Angelfish Facts

Facts and Information About Freshwater Angelfish

Freshwater Angelfish come from a family of Cichlidae called Pterophyllum. There are three species found in this family, the P. Altum, P. Leopoliand and P. Scalare. Of these three the P. Scalare is the most popular and most common in the aquarium hobby. This site focuses mostly on the P. Scalare.

The P. Scalare is the most popular of the freshwater angelfish and is often called "silver angel" by hobbyists. Unlike other cichlids, Angelfish have a flat round body with a long triangular shaped dorsal and anal fin. Wild Angelfish often have a vertical striped pattern that acts as camouflage in the natural environment. An average Angelfish will grow to be around 4 inches in length and up to 8 inches in height.

These freshwater Angelfish are commonly found in the warm waters of Peru, Columbia and Brazil. They prefer the densely vegetated swamps and flooded forests where there is plenty of cover for protection and plenty of food. Their primary food consists of invertebrates, insect larvae and small fish.