With their long, flowing fins and striking color patterns, fancy angelfish are one of the most beautiful freshwater fish available. Selectively bred for generations, fancy angelfish display a level of elegance unmatched by their wild cousins. This in-depth guide covers everything you need to know to raise healthy, thriving fancy angelfish.
Introduce Fancy angelfish
Fancy angelfish are a domestically bred variety of the popular angelfish cichlid. They are distinguished by their vivid colors and exaggerated finnage like long, flowing fins. Some popular varieties are black lace, marble, and koi angelfish. Their graceful appearance makes them a stunning addition to large community tanks.
General Information
- Origin: Fancy angelfish have been selectively bred from the wild angelfish species Pterophyllum scalare found in South America.
- Size: At full growth, fancy angelfish reach 6-8 inches in length. Their fins make them appear even larger.
- Lifespan: With proper care, fancy angelfish typically live 5-10 years in captivity.
- Temperament: Fancy angelfish are generally peaceful cichlids that can be kept in community tanks. They may show mild aggression towards each other.
- Appearance: Fancy angelfish have an elongated, triangular body shape. Selective breeding has enhanced color patterns and produced extra long dorsal, anal, and tail fins.
- Popular Varieties: Common types of fancy angelfish include marble, black lace, gold, silver, pearlscale, blushing, and koi angelfish displaying unique color patterns.
- Price: On average, fancy angelfish cost between $10-$30 each depending on their color and finnage. Show quality fish can cost $50-$100.
Habitat and Tank Requirements
- Natural Habitat: Wild angelfish inhabit slow-moving streams, ponds, and swamps in South America, especially the Amazon River basin. They stay close to submerged wood and vegetation.
- Tank Size: A minimum 29 gallon aquarium is recommended for fancy angelfish, with an even larger tank preferred. They need ample swimming room.
- Water Parameters: Fancy angelfish do best in soft, slightly acidic water from 76-84°F, pH 6.5-7.5. Good filtration and moderate water movement should be provided.
- Tank Setup: A natural planted aquarium with driftwood, rock formations, and dim lighting is ideal. Ensure plenty of open swimming space.
Feeding
- Diet: Fancy angelfish are omnivores and should be fed a mixture of meaty and plant-based foods. Offer quality flakes and pellets along with treats like blackworms, brine shrimp, and vegetables.
- Feeding Habits: Angelfish are leisurely but determined feeders. They will slowly forage on any food they find appetizing and are not overly active. Feed 1-2 times per day.
Suitable Foods:
- High-quality angelfish pellets
- Bloodworms
- Brine shrimp
- Daphnia
- Blanched spinach
- Spirulina flakes
- Shrimp pellets
Breeding
- Reproduction: Fancy angelfish form monogamous pairs and exhibit external fertilization. The female deposits hundreds of eggs on a spawning site which the male then fertilizes. No parental care after hatching.
- Breeding Requirements: Condition potential pairs with high protein foods. Provide a spawning surface like a cone. Keep water very soft and acidic for breeding, around 76-78°F.
- Spawning Process: The pair cleans the spawning site prior to the female depositing 200-1000 eggs in a cluster. The male follows behind, fertilizing the eggs which then adhere. Eggs hatch in 2-3 days. Move parents immediately after spawning.
Common Health Issues
- Overall, Angelfish are fairly hardy, but may encounter:
- Parasites – Use quarantine and medications.
- Fin Rot – Improve water quality and antibiotics. Avoid aggression.
- Constipation – Soak foods, feed peas, add fiber to diet.
- Ich – Raise temperature, treat with medications.
Prevent illness through pristine water, nutritious foods, and reducing stress like aggression between fish.
Special Considerations
- Compatibility: Angelfish can be kept with similarly-sized peaceful fish that won’t nip fins. Avoid very small or aggressive species. Introduce tankmates simultaneously.
- Special Care: Perform extra water changes to keep nitrates low, which fancy angelfish are sensitive to. Monitor aggression between individuals, remove bullies.
- Legal Restrictions: None. Fancy angelfish are very common in the aquarium trade. No regulations on keeping or breeding them.
Compatible Tankmates
- Mollies
- Platies
- Swordtails
- Tetras
- Rainbowfish
- Plecos
- Corydoras
Sexing Fancy Angelfish
Males are generally smaller with a more pointed genital papilla. Females develop a noticeably rounded belly when egg-laden. Pairs often form strong bonds and stay close together. Final sex determination requires venting examination.
“How many species of angelfish?”
There is only one parent species, Pterophyllum scalare. The hundreds of color varieties and finnage types of fancy angelfish are all domestically bred selections from this one wild species.
“How to feed angelfish to make their color brighter?”
A nutritious diet with plenty of spirulina, krill, veggies, and color-enhancing pellets helps fancy angelfish exhibit vibrant colors. Keep water clean for best coloration.
“How Big do angelfish Grow?”
On average, fancy angelfish grow to reach 6-8 inches in length when fully grown. Their flowing fins add to their perceived size and grandeur. Some varieties may remain slightly smaller.
“How fast do angelfish grow?”
Fancy angelfish exhibit relatively quick juvenile growth, potentially reaching 3 inches within their first 6 months. Their growth rate slows as they mature. Most will be full grown after 12-18 months.
“How long do angelfish live?”
With excellent care, fancy angelfish typically live 5-10 years in home aquariums. Their lifespan is a couple years longer than wild angelfish on average due to selective breeding.
“How to take care of angelfish?”
Perform extra water changes, feed a varied diet, maintain warm, soft, acidic water, decorate tank heavily, and monitor aggression. Introduce tankmates carefully and watch for illness.
“Which food products are the best for angelfish?”
Hikari Cichlid Gold, Cobalt Aquatics flake, and Omega One pellets offer balanced nutrition. Supplement with live/frozen foods.
“Is good to keep angelfish as Pets?”
Yes, fancy angelfish make stunning display pets when provided with a large enough tank. Their graceful appearance and interactions make them interesting to observe.
“Why my angelfish die?”
Common reasons include aggression between individuals, poor water quality, incorrect water parameters, improper nutrition leading to illness, or introduction of incompatible tankmates.
“Are angelfish Aggressive?”
Fancy angelfish show very mild aggression, mostly displays between competing mates. They are not generally aggressive towards other fish species when tankmates are chosen appropriately.
“Do angelfish kill other fish?”
No, fancy angelfish are unlikely to purposefully kill or consume smaller fish tankmates. They may inadvertently harm small species like neon tetras if housed in too small of a tank together.
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