Page 142 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

140 FRESHWATER FISH DIRECTORY

Pterophyllum scalare
Angelfish Coloration is
Semitransparent fins brighter on
upperparts
ORIGINS South America, occurring through much of the
Amazon basin, eastward from Peru to Belem, Brazil.
SIZE 6 in (15 cm).
DIET Prepared foods, vegetable matter, small live foods.
WATER Temperature 75–82°F (24–28°C); soft
(50–100 mg/l) and acidic (pH 6.5).
TEMPERAMENT Relatively peaceful, but territorial. First band
passes through
This graceful cichlid is among the most popular the eye
of all tropical fish. Young Angelfish are sometimes
recommended for community aquariums, but
their long fins make easy targets for fin-nippers Long, narrow
pelvic fins
such as Tiger Barbs (see p.83). Furthermore,
Angelfish will soon grow too large for the tank
and may start to bully their companions. It is best Silver Angelfish This variety most closely approximates Golden Angelfish Originally known as the Butterball,
to house these fish in a single-species setup, where to the wild form, displaying the characteristic four- the Golden Angelfish was first developed in the United
a pair may be persuaded to breed. The only way banded patterning. The intensity of the black bands will States during the 1970s. The trend has since been to
of visually distinguishing the sexes is when the fade somewhat if the fish are kept under bright light. create individuals with a deeper, more orange appearance.
female swells with eggs prior to spawning.
In the early stages of pair-bonding, the fish lock or a rigid leaf of one of the larger Amazon the first time may produce a much smaller number
jaws and engage in mouth-wrestling, which may Swordplants (Echinodorus spp.) Surround the of eggs and then eat them, but they will usually
be mistaken for aggression. The spawning site is thermostatic heater with mesh to dissuade the fish spawn again within a month.
usually a vertical surface, such as a piece of slate from spawning nearby; heat will destroy the eggs. The newly hatched fry are transferred to a pit
Angelfish eggs are susceptible to fungus, so you may excavated in the substrate, where they are watched
need to add fungicide to the water. The female lays over by both parents. Feed the young on fry food
up to 1,000 eggs, which the pair guards until they initially and then on brine shrimp. When they are
hatch three days later. A young pair breeding for free-swimming, they may nibble mucus off the
flanks of the adults to supplement their diet.

Black Angelfish The black pigmentation
on the fins and body of these fish keeps
their striped patterning largely hidden.
The body also shows green iridescence.

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