Zebra Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare)

Taxonomy and identification

Pterophyllum scalare belongs to the family Cichlidae. It is commonly called the freshwater angelfish and is distinct from marine angelfish. Zebra is an aquarium strain or trade description rather than a separate species; it usually refers to a silver or pale base colour with multiple dark vertical bars. Aquarium strains may also have altered fin shape or additional colour. The supplied image set contains several colour and pattern forms, so exact strain identification is uncertain.

Distribution and habitat

The species is native to slow-moving and sheltered freshwater habitats in tropical South America, including parts of the Amazon basin and neighbouring river systems. It occurs among aquatic vegetation, roots and submerged branches, where its laterally compressed body allows movement through structure. Captive fish are commonly farm-bred, and the collection locality of this pair is not provided.

Behaviour and social needs

Angelfish are usually calm when young, but adults establish territories and may become assertive, especially when pairing or spawning. They often occupy the middle and upper levels of the aquarium. Keeping a compatible pair is possible, although an unpaired pair may still show aggression. Groups of juveniles can be raised together, but adults may form pairs and exclude others. Provide plants, wood or other visual barriers and avoid overcrowding.

Aquarium size and setup

A pair should have at least about 200 litres, with a larger aquarium preferable for long-term stability or community keeping. Height is particularly important because the extended dorsal and anal fins make angelfish appear much taller than their body length; around 50 cm or more of aquarium height is useful. Use gentle to moderate circulation, an efficient filter, open swimming space and broad-leaved plants or vertical decor. Keep the aquarium mature, covered and consistently maintained.

Water parameters

Maintain stable, clean, well-oxygenated water at 24-30 °C and pH 6.0-7.5. Soft to moderately hard water is generally suitable, but stability is more important than pursuing a particular value. Regular partial water changes, restrained stocking and a fully cycled filter help prevent stress. Avoid sudden changes in temperature, pH or hardness, and test for ammonia and nitrite whenever fish are introduced or the aquarium is disturbed.

Diet

Pterophyllum scalare is an opportunistic omnivore. Offer a varied staple diet of quality flakes or small pellets, supplemented with frozen or suitably prepared foods such as brine shrimp, mysis and bloodworm. Occasional vegetable matter can be included, particularly in a varied maintenance diet. Feed small portions once or twice daily, remove uneaten food and avoid relying heavily on rich live or frozen foods.

Compatibility

Suitable companions are peaceful to moderately assertive fish that are too large to swallow and do not nip long fins. Choose tank mates carefully because angelfish may eat very small tetras, fry or shrimp, while fin-nipping species can damage their trailing fins. Avoid combining them with highly aggressive cichlids, persistent fin nippers or fish requiring markedly different water conditions. During spawning, a pair may need a separate aquarium or additional territory.

Breeding

Angelfish are substrate spawners that usually lay adhesive eggs in vertical rows on a broad leaf, aquarium panel, slate or another cleaned surface. The pair typically cleans the site, alternates during spawning and fans the eggs. Hatching and early survival depend on warm, clean, well-oxygenated water. Parents may guard and tend the clutch, but inexperienced pairs sometimes eat eggs; separating the eggs or rearing the fry separately is an option. Newly free-swimming fry require very small foods, commonly freshly hatched brine shrimp.

Health and long-term care

Good filtration, quarantine of new fish, a varied diet and stable water reduce common aquarium problems. Watch for clamped fins, rapid breathing, loss of appetite, white spots, abdominal swelling or erosion of the long fins. Because the fish grows tall and can live for many years, plan the adult aquarium rather than selecting a tank only for juvenile size. Exact adult growth and lifespan depend on genetics, nutrition, water quality and disease prevention.