Angelfish Care Guide — The Graceful Cichlid
Elegant, intelligent and full of personality, the freshwater angelfish is a community-tank favourite. This guide covers tank size, water, feeding, tank mates and health so yours can flourish.
Meet the Angelfish
The freshwater angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare) is a cichlid from the slow rivers and flooded forests of the Amazon basin. Its distinctive tall, triangular body and long trailing fins evolved to slip between submerged roots and reeds. Decades of breeding have produced silver, koi, marble, zebra, black and veil-tail varieties, all sharing the same graceful shape and curious, interactive nature.
Angelfish are a great step up for hobbyists ready for something with more presence than a school of tetras. The keys to success are a tall tank, warm clean water, a varied diet and carefully chosen tank mates.
Core Care
Give Them Height
Angelfish are tall, laterally compressed cichlids that need vertical swimming room. Choose a tank at least 45 cm tall and 120 litres or more for a small group. Cramped or short tanks stunt them and increase aggression.
Warm, Soft-ish Water
As Amazon natives, angels prefer 25–29 °C and slightly soft, neutral water. Keep parameters stable and nitrate low with regular water changes. They are hardier than discus but still appreciate clean, warm conditions.
Feed a Varied Omnivore Diet
A quality flake or cichlid pellet base supplemented with frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp and the occasional blanched vegetable keeps angels colourful and healthy. Feed once or twice a day, only what they finish in a couple of minutes.
Manage the Pecking Order
Angelfish form hierarchies and can bully each other, especially when pairing. Keep a group of five or six juveniles to spread aggression, provide tall plants and driftwood to break sightlines, and be ready to separate a bonded pair at breeding time.
Tank Mate Compatibility
Avoid fin nippers and anything small enough to be eaten.
| Fish | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Corydoras catfish | Good | Peaceful bottom dwellers that stay out of the angel’s space |
| Rummynose / lemon tetra | Good | Larger, calm tetras that are too big to be eaten |
| Bristlenose pleco | Good | Peaceful algae eater, ignores angels |
| Neon tetra | Risky | Small enough to be eaten by adult angels |
| Tiger barb / serpae tetra | Avoid | Notorious fin nippers that shred angel fins |
| Guppy / betta | Avoid | Long fins invite nipping; betta clashes over territory |
Common Angelfish Health Issues
Clean water and a varied diet prevent most of these.
Ich (White Spot)
Signs: White specks, flicking
Fix: Raise temperature gradually, ich medication, clean water
Hexamita / Hole-in-Head
Signs: Pitting on the head, stringy white feces
Fix: Improve water quality and diet; metronidazole treatment
Fin Rot
Signs: Frayed, receding fins
Fix: Water changes, remove fin nippers, antibacterial treatment
Bloat
Signs: Swollen belly, loss of appetite
Fix: Vary diet, add fibre, avoid overfeeding
Frequently Asked Questions
How big of a tank do angelfish need?
Because angelfish grow tall — up to about 15 cm in body height with even taller fins — they need a tank at least 45 cm tall and 120 litres or more for a small group. A single pair can be kept in a bit less, but more height and volume reduce aggression and let them show their full graceful shape.
Do angelfish eat other fish?
Yes, adult angelfish will eat fish small enough to fit in their mouths, which is why tiny species like neon tetras are risky tank mates. They are opportunistic omnivores, not aggressive predators, so larger peaceful fish are safe. Choose tank mates that are too big to swallow and not fin nippers.
Are angelfish aggressive?
Angelfish are semi-aggressive cichlids. They are generally peaceful in a community of appropriately sized fish, but they establish a pecking order among themselves and become territorial when breeding. Keeping a group of five or six and providing tall plants and décor to break up sightlines helps spread out and reduce aggression.
What water temperature do angelfish like?
Angelfish thrive at 25–29 °C, reflecting their warm Amazon origins. A reliable heater is essential in most homes. Stable warmth supports their immune system and encourages natural behaviour and breeding. Sudden temperature drops stress them and can trigger disease such as ich.
Can angelfish live with tetras?
It depends on the tetra. Large, calm tetras like rummynose, lemon and black skirt tetras make excellent companions. Small tetras such as neons can be eaten by adult angels, and fin-nipping species like serpae tetras will damage the angels’ flowing fins. Choose larger, peaceful shoaling fish.
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