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Cichlids
/ South America / Altum Angelfish
Angelfish
Pterophyllum scalare | Pictures
Synonyms:
Platax scalaris, Pterophyllum eimekei, Zeus scalaris
Physical description: A laterally compressed cichlid with a disc-shaped cichlid with large, elongated fins.
The
dorsal and anal fins stand tall and erect, while the caudal fin is fan-shaped.
The iris of the eye is often red in
color.
The coloration depends on the variety.
Size/Length: To 6" (15 cm)
Similar species: Altum Angel ( Pterophyllum
altum)
Habitat: Found in grassy, shore areas along the banks of lakes and slow-moving rivers.
South
America; Amazon, Peru, Ecuador, Brazil
S: middle
Aquarium: A 36" (91 cm) tank with a capacity of 35 gallons (132 L) is adult specimen.
Young
fish (under 2") can be kept in 20" (51 cm) or 10 gallon (38 L) tank.
The tank should be well-planted with
hardy plants.
Use roots, rocks, and bog wood for hiding places, but leave an open area for swimming.
Water chemistry: pH 5-7.5 (6.5), 1-20 dH (5), 75-82°F (24-28°C)
Social behavior: A peaceful cichlid that can be combined in community tanks with other calm, medium
to large sized fishes.
Do not combine with small slender fishes (Cardinals) for these will likely be eaten.
Angels
can be kept singly or in groups.
For pairing, raise a group of individuals from youth, and select a pair that forms.
Suggested companions: Catfish (Armored, Pimelodids, Doradids, Loricarids), characins (Headstanders, hatchetfish,
larger schooling tetras), cichlids (Angelfish, Discus, Waroo, Acaras, Ram, Eartheaters), gouramis, livebearers
that can tolerate neutral water conditions.
FOOD: Live; insects,
Tubifex, Brine Shrimp, insect larvae; flakes; pellets;
lettuce.
SEX: No external differences are distinguishable outside of spawning season.
Breeding techniques: Use
warmer water with a temperature from 81-86°F (27-30°C).
The female lays about 1000 eggs on previously
cleaned, vertical surfaces if they are available.
Otherwise the eggs may be laid on rocks or plants.
In any case, the parents carefully guard
the eggs, which hatch in 24-36 hours.
The fry hang from plants for another 4-5 days, before the parents move
them to a shallow pit.
At that time the fry should be fed on roftiers and nauplii.
Breeding potential: 7.
The Angelfish is not an especially easy fish to breed.
Once a pair forms breeding is possible
in clean tank with soft, acidic water.
Remarks: The Angelfish is one of the most popular cichlids.
Many different morphs have been developed
(Marbled, Black, Veil-tail, Golden, ect.).
Nearly all Angels available to the hobby are captive-bred.
During
courtship, males may emit an audible grating sound.
There is much debate as to how many species of angelfish there are.
Currently,
some ichthyologists recognize four species:
P. altum, P. dumerilli, P. leopoldi, and
P. scalare.
The
debate is whether P. dumerilli
and P.
leopoldi are synonyms of P. scalare.
Difficulty of care: 3.
The Angelfish is a hardy fish recommended for beginners.
An Angelfish will quickly outgrow a
ten-gallon (38 L) fish tank.
Recent articles about fish
Overfishing may hurt Amazon forest trees
(2/5/2008) Overfishing is reducing the effectiveness of seed dispersal by fish in the Brazilian Pantanal, reports Nature. The research suggests that fishing practices can affect forest health.
Scientists find fish that literally lives in trees
(10/17/2007) Scientists have found a fish that literally lives in trees, according to research published in The American Naturalist and highlighted in New Scientist Magazine.
Piranhas originated when Amazon was flooded by seawater
(12/4/2007) South America's piranha family of fish -- notorious as eaters of flesh -- can be traced back to a single ancestor which dispersed when the Amazon was flooded by seawater some five million years ago, report researchers from the Institut de Recherche Pour le Developpement (IRD). Today piranhas are exclusively freshwater fish found from the Orinoco River basin in Venezuela to the Parana in Argentina.
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