Albino Dantum - Pterophyllum scalare

Albino Dantum (Pterophyllum scalare)

The Albino Dantum is an elegant captive-bred angelfish variety admired for its pale albino colouration, tall body shape and extended fins. This ornamental form of Pterophyllum scalare makes a striking centrepiece fish for mature tropical aquariums with plenty of height, calm swimming space and carefully chosen tankmates. Although graceful in appearance, it is still a cichlid and can become territorial, especially when mature or breeding.

Common Name:
Albino Dantum, Albino Dantum Angelfish, Dantum Angelfish, Albino Freshwater Angelfish

Scientific Name (Latin):
Pterophyllum scalare

Strain / Form:
Albino Dantum captive-bred high-fin angelfish form

Maximum Size:
Approximately 15 cm body length, with a much taller overall height including fins

Water Type:
Freshwater

Origin / Natural Habitat:
Wild Pterophyllum scalare are native to South America, where they occur in slow-moving river systems, floodplain lakes, backwaters, tributaries and areas with submerged roots, branches and plant cover.

The Albino Dantum is a captive-bred aquarium strain rather than a wild colour form.

In the aquarium, it does best in a mature tropical setup with gentle flow, tall planting, driftwood, open swimming space and enough tank height to accommodate the extended fins.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 24–28°C
pH Range: 6.0–7.5
Hardness: Soft to moderately hard
Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: Kept low and stable
Flow: Gentle to moderate preferred

Temperament:
Semi-aggressive / Territorial

Albino Dantum Angelfish are generally peaceful when young, but adults can become territorial, especially once pairs form.

They may eat very small fish and shrimp, and they may chase rival angelfish or tankmates that enter their chosen area.

They are best kept with calm, medium-sized community fish that are not small enough to be swallowed and will not nip the angelfish’s long fins.

Diet:
Omnivore / Cichlid Community Diet

Albino Dantum Angelfish accept a wide range of foods once settled.

Offer quality cichlid flakes, tropical flakes, slow-sinking granules and small pellets as the staple diet.

Supplement with frozen or live foods such as bloodworm, brineshrimp, daphnia, mysis, mosquito larvae and finely chopped meaty foods.

A varied diet helps support growth, fin quality, body condition and breeding behaviour.

Minimum Tank Size:
Approximately 180 litres for a small group of juveniles or a compatible adult pair

A tall aquarium is strongly recommended due to the body shape and extended fins.

Larger aquariums are needed for groups, multiple adults or mixed community setups.

Behaviour & Activity:
The Albino Dantum Angelfish is a graceful midwater cichlid that spends much of its time cruising through open areas and around plants or wood.

Juveniles may tolerate one another in groups, but adults often form pairs and claim territories.

Pairs may clean broad leaves, wood, slate or aquarium glass as spawning sites and become more protective during breeding.

Community Suitability:
Semi-Aggressive Community Fish

The Albino Dantum Angelfish is suitable for mature, carefully planned community aquariums.

Suitable tankmates include larger peaceful tetras, medium rasboras, peaceful barbs, corydoras, bristlenose plecos, larger pencilfish, dwarf cichlids with care, rainbowfish with care and other calm medium-sized community fish.

Avoid tiny nano fish, fin-nippers, aggressive cichlids, very boisterous fish, shrimp, very small tetras and any fish likely to nip or damage the long fins.

Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Keep in a mature aquarium with stable water quality and good filtration.

Provide enough height and open swimming space so the long fins are not cramped.

Avoid sharp décor and rough plastic plants that may damage the fins.

Use tall plants, driftwood and visual barriers to help reduce territorial disputes.

Do not keep with fin-nipping species, as the extended fins are vulnerable.

Very small fish such as tiny rasboras or young neon tetras may be eaten once the angelfish is large enough.

Albino forms may be more sensitive to very bright lighting, so shaded areas and plant cover are useful.

Pairs can become protective when breeding, so tankmates should be chosen with care.

Regular water changes and low nitrate are important for long-term health and fin condition.

Suitable for:
Intermediate

Availability:
Availability can vary depending on supplier, size and strain quality. Albino Dantum forms are usually available as captive-bred ornamental angelfish.

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.