distinguished by a black blotch at the bottom of the dorsal final it doesn’t extend right into a full bar.
- Altum Angelfish. Orinoco Angelfish (Pterophyllum altum)
The Altum Angelfish. Orinoco Angelfish may be the largest of the three species. It really is distinguished by having a “notch” on the upper part of its snout accompanied by a steeply rising forehead, rather than flatter or slightly rounded forehead as on the other two species In color and pattern it is extremely similar. The fins may involve some red striations and on the adults, the dorsal fin may involve some red spots and a blue-green cast. But overall the color differences are subtle. It used to be that only wild-caught specimens of the Altum Angel could possibly be obtained. For a long time, this species was considered impossible to breed. More however recently, it’s been successfully bred by some hobbyists and captive bred specimens are actually occasionally available in addition to wild caught.
(Genetic angelfish)
This physical physique allows them to cover among roots and plants, on a vertical surface often. Naturally occurring angelfish longitudinally are generally striped, coloration which gives additional camouflage. The Angelfish are ambush prey and predators on small fish and macroinvertebrates. All Pterophyllum species form monogamous pairs. Eggs are laid on a submerged log or a flattened leaf generally. As may be the full case for other cichlids, brood care is developed.
Aquarist Experience Level: Beginner
Size of fish – inches: 6.0 inches (15.24 cm)
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gal (114 L)
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Aquarium Hardiness: Moderately hardy
Temperature: 75.0 to 82.0° F (23.9 to 27.8° C)
Lifespan : 8 – 10 years
Diet: Omnivore
Angelfish are probably the most kept freshwater aquarium fish commonly, along with the most kept cichlid commonly. They are prized for his or her unique shape, behavior, and color.
Angelfish are kept in a warm aquarium, ideally around 80°F (27°C). Angelfish prefer a well-planted tank of at least 30 gallons with soft, acidic water slightly. Driftwood and rocks could be put into the aquarium, but leave space for swimming plenty.
Angelfish are interested in their environment and may become very territorial, around breeding time especially. They’ll pair off and if any other fish tries to enter their territory they shall follow them. It’s best when trying to breed the Angelfish, to accommodate a genuine number of angels in the same aquarium until they pair off. After a pair is rolling out, a set surface must be provided where in fact the eggs could be laid. A bit of slate, a big plant leaf, or perhaps a flowerpot ought to be positioned at an angle around 30 degrees within an area of moderate water flow. The feminine shall lay the eggs and the male will observe behind to fertilize. After three days approximately, the eggs shall hatch and the fry will emerge. Feed the fry newly hatched brine shrimp until large enough to simply accept crushed flake food.
Angelfish must be fed a number of foods including vegetables in addition to meaty foods. Feed an excellent flake food in addition to live and frozen foods such as for example brine bloodworms and shrimp.
Freshwater Angelfish Aquarium varieties
Much of the research into the known genetics of P. scalare is the result of the research of Dr. Joanne Norton, who published a series of 18 articles in Freshwater and Marine Aquarium Magazine
- Silver Angelfish: This is the wild angelfish type. It is the standard which all other mutations and phenotypes are compared to. It has a silver body with 4 vertical black stripes (one through its eye). Most will have red eyes and can have some color on top.
- Zebra Angelfish: This is a Silver variety with extra vertical black stripes.
- Halfblack Silver Angelfish: This variety has a black rear portion.
- Black Lace Angelfish or Zebra Lace Angelfish: This variety has very attractive lacing in the fins.
- Albino Angelfish: This variety lacks pigments The eye pupils are pink as in all albino animals
- Ghost Angelfish: This is a Silver variety with just a stripe through the eye and tail.
- Smokey Angelfish: This variety has a dark brown/gray back half, and dark dorsal and anal fins.
- Chocolate Angelfish: This is a Smokey variety with more of the dark pattern and sometimes only the head is silver.
- Gold Angelfish: This variety is quite attractive, some will develop an intense orange crown.
- Gold Marble Angelfish: This is a Gold variety with black marbling.
- Marble Angelfish: This variety has more black pattern than Gold Marble does.
- Silver Gold Marble Angelfish: This variety is Silver with some Gold Marble.
- Gold Pearlscale Angelfish: This variety has a scale mutation. The scale has a wrinkled, wavy look that reflects light to create a sparkling effect.
- Koi Angelfish: This is a Gold variety with some marbling and a variable amount of orange.
- Sunset Blushing Veil Angelfish: On this variety the upper half of the fish exhibits orange, sometimes the body is a pinkish or tangerine, and juveniles have clear gill plates.
- Leopard Angelfish: The young have spots over most of their body. Most of these spots grow closer in the adult.
- Blue Blushing Angelfish: The body of this variety is actually gray with a bluish tint under the right light spectrum. An iridescent pigment develops as they age, appears blue under most lighting.
- Black Hybrid Angelfish: This variety is very and may look brassy when young.
- Lace: This variety is without complete stripes. Ghosts generally have more iridescence than non-ghosts.
- Platinum Angelfish: This is a newer phenotype developed from the Gold Angelfish. It has a white sheen when young and becomes tinted with green or blue as it matures.
- German Red Angelfish: This is a popular newer phenotype variety that has a is reddish hue all along the body. Be cautious, though, sometimes what is sold as this fish may be a Ghost Angelfish that’s been fed a red food coloring.
information from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pterophyllum