Best for
Aquariums where its role fits: centerpiece.
Fish · Freshwater
Angelfish
Pterophyllum scalare
The angelfish is an elegant cichlid that needs height, stability and carefully chosen tankmates. As a juvenile it may seem like a simple community fish, but adults develop hierarchy, territoriality and pair behavior.
Its tall body requires good water column height. In low or crowded tanks, stress and chasing increase.
Difficulty
Intermediate
Aggression
6/10
Schooling
Yes
Size
15.00 cm
Minimum volume
200 L
Temperature
24.0-28.0 ºC
Zone
Midwater
Lifespan
10 years
Quick profile scan
fish
Territoriality
High
Aggression
6/10
Activity
Moderate
Thermal sensitivity
Medium
Bioload
High
Speed
Moderate
Predation risk
Probable
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Analyze volume, parameters, behavior and relationships with other species.
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Quick verdict
A practical summary to quickly decide whether it fits your aquarium.
Avoid
Mixes marked as high risk or not recommended in manual relationships.
Compatible with
Has positive or conditional references with species such as Bronze cory.
Typical risk
Bioload and adult volume should be planned with margin.
Aquarium zone
Where it lives best
Surface
Midwater
primary
Bottom
Quick compatibility
Community signals
Shrimp
High risk
Snails
Compatible
Slow fish
Compatible
Aggressive fish
High risk
Small fish
High risk
Large fish
Conditional
Delicate plants
Compatible
Buying decision
Before buying Angelfish
Review these points before adding it to your aquarium. They are practical notes based on its profile, ecological data, and known relationships.
L
Adult volume
Make sure your aquarium is above 200 L before buying it.
G
Minimum group
Do not keep it alone if it needs a group; plan space for the right number of individuals.
T
Territory and cover
Prepare visual cover and calm areas if it will live with other species.
A
Vulnerable fins
Avoid fin nippers or very nervous fish that may harass it.
P
Prey risk
Do not mix it with fish or invertebrates that may fit in its adult mouth.
B
Bioload
Plan filtration, water changes, and total stocking: this species can heavily load the system.
Parameters
Water conditions
pH
6.0 - 7.5
GH
3 - 10
KH
1 - 5
Temperature
24.0 - 28.0 ºC
Growth and behavior
Juvenile to adult
Juvenile
As a juvenile it is usually more flexible and less dominant than an adult. Even so, it benefits from cover, stable parameters and tank mates that do not compete intensely in the midwater area.
Shift
The most important adult change is increased spatial and biological pressure, so the aquarium should be planned for the long term.
Adult
As an adult it may defend specific areas and increase pressure on tank mates that stay too close. The aquarium layout should include visually separated territories.
Ecological profile
Role and biological pressure
Centerpiece
Territorial Cichlid
Medium
High
Moderate
Probable
Profile: centerpiece species, with high bioload and primary use of the midwater area. It can adapt to calm communities, although it usually behaves better with compatible companions. It should not be mixed with fish or invertebrates small enough to fit in its mouth. Provide hiding places, visual barriers and enough room to prevent constant pressure. It is vulnerable to harassment from fast fish or fin-nipping species.
Ecological radar
profile
Territoriality
78%
Aggression
60%
Activity
52%
Thermal sensitivity
52%
Bioload
78%
Common mistakes
What to avoid
Keeping it in tanks below the recommended adult volume.
Keeping too few individuals for a social species.
Mixing it with species small enough to become prey.
Designing the aquarium without shelter or visual barriers.
Relations
Compatible with
✓
B
Bronze cory
Compatible
Main risk: Water parameters
Low risk
Pterophyllum scalare + Corydoras aeneus: cohabitation is usually viable if volume, parameters, groups and adult behavior are respected.
S
Sterbai cory
Compatible
Main risk: Water parameters
Low risk
Pterophyllum scalare + Corydoras sterbai: cohabitation is usually viable if volume, parameters, groups and adult behavior are respected.
Guppy
Conditional
Main risk: Water parameters
Review conditions
Pterophyllum scalare + Poecilia Reticulata: territoriality, dominance or competition for calm areas of the aquarium may occur.
Siamese Fighting Fish
Conditional
Main risk: Water parameters
Review conditions
Betta splendens + Pterophyllum scalare: territoriality, dominance or competition for calm areas of the aquarium may occur.
Zebra danio
Conditional
Main risk: Water parameters
Review conditions
Pterophyllum scalare + Danio rerio: activity level and swimming style may be poorly matched and cause sustained stress.
Relations
Avoid keeping with
!
G
Goldfish
Not recommended
Main risk: Thermal stress
Not recommended
Carassius auratus + Pterophyllum scalare: this combines coldwater or temperate species with tropical species that need different temperatures.
Oscar
High risk
Main risk: Water parameters
High risk
Astronotus ocellatus + Pterophyllum scalare: territoriality, dominance or competition for calm areas of the aquarium may occur.
C
Cherry shrimp
High risk
Main risk: Predation
High risk
Pterophyllum scalare + Neocaridina davidi: shrimp, fry or small invertebrates may be at risk from curiosity, harassment or opportunistic predation.
T
Tiger barb
High risk
Main risk: Fin nipping
High risk
Puntigrus tetrazona + Pterophyllum scalare: there is a risk of fin nipping, harassment or stress in slow, nervous or long-finned species.
Essential care
Prioritize tall aquariums with plants or vertical roots. Avoid very small fish that may be treated as prey and fin-nipping species. Schooling tankmates should be large enough and calm.
Related biomes
Classification
Cichlids
Breeding
It forms pairs and lays eggs on vertical surfaces. During breeding it may defend an area strongly. In community tanks, eggs or fry are often eaten unless the pair is separated.
Alerts and health
Editorial confidence
Last review: June 2026
Content based on parameters, ecological profiles and manual relationships.
Profile data
Ecological profile
Manual relationships
General aquarium observation
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