Family: Cichlidae
Distribution: Pterophyllum scalare, sometimes known as Freshwater Angelfish, is a benthopelagic species found in the Amazon River basin, in Peru, Columbia and Brazil, along the Soilimoes, Ucayali and Amazon rivers. It is also found in Amapa, Brazil; the Essequibo River, Guyana; and the Rio Oyapock in French Guiana. It is distributed in swampy, flooded grounds – usually in areas of dense vegetation – and in clear waters.
PH: 6.0 – 8.0
Temperature: 24°C – 30C (75 – 86F)
Hardness: 5 – 13 dH
Description: Pterophyllum scalare can reach a maximum length of 8 cm. This species is one of the most popular choices for hobbyists, thanks to its unique, colourful appearance. The Freshwater Angelfish has very high dorsal and anal fins, and a veil-tail that adds 3 – 4 inches to its width and length. This species is generally a silver colouration with white and black stripes. Pterophyllum scalare can live from 8 – 10 years.
Diet: Pterophyllum scalare is quite flexible when it comes to feeding and will accept any flake and pellet foods. You should offer it granules, tubifex, small worms, tablets, spinach and lettuce to maintain its health.
Breeding: Pterophyllum scalare is an egg-laying species that should be bred in pairs. Females will lay eggs on a rock – or a plant – and the male will fertilise the eggs. This will repeat until there are between 100 – 1200 eggs, depending on how healthy the female is. Both parents will care for the brood; the eggs hatch within a few days and the fry will stay attached to the spawning substrate. You can feed the fry newly hatched brine shrimp.
Comments: You should tank this species in a tank with a length of 100 cm; a 20 gallon tank may be sufficient. The Freshwater Angelfish will feel comfortable in an environment as close to their natural habitat as possible, so add plenty of plants to your tank and make sure the water isn’t too shallow; this species enjoys a tall aquarium. Provide rocks for spawning sites. Pterophyllum scalare is easy to look after and is suitable for newcomers to the hobby.
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Recommended Compatible Species: Pterophyllum scalare will live happily with most large Tetra species. They are also great tank mates with Discus, Apistogramma‘s like Apistogramma Cacatouides and Apistogramma Borelli, Corydoras Catfish (particularly Corydoras Sterbai and Corydoras aeneus) Angelfish, Clown loach, the common Guppy and Platy and most Gourami (such as the Blue Gourami and Dwarf Gourami like the Honey Gourami) Also can live happily with most Danio (particularly the Zebra Danioand Pearl Danio) and also many Killifish make great tank mates.
Originally posted 2010-01-18 07:59:23. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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