Freshwater angelfish size: how big does it get?

Adults reach about 15 cm. Record sizes among the 189 Cichlidae species on LumaReef: 3 cm (Viejita Dwarf Cichlid) to 80 cm (Giant Tanganyika Cichlid).

Freshwater angelfish tank size: what is the minimum?

A tank at least 100 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Wide tank or larger.

Freshwater angelfish water parameters: what does it need?

Temperature 24–29 °C, pH 6.0–7.5, hardness 3–12 °dGH. Close to what most Cichlidae on LumaReef need (23–28 °C).

Freshwater angelfish tank mates: what can it live with?

It gets along with 53 of the 99 freshwater species in the catalogue, such as Bristlenose pleco, Sailfin molly, and Boesemani rainbowfish.

FreshwaterIn the market180 coinsUncommon

Freshwater angelfish

Pterophyllum scalare

It glides slowly among the plants like a tall and very flat sail.

The Freshwater angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare) is a tropical freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae. It swims in midwater, close to the bottom. Adults grow to about 15 cm. In the aquarium it needs a tank at least 100 cm long and water at 24–29 °C.

Size: 15 cm
Smallest tank: 100 cm
Temperature: 24–29 °C
Care: Moderate

In the aquarium

Temperature24–29 °C

pH6.0–7.5

Hardness3–12 °dGH

Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Diet: Omnivore
Activity: Calm
Water layer: Mid water
Group: Lives on its own
Plants: Plant safe

These values are compiled from real species data, and the LumaReef simulation is built to keep them true to life.

Which tank it fits

Nano60 cm · 65 litresToo small
Standard90 cm · 180 litresToo small
Wide120 cm · 300 litres16 of them
Living room180 cm · 650 litres36 of them
Showcase250 cm · 1,200 litres66 of them
Gallery300 cm · 1,440 litres80 of them

Who it lives with

Gets along53 species

and 29 more species

Caution37 species

Narrow shared temperature range

Not together9 species

Water temperatures do not overlap

These two do not get along

In the wild

Water type: Freshwater
Climate zone: Tropical
Habitat: Midwater, close to the bottom
Aquarium trade: Very common

Conservation status

Classification

OrderCichliformes
FamilyCichlidae
GenusPterophyllum
SpeciesPterophyllum scalare
Described byLichtenstein, 1823

In other languages

German: Skalar
Spanish: Pez angel
French: Scalaire
Dutch: Gewone maanvis
Russian: Обыкновенная скалярия
Japanese: エンゼルフィッシュ
Chinese: 大神仙魚

Quick answers

Freshwater angelfish size: how big does it get?: Adults reach about 15 cm. Record sizes among the 189 Cichlidae species on LumaReef: 3 cm (Viejita Dwarf Cichlid) to 80 cm (Giant Tanganyika Cichlid).
Freshwater angelfish tank size: what is the minimum?: A tank at least 100 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Wide tank or larger.
Freshwater angelfish water parameters: what does it need?: Temperature 24–29 °C, pH 6.0–7.5, hardness 3–12 °dGH. Close to what most Cichlidae on LumaReef need (23–28 °C).
Freshwater angelfish tank mates: what can it live with?: It gets along with 53 of the 99 freshwater species in the catalogue, such as Bristlenose pleco, Sailfin molly, and Boesemani rainbowfish.
Freshwater angelfish: alone or in a group?: It can be kept on its own.
Freshwater angelfish and plants: is it plant safe?: Yes, it leaves plants alone.