This type has the shortest lifespan in the group.Īlbinos aren’t found in nature often, and they’re incredibly susceptible to disease. Unfortunately, even if you do everything correctly, your albino angelfish won’t live very long. That’s right – these fish represent a natural genetic aberration. This harkens back to the original angelfish the mutation came from. If you catch your albino in the right light, you CAN perceive pale gold stripes along the sides. If you want something a little out of the ordinary, the albino angelfish might suit your tastes.Īs you can guess, these fish have a complete lack of pigment with stereotypical pink eyes. Not everyone wants flash and drama for their community tank. Albino Angelfish ( Pterophyllum scalare var. Most have silver bodies with bars of brownish-red.Īnd as they’re the largest in the group, they make excellent centerpiece fish. And they still look stunning in an aquarium. The good news is you’ll get a sturdier angelfish than the flashier types. You need to bump the heater slightly to 82-90 F (28-32 C), increase the acidity to 4.8-6.2, and keep your water soft (no higher than 5 dH). You’ll also see them under the name Orinoco angelfish or blue angelfish.Īs altums come from the original habitat, they’re more demanding in their tank needs.

These angelfish are the largest in the group, and they’re usually wild-caught. If you have your heart set on one, you may need to research a reputable breeder. Altum Angelfish ( Pterophyllum altum) Wild Peruvian Altum AngelfishĪltums aren’t as common in the aquarium trade. Inbreeding weakens a fish’s natural immunity. When you start looking for a specific type, remember adults will have a stronger color than juveniles.Īlso, the more dramatic the appearance of your freshwater angelfish, the more prone it will be to disease. The different types of freshwater angelfish available today resulted from careful selective breeding.Īquarists took specific qualities (color, patterns, fin length) and paired them together to create the varieties you find in pet stores. The genus comes from the Latin for “fin-leaf” and refers to its iconic shape. In the wild, you find angelfish in the river basins of Brazil, Columbia, French Guiana, Guyana, and Peru.ĭespite the numerous types, there are only three species: the common (Pterophyllum scalare), the altum (Pterophyllum altum), and the Leopold’s (Pterophyllum leopoldi). They gravitate toward tributaries with rich plantings and sandy bottoms. Wild Angelfish, Leopold’s Angelfish up, and Peruvian Altum Angelfish downĪngelfish come from South America. Their elegant fins trail behind them as they swim, adding just the right touch of sophistication. These striking members of the cichlid family (Cichlidae) add color and drama to any tank. Freshwater aquarium aficionados all aspire to add angelfish to their collection.

Freshwater angler fish