Freshwater angelfish
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
| Freshwater angelfish | ||||||||||||
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| Binomial name | ||||||||||||
| Pterophyllum altum (Pellegrin, 1903) |
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| Pterophyllum leopoldi (Gosse, 1963) |
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| Pterophyllum scalare (Lichtenstein, 1823) |
Freshwater angelfish are cichlids that originate around the Amazon River basin with a striking, compressed body shape and long extended dorsal and anal fins. The fish are often taller than they are long. There are three recognized species, all belonging to the genus Pterophyllum.
For aquarium breeding, the angelfish is a bad parent compared to many other cichlids, and quite often eats its young. The eggs are deposited on a bare rock, root or large leaf of some water plant, and the young are cared for by both parents.
However, when the breeding attempt is successful the parents keep close watch on the eggs until they become free swimming. Once they begin swimming the parents will clean them by sucking them into their mouths and spitting them out. Fry can be fed baby brine shrimp; frozen or fresh.
Angelfish inhabit slow waters in the Amazon region. Its shape allows it good protection among roots and plants, often on a vertical surface. It eats small invertebrates and is no danger to most other fish in an aquarium, however if a tankmate will fit into its mouth there is a good chance the angelfish will try to eat it.
Due to its peaceful temperament and appearance, it is one of the few cichlids that is commonly kept in decorative tanks or public displays with smaller types of fish.
P. scalare
The largest and best known species of Angelfish is Pterophyllum scalare. Its natural color is silvery with three brownish vertical stripes. It is very peaceful and a popular aquarium fish. Numerous decorative breeds exist, with varying color patterns and extended fins. These Angelfish inhabit swamps and flooded waters with dense vegetation. Its maximum size is around 12–15 cm (up to 6 inches) length, up to 20 cm (8 in.) height. These Angelfish prefer water with a 6.0–8.0 pH, a water hardness of 5.0–13.0 dGH, and a temperature range of 24–30°C (75–86°F).
P. altum
The Pterophyllum altum Angelfish species originates from rivers in the Amazon River basin where the upper Negro River drains, and from the Orinoco River basin. Its natural color is also silvery with three brownish vertical stripes. Some of the largest Angelfish are of this species, growing up to 18 cm (7 in) long and 20 cm (8 in) tall. These Angelfish prefer water with a 4.8–6.2 pH, a water hardness of 1.0–5.0 dGH, and a temperature range of 27–31°C (81–88°F).
The Pterophyllum altum is a river dwelling Angelfish species that originates from rivers in the Amazon River basin along the Solimões River, Amazon River, and Rupununi River.
See also
References
- "Pterophyllum" (TSN 169844). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. N.p.: Integrated Taxonomic Information System, 2004. Accessed on May 11, 2004.
- "Pterophyllum altum". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. April 2004 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2004.
- "Pterophyllum leopoldi". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. April 2004 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2004.
- "Pterophyllum scalare". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. April 2004 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2004.
