Silver Angel

Silver Angelfish Scientific Name: Pterophyllum scalare
Recommended Aquarium: 30+ Gallons
Approx. Adult Size: 7 inches
Temperament: Semi Aggressive
Ease of Care: Easy
Diet: Omnivore
Native Waters: South America

While the Silver Angel is closest to the wild type, nearly all Angelfish available for the aquarium are farm raised and/or farm developed color morphs. The Silver Angelfish has a basic silver body with three prominent black stripes. They will require a fair amount of cover, either plants or driftwood to feel “at home”. Juveniles will school, and later they will start to pair off. Once the pair bond is established, the pair may become territorial and keep other Angels from “their” territory. Angels prefer softer, acidic water, but since nearly all are now farm raised, you may see spawning under less than natural conditions. As an omnivore, Angelfish will eat most prepared diets and love a treat of live worms. They will require good water quality, so frequent partial water changes are required. Tankmates can include most of the “community fish”, as long as they are too large to be eaten by the Angelfish and are not fin nippers. It is probably safe to say that almost everyone who has a freshwater aquarium has had Angelfish at one time or another.