The angelfish, also known as a scalar, is a freshwater fish belonging to the family of cichlids. This fish, whose natural habitat is the Amazon River basin, is one of the most popular aquarium fish. Angelfish are one of the most beautiful and popular tank fish in America. They come in many different colors like yellow, blue, green, and black. If you want a new pet or need to stock your aquarium with some more fish, these colorful creatures may be just what you’re looking for!
The angelfish is a popular fish in aquariums because of its beautiful colors and peaceful demeanor. They are also quite easy to care for as they eat from the surface and do not require large amounts of food. The amazing thing about this fish is that it can live in both freshwater and saltwater, which makes them one of the most versatile species available. These fishes have many different shapes, sizes, and colors which make them perfect for any type of tank setup!
Characteristics of Angelfish
The angelfish is a species known as the king of fish for its beauty and majestic form. It is a fish that usually measures between 14 and 16 centimeters long and 20 to 22 centimeters high. It is characteristic of its triangular shape, which is due to its dorsal and anal fins being very large. Also, this breed has a large caudal fin. Its slender body allows it to move skillfully among the vegetation without being trapped.
In nature, the angelfish is gray-green, with some silver reflections, and 4 dark vertical stripes. The color can be intensified or attenuated according to your mood. This species of fish usually lives in gregarious groups in rivers of the Amazon basin, that is, in warm waters. You may also like to read Freshwater fish
The angelfish is a gregarious animal, so it needs to live with other angelfish and thus be able to establish its hierarchy. In general, it is a calm fish and admired by the serenity that transmits when swimming and moving. However, this breed can have moments of great aggression if it feels that territory is being invaded.
Feeding
Freshwater angelfish are, by nature, omnivorous, but usually tend to prefer a meat-based diet. In nature, the feeding of the angelfish is mainly composed of small crustaceans and aquatic invertebrates. But, aquariums, tend to accept a wide variety of foods. Angelfishes usually enjoy a variety of live foods. Including mosquito larvae, small shrimp, white worms, and other small insects and crustaceans.
As these fish are omnivores, they will also benefit from the addition of some plant material in their diet in the form of seaweed wafers or fresh vegetables.
Advice for Breeding
This species is notoriously difficult when it comes to establishing the genus. The physical differences that can be used to distinguish the sexes are often only visible during spawning. The male angelfish, for example, have smaller and more pronounced genital papillae than in females. You may also like to read Saltwater fish
But these may not be visible, except during mating periods. The males of the species can also show more aggressiveness or territorial behavior. The angelfish tend to reproduce in pairs. But since they are so difficult to differentiate the best is to start with a group of 6 young fish and wait for them to mate naturally as they mature
How much does an Angelfish live?
The angelfish usually has a life expectancy of between 5 and 8 years, depending on their quality of life and health. However, a relevant fact regarding their life expectancy is that they are cold-blooded fish. So they can live more or fewer years depending on the temperature of the water in which they live. If the temperature is high, its metabolism will be high, if the temperature is low, its metabolism will be below. But it will also have a less receptive immune system.
Types of Angelfish
Due to its elegant and colorful appearance, the angelfish is one of the most popular among lovers of aquariums. However, in this breed, we can find different varieties of freshwater angelfish.
Among them are:
- Smoke
- Albino
- Jet
- Blushing
- Chocolate
- Gold
- Ghost
- Golden marble
- Gray
- Half black
- Half striped
- Climbing koi
- Leopard
- Marble
- Pearl
- Wild
- Spotted
- Sunset
- Veil
- Zebra
Compatibility of the Angelfish with other Fish
It is important that the breeder be careful when collecting angelfish with other species, as they tend to be territorial. Among the fish compatible with the angelfish, two species stand out. One of them is the Corydoras Catfish, and the other is the dwarf Cichlid of Ramirez. In the same way, it can be combined with the species of medium-sized tetras, these are compatible with the angelfish. However, small fish are not suitable because they will be devoured.
Care of the Angelfish
It is important that the person who has an angelfish knows the needs of it. And more when the caregiver wants to add it to another aquarium, it is very common to die within a few weeks. Captive raised angelfish are adaptive to a wide range of water conditions, but they prefer slightly warmer waters.
The pH should be between 6.8 and 7.8 with hardness from 3°- 8pH (54 ppm-145ppm). Temperature is best kept at 78° – 84 °F or in the “golden zone.” Good filtration systems need to be maintained as well as performing weekly 10% water changes for optimum health!
Aquarium for Angelfish
The aquarium for the angelfish must have a great height since the angelfish is taller than long. Otherwise, it could not move comfortably because its fins would protrude from the water or touch the bottom of the aquarium. To house a single angelfish the aquarium must be at least 110 liters. For two specimens, the aquarium must have a minimum of 150 to 200 liters capacity.
Two males of this breed should never be placed together. People who have an angelfish are important to mature the aquarium for about a month if they want it to be in optimal conditions. The maturation of the aquarium consists of developing bacteria that are beneficial in the water and eliminating those that are harmful. So they can make a kit of beneficial bacteria to speed up the process and thus be able to introduce the first angelfish at 30 days. If in 2 months there has been no problem, you can add another angelfish depending on the capacity of the aquarium.
Water Quality
There are certain characteristics of water that must be taken care of. The parameters and conditions of the aquarium water are very important if the breeder wants the fish to be in the best conditions. That is why the water temperature should be between 25 and 26 degrees Celsius. The pH must of the water should be between 6.5 and 7 and should be free of nitrogen compounds.
The temperature should never exceed 28 degrees or we would be shortening the life expectancy of the fish. It is important that the breeder has available a thermometer and a water heater. It should also have a water filter with more capacity than the liters that the aquarium has, the most suitable is the waterfall type. A filter that makes noise and generates movement in the water can stress the angelfish. When the aquarium is cleaned, 20% of the water should be replaced every week, since it is a large fish and produces a lot of waste.
FAQ
How many angelfish should be kept together?
The number of angelfish that should be kept together depends on the size of the tank. Generally, it’s recommended to keep one angelfish per 10 gallons of water. If you have a larger tank, you may be able to keep more than one angelfish together. However, it’s important to remember that angelfish can be territorial and aggressive towards each other, so it’s important to watch their behavior closely when they are in close quarters.
What fish can be with angel fish?
Angel fish are a popular choice for aquariums, and they can be kept with many other types of fish. When choosing tank mates for angel fish, it is important to consider their temperament and size.
Is angelfish hard to keep?
Angelfish are generally considered to be easy to keep, making them a great choice for beginners. They are hardy fish that can tolerate a wide range of water conditions and don’t require any special care. However, they do need plenty of swimming space, so it’s important to provide them with an aquarium that is at least 20 gallons in size. Additionally, angelfish should only be kept with other peaceful tankmates as they can be territorial and aggressive towards other fish. With the right setup and tankmates, angelfish make great additions to any freshwater aquarium.
Conclusion
The angelfish, also known as a scalar, is a freshwater fish belonging to the family of cichlids. This fish, whose natural habitat is the Amazon River basin, is one of the most popular aquarium fish. Angelfish are one of the most beautiful and popular tank fish in America. They come in many different colors like yellow, blue, green, and black. The angelfish is a popular fish in aquariums because of its beautiful colors and peaceful demeanor. They are also quite easy to care for as they eat from the surface and do not require large amounts of food. The amazing thing about this fish is that it can live up to 15 years!
As a reference: Wikipedia
