Fauna
Fish · GBIF taxon 5208518

Freshwater Angelfish

Pterophyllum scalare

Also known as Angelfish, Common Angelfish, Silver Angelfish

Freshwater angelfish glide gracefully through the tangled submerged roots and aquatic forests of the Amazon Basin, relying on their laterally compressed bodies and vertical dark bars to vanish against vertical stems. Monogamous breeding pairs clean broad leaves or vertical submerged timber to lay hundreds of adhesive eggs, which both parents meticulously fan with their fins and defend from wandering intruders. Once free-swimming, the fry feed on microscopic water life under the vigilant care of their attentive parents.

FreshwaterAquaticCarnivorous
Freshwater Angelfish reference
Licensed reference(c) Szabi237, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Mosquito larvae
  • Water fleas
  • Copepods
Predators
  • Peacock bass
  • Trahira
  • Kingfishers
ThreatsHabitat destruction, water pollution, and localized overcollection
HabitatsSwamps, flooded forests, and slow-moving rivers with dense vegetation
Life span8–12 years
Classification
  1. OrderPerciformes
  2. FamilyCichlidae
  3. GenusPterophyllum
  4. SpeciesPterophyllum scalare
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Aquarium observation: Approach tanks calmly, as sudden hand movements can startle them into colliding with glass.
  • Wild viewing: Look along quiet river margins and submerged brush where pairs retreat among fallen branches.
Related species
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