Can I keep Angelfish with Neon Tetras?

It is generally not recommended. While they may coexist when the Angelfish is young, a fully grown Angelfish will naturally view small, slender fish like Neon Tetras as food.

How many Angelfish should I keep together?

It is best to start with a group of 5 to 6 juveniles and allow them to naturally form pairs as they mature. In tanks under 250 litres, you may need to rehome the others once a pair establishes a territory.

Do Angelfish absolutely need a tall tank?

Yes. An adult Angelfish can easily reach 20 cm in height from the tip of its dorsal fin to its pelvic fins. A tank shallower than 45 cm will cause their fins to bend, resulting in permanent stunting and stress.

Why are my Angelfish fighting?

As cichlids, Angelfish can become highly territorial, especially when they reach sexual maturity. Fighting usually occurs when pairs are forming, defending a spawning site, or if the aquarium lacks sufficient space and line-of-sight breaks.

How can I tell if my Angelfish is male or female?

It is extremely difficult to sex them visually until they are actively breeding. When spawning, the female's breeding tube (papilla) is broad and blunt, while the male's is smaller and more pointed.

FreshwaterTropicalIntermediate

Common Angelfish

Pterophyllum scalare

Majestic and instantly recognisable, the Common Angelfish is a staple of the tropical aquarium known for its striking disc-like shape and elegant fins.

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Ideal Conditions

Temperature: 24 – 30 °C
pH range: 6 – 7.4
Hardness: 2 – 15 dGH
Adult size: 12 – 15 cm
200 Litres (for a pair or small juvenile group): 200 litres+
Lifespan: 10 – 15 years
Diet: Omnivore
Water flow: Low to moderate
Preferred setup: Tall aquarium (minimum 45 cm high) with broad-leaved plants and vertical driftwood branches.

About the Common Angelfish

Native to the Amazon Basin, Pterophyllum scalare is arguably the most iconic freshwater aquarium fish. Their tall, laterally compressed bodies allow them to navigate effortlessly through dense submerged vegetation in the wild. While decades of captive breeding have produced dozens of stunning colour varieties, they still retain their quintessential cichlid intelligence and grace. To keep them thriving, aquarists must provide a sufficiently tall aquarium to accommodate their impressive finnage and prevent stunting.

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Is it right for your tank?

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Where Common Angelfish comes from

Native range

Amazon Basin, Orinoco Basin, Essequibo River

Countries / regions

Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Guyana

Habitat

Slow-moving rivers, swamps, and flooded forests, typically amidst dense submerged vegetation and tree roots.

Most specimens in the aquarium trade are heavily line-bred in captivity and rarely imported from the wild.

Similar species

Altum Angelfish
Pterophyllum altum
Leopold's Angelfish
Pterophyllum leopoldi
Discus
Symphysodon aequifasciatus

We’re adding more full species guides as the catalogue grows.

Compatible tank mates

Reviewed guidance based on this species' recorded traits.

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Rummy-nose Tetra
Hemigrammus rhodostomus
Fast enough to avoid predation and grow too large to be eaten by adult Angelfish.
Great
Bronze Corydoras
Corydoras aeneus
Peaceful bottom dwellers that completely ignore the mid-to-top dwelling Angelfish.
Great
Bristlenose Pleco
Ancistrus sp.
Excellent algae eaters that stick to surfaces and have no territorial overlap with Angelfish.
Great
Tiger Barb
Puntigrus tetrazona
Notorious fin-nippers that can severely damage the long, delicate trailing fins of an Angelfish.
Compatible with caution
Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid
Apistogramma cacatuoides
Both are cichlids and may compete for bottom-to-mid territory, especially during breeding.
Compatible with caution
Neon Tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
Natural prey in the wild; as the Angelfish grows, these small tetras will inevitably become an expensive snack.
Not recommended
Cherry Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi
Small ornamental shrimp will be actively hunted and eaten by opportunistic Angelfish.
Not recommended

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