Freshwater Angelfish

Physical Characteristics

Distinctive laterally compressed, diamond-shaped body with elongated dorsal and anal fins. Two long, trailing pelvic fins and an fan-like caudal fin. Silver coloration with dark vertical stripes, though many selectively bred varieties exist including marbled and gold.

Habitat & Distribution

Found in the Amazon River basin throughout Peru, Colombia, and Brazil. Prefers slow-moving tropical rivers, flooded forests, and swamps with heavy vegetation and submerged wood.

Size & Weight

Standard length reaches up to 6 inches (15 cm), but including the fins they can be up to 8-10 inches tall. Weight is typically around 10 to 50 grams.

Similar Looking Species

Altum Angelfish (Pterophyllum altum), which is larger and has a distinct 'notch' on the snout; Leopold's Angelfish (Pterophyllum leopoldi), which has shorter fins and a dark spot on the body.

Ecological Role

Omnivorous predator that feeds on small crustaceans, worms, and insects. They are known for territorial behavior especially when breeding, and they exhibit biparental care of eggs and fry. Conservation status: Not Evaluated (NE) but widely abundant.

Identified on: 4/4/2026

Mode: Standard