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Freshwater angelfish ( Pterophyllum scalare ) at the Montreal Biodome

Freshwater angelfish

Popular aquarium fish from the Amazon Basin

Photo: mendel, CC BY-SA 1.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The freshwater angelfish is a cichlid native to South American river systems. It thrives in warm, vegetated waters and is the most common species of its genus kept in home aquariums worldwide.

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  • Most common Pterophyllum species in aquariums
  • Native to Amazon and Orinoco basins
  • Genome sequenced in 2022
  • First imported to Europe in 1909
  • Prefers warm, vegetated freshwater habitats

What it is

This cichlid features a distinctive laterally compressed body shape. It is the most frequently kept member of the Pterophyllum genus in captivity. The fish displays vertical stripes, though patterns vary by population. Its body structure allows it to navigate through dense aquatic plants in its native habitat.

Where it lives

Native populations inhabit the Amazon Basin across Peru, Colombia, and Brazil. Specific rivers include the Ucayali, Solimões, and Amapá. They also live in the Oyapock River in French Guiana and the Essequibo in Guyana. A similar population exists in the Orinoco River. These fish prefer swamps or flooded areas with thick vegetation. Water conditions are typically warm, ranging from 26 to 30 degrees Celsius, with a neutral to slightly acidic pH.

How it lives

In the wild, they hunt small fry, juvenile fish, shrimps, crabs, and various worms. They also consume mosquito larvae and water bugs. Opportunistic feeding includes catching floating insects on the surface. In captivity, they accept frozen, freeze-dried, and live foods. Variety in diet supports health and mimics natural habits. High-protein items like tubifex worms aid growth.

Freshwater angelfish
A drawing made by EveryFish from what this page says. It is a diagram, not a picture of the real fish.

Fish and people

This species dominates the global aquarium trade for freshwater cichlids. It was first imported to Europe in 1909 via Hamburg. Keepers value its striking appearance and adaptability to tank life. Providing live foods can enhance reproductive performance in captive breeding programmes. The genome was sequenced in 2022 by a student researcher.

Freshwater angelfish, Pterophyllum scalare (Schultze, 1823), Natural History Museum University of Pisa
Freshwater angelfish, Pterophyllum scalare (Schultze, 1823), Natural History Museum University of Pisa. Photo: Mattia Nocciola, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Questions people ask about Freshwater angelfish

Where do freshwater angelfish come from?

They are native to the Amazon Basin in South America. Populations exist in rivers across Peru, Colombia, Brazil, French Guiana, and Guyana. A similar group lives in the Orinoco River system.

What do freshwater angelfish eat?

They consume small fish, shrimp, crabs, worms, and insect larvae. In tanks, they accept frozen and live foods like bloodworms and brine shrimp. A varied diet supports better health and growth.

Are freshwater angelfish easy to keep?

Yes, they are the most common species of their genus in captivity. They adapt well to aquarium life and accept various food types. They require warm water and benefit from planted tanks.

Good reading and sources

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Pterophyllum scalare", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryFish rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes, and figures change over time. Nothing here is investment or buying advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-11-15.

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Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

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