Fish of the Month!

The common Angelfish, Pterophylum scalare, is a species of tropical cichlid found in both the Amazon and Orinoco basins of South America. The Angelfish lives up to its name with their long, flowing fins and elegant delta of a body. Coloration ranges from the relatively dull wild variations to modern, fancy bred “Koi” patterns. There are also a variety of fancy fin types available, leading to near endless combinations of Fancy Angelfish. Recognizable even to those not in the aquarium hobby, the Angelfish is a staple species for beginners and expert aquarists alike.

While not a commonly aggressive species, angelfish can become quite aggressive when forming mating pairs. Breeding angelfish is quite simple; so long as a mature male and female are present in an aquarium, it’s only a matter of time until the two pair off. While there are a number of methods of sexing angelfish, one of the simplest is to check their papilla. Located between the ventral and anal fins, a male’s papilla will be sharp and needle shaped, while the female’s is more cylindrical. Once the pair has been established, all that’s left to do is turn up the heat – literally. While most aquariums are maintained at 78°, while breeding angelfish the aquarium water should be raised to 80°-82°. The rise in temperature should trigger mating behavior, and the angels will begin cleaning a site for spawning, typically a flat, smooth surface. The angelfish will clean the location until its free of algae and debris that might cause the eggs not to stick properly. Once the eggs are laid and fertilized it is only a few weeks until there are free swimming fry.