Leopard Angelfish - Pterophyllum scalare

Leopard Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare)

The Leopard Angelfish, Pterophyllum scalare, is a captive-bred freshwater angelfish variety with the tall, elegant fins and laterally compressed body shape that make angelfish such popular centrepiece fish. The leopard strain is known for its attractive broken spotting, marbling or speckled patterning, which develops over the classic angelfish body form. Peaceful for a cichlid but still capable of territorial behaviour, this South American species is best suited to mature tropical community aquariums with height, cover and carefully chosen tank mates.

Common Name:
Leopard Angelfish, Leopard Angel, Freshwater Angelfish, Common Angelfish, Scalare Angelfish.

Scientific Name (Latin):
Pterophyllum scalare
Captive-bred “Leopard” variety.

Maximum Size:
Usually around 12–15 cm body length, with much greater height when the dorsal and anal fins are included. Adult angelfish need tall aquariums to allow natural fin extension.

Water Type:
Freshwater

Origin / Natural Habitat:
The Leopard Angelfish is a captive-bred ornamental strain and does not occur as a wild population. The wild species, Pterophyllum scalare, is native to tropical South America, including Amazon and connected river systems. It naturally inhabits slow-moving or still waters such as flooded forests, swamps, vegetated margins and silty or clear-water areas with dense aquatic and overhanging vegetation.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 24–28°C
pH Range: 6.0–7.5
Hardness or Salinity: Soft to moderately hard freshwater; captive-bred fish are adaptable, but stable water quality is more important than chasing extremes.

Temperament:
Generally peaceful to semi-territorial. Angelfish are usually suitable for calm community aquariums, but they are cichlids and may become territorial when pairing or breeding. They may also eat very small fish such as tiny tetras or fry if these fit into the mouth.

Diet:
Omnivorous with a strong carnivorous element. Offer quality cichlid flakes, micro pellets, tropical granules, frozen bloodworm, brineshrimp, mysis, daphnia, mosquito larvae and occasional vegetable or spirulina-based foods. A varied diet helps support colour, fin condition and breeding readiness.

Minimum Tank Size:
A minimum of 160 litres is recommended for a pair or small group of juveniles, with larger aquariums preferred for adult groups. Choose a taller aquarium where possible, as angelfish need height as well as swimming room.

Behaviour & Activity:
A graceful mid-water cichlid that spends much of its time cruising among plants, wood and open swimming areas. Juveniles are often social and do well in groups, while adults may pair off and defend territories. They appreciate vertical structure such as tall plants, roots, bogwood and shaded areas. Breeding pairs may lay eggs on broad leaves, wood, filter pipes or aquarium glass and guard them closely.

Aquarium Category:
Community Fish
Suitable with peaceful to moderately robust community fish such as larger tetras, peaceful barbs, Corydoras, medium rasboras, gouramis, rainbowfish and non-aggressive catfish. Avoid fin-nippers such as some tiger barbs, very tiny fish that may be eaten, and aggressive cichlids that may damage their fins or stress them.

Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Keep in a mature, well-filtered tropical aquarium with stable water quality. Provide height, cover and broken lines of sight using plants, wood and decor. Avoid sharp decorations that may tear long fins. Groups are best grown on together, but adult pairs may become territorial, so space is important. Do not keep with very small neon-sized fish unless the angelfish are young and well accustomed to them, as adult angelfish may treat tiny tank mates as food.

Suitable for:
Beginner to intermediate fishkeepers

Availability:
Common in trade / Captive-bred

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.