Beginner Care Guide of Angel Fish
Experience level: Intermediate for a tropical semi-aggressive community
Common Name: Angelfish
Scientific Name: Pterophyllum scalare
Origin: Amazon Region of South America
Average Size: Approximately 8 inches in height, with fins included.
Life Span: 10 – 12 years
pH: 6.3 – 7.3
Temperature: 23°C – 27°C
Water Hardness: 5 to 13 dH
Variety: Silver, Marble, Zebra, Black Lace, Golden, Black, Half Black and etc.
Trait & Behavior:
Diet:
Instead of plants, aquatic crustaceans, worms and aquatic larvae are also preferably by them.
Swimming Behavior:
Angelfish swimming at the middle of an aquarium.
Behavior:
Angelfish are shy and like a well-planted tank to provide plenty of cover areas. However, angelfish can be aggressive on small fish.
In generally, they are peaceful and compatible with same sized fish but well eat the small fish that enough fit to their mouth size.
Environment:
Aquarium Placement:
Keep away the aquarium from direct sunlight and electronic goods.
Aquarium Stand:
A suitable aquarium stand will safely support your aquarium.
Aquarium Size:
A good rule of thumb is 4 liters of water for every 1 inch of full-grown fish.
Decoration:
Decorate the bedding of the aquarium with sandy substrate and with plenty of crack or caves for them to hide.
Lighting:
A 6 -8 hours of lighting is needed for them and avoid extended exposure of lighting to prevent the growth of algae.
Water Temperature:
It is recommended to use Aquael Heater or Chaning Heater to maintain the water temperature in the range between 23°C – 27°C.
Water Change:
Advised weekly change 10% of your aquarium water. Change at least 25% of aquarium water monthly by using cleaning tools.
General compatibility:
Barbs, Cory Cats, Danios, Minnows, Gouramis, Loaches, Mollies, Platies, Plecostomus, Rasbora, Swordtails, Tetras, Rainbow Fish and Angelfish.
Nutrition:
Staple Diet:
Provide them with flake or fish pellets. Tetra Min which contains high nutritional value for healthy and colorful fish are a good choice of food.
Supplement:
JBL Atvitol can be fed to improve and strengthen their health as well.
Specialty foods:
Angelfish like to enjoy bloodworms, brine shrimps and daphnia. Feed them occasionally to provide them more nutrients as needed.
Feeding:
Depending on the species and size of fish, feed small amounts 1 -2 times daily. Take off any uneaten fish food after 2 – 3 minutes with Nirox Fish Net.
Health:
Sign of healthy:
- Clear eye
- Smooth and clean in appearance
- Healthy appetite
- Calm and steady gill movement
- Bright and even coloring
Sign of illness:
- Loss of body coloration or appetite
- Lying on the bottom of aquarium
- Poor growth or weight loss
- Fins clamped to sides
- Scraping body on rocks
If you notice any illness sign (s), please to test water quality and improve it if necessary.
Importance:
- Avoid fish tank from being overcrowded as it may cause stress to fish and a higher chance for them to get sick.
- Regular water changes and an appropriate filtration is needed to maintain a good water quality.
- Check water quality by using JBL Test Kit at lease once a week.
- Wash hand with soap after each time handling your aquarium.