How big does Angelfish get?

Angelfish reaches an adult standard length of 10–15 cm (excluding the caudal fin). Size the tank for that, not for the juvenile you bring home — the difference is often several times over, and upgrading later costs more than buying once.

What water does Angelfish need?

24–29 °C, pH 6–7.5, 2–12 dGH, 1–5 dKH. At 5 °C wide it is one of the more forgiving ranges.

What is the smallest tank for Angelfish?

At least 150 L, and no shorter than 80 cm. That is the floor for long-term keeping, not for short-term survival: volume buys water stability and length buys swimming room, and neither substitutes for the other. It is not a schooling fish, so a single specimen or a pair is fine.

What is Angelfish like to keep?

Temperament: semi-aggressive. Difficulty: moderate. It occupies the middle and is carnivore. With plants it is "Leaves plants alone".

Can Angelfish be kept with its most common tank mate?

The checker returns "Not recommended together". Angelfish and Tiger Barb is a recorded conflict in this atlas. Predation, territorial fighting or conspecific aggression is the usual outcome, and a bigger tank does not change it.

G-01 / 20Freshwater

Angelfish神仙鱼

Pterophyllum scalare · Cichlidae

The tall, flat cichlid whose 25 cm fin span makes tank height as important as length.

Illustration to come

G-01 / 20 · Angelfish Pterophyllum scalare

SpecificationsFish atlas

Name: 神仙鱼
Scientific name: Pterophyllum scalare
Family: Cichlidae
Origin: Amazon basin, South America (Brazil, Peru, Colombia)
Adult size: 10–15 cm
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Diet: Carnivore
Water level: Middle
Level: Moderate
Min. tank: 150 L
Min. length: 80 cm
Plant safe: Leaves plants alone

Water requirementsFreshwater

Temp.24–29 °C

pH6–7.5

Hardness2–12 dGH

Alkalinity1–5 dKH

Units: temperature in °C, hardness in German degrees (dGH / dKH), marine salinity as specific gravity at 25 °C, volume in litres. These are the values recorded for the species and do not follow the site unit switcher.

Keeping notes

1Adults reach 25 cm with fins, so use a tank at least 45 cm tall or the fins curl.
2Swallows any fish that fits its mouth, so guppies and neons only work while the angelfish is young.
3Pairs turn strongly territorial and drive off everything while spawning, so give them their own tank.
4Carnivorous; rotate brine shrimp, bloodworm and pellets in soft, acidic water near 26 °C.

Check a tank mate

Jump straight to the verdict for Angelfish against this one — no need to pick it again.

Frequently asked questions

How big does Angelfish get?: Angelfish reaches an adult standard length of 10–15 cm (excluding the caudal fin). Size the tank for that, not for the juvenile you bring home — the difference is often several times over, and upgrading later costs more than buying once.
What water does Angelfish need?: 24–29 °C, pH 6–7.5, 2–12 dGH, 1–5 dKH. At 5 °C wide it is one of the more forgiving ranges.
What is the smallest tank for Angelfish?: At least 150 L, and no shorter than 80 cm. That is the floor for long-term keeping, not for short-term survival: volume buys water stability and length buys swimming room, and neither substitutes for the other. It is not a schooling fish, so a single specimen or a pair is fine.
What is Angelfish like to keep?: Temperament: semi-aggressive. Difficulty: moderate. It occupies the middle and is carnivore. With plants it is "Leaves plants alone".
Can Angelfish be kept with its most common tank mate?: The checker returns "Not recommended together". Angelfish and Tiger Barb is a recorded conflict in this atlas. Predation, territorial fighting or conspecific aggression is the usual outcome, and a bigger tank does not change it.