Product Details

Bulgarian Green Red Cheek Angelfish – Pterophyllum scalare

The Bulgarian Green Red Cheek Angelfish is a distinctive captive-bred form of the freshwater angelfish, combining dark green, smoky or metallic body tones with warm red-orange cheek colour. Correctly listed as Pterophyllum scalare, this elegant South American cichlid is peaceful compared with many cichlids, but it still needs a mature aquarium, stable warm water, good height and carefully chosen tank mates. It is best suited to planted tropical aquariums where its subtle colour and tall shape can develop fully.

Key Identification:

Common Name: Bulgarian Green Red Cheek Angelfish
Other Names: Bulgarian Green Angelfish, Red Cheek Bulgarian Green Angel, Green Red Cheek Angelfish, Freshwater Angelfish
Scientific Name: Pterophyllum scalare
Fish Type: Cichlid
Water Type: Freshwater

Natural Range & Habitat:

Pterophyllum scalare is native to South America, where wild angelfish inhabit slow-moving waters, flooded areas, swamps and river margins with dense aquatic or riverbank vegetation.

The Bulgarian Green Red Cheek Angelfish is a captive-bred aquarium strain rather than a wild locality form. In the aquarium, it does best in a mature setup with tall plants, vertical wood, shaded areas and open swimming space. A calm planted layout helps reduce stress and allows the green sheen and red cheek colour to show well.

Appearance & Adult Size:

Bulgarian Green Red Cheek Angelfish have the tall, laterally compressed body shape typical of freshwater angelfish, with extended dorsal and anal fins and long trailing ventral fins. The body may show dark green, olive, smoky, bronze, graphite or metallic tones depending on genetics, age, mood and lighting. The red cheek colour is usually concentrated around the face, gill plate or upper cheek area, with intensity varying between individuals.

Adults usually reach around 12–15 cm in body length, but their full height can be much greater when the fins are included. For this reason, aquarium height is especially important. Young fish may show less intense colour, with the best green and red tones developing as they mature.

Aquarium Suitability:

This strain is well suited to mature planted tropical aquariums, peaceful South American-style communities and angelfish displays. It needs warm, stable water, enough vertical space and tank mates that are neither tiny nor aggressive.

Bulgarian Green Red Cheek Angelfish are not suitable for small nano aquariums, fin-nipping communities, predator tanks, very boisterous fish setups or aquariums containing very small fish that may be eaten as the angelfish matures.

Recommended Aquarium Size:

A practical minimum is 180 litres for a pair or small young group, with a tank length of at least 90–100 cm recommended. A taller aquarium of at least 45–50 cm water height is preferred so the fins can develop naturally.

Young angelfish can be grown in a small group, but adults often pair off and become territorial. Long-term stocking should allow space for pairs to form and for weaker fish to avoid dominant individuals.

Water Conditions:

Temperature: 24–30°C
pH: 6.0–7.5
Hardness: Soft to moderately hard
Additional Notes: Captive-bred Bulgarian Green Red Cheek Angelfish are adaptable, but they still do best in clean, stable, warm water. Avoid sudden changes in temperature, pH or hardness. Good filtration, regular water changes and low stress are important for fin condition, colour and long-term health.

Temperament & Tank Mates:

Aquarium Category: Community Fish

Bulgarian Green Red Cheek Angelfish are generally peaceful for a cichlid, but they can become territorial once mature or when breeding. Suitable tank mates include medium peaceful tetras, deeper-bodied rasboras, Cory-type catfish in compatible temperatures, bristlenose plecs, peaceful dwarf cichlids with care, larger livebearers in suitable water and other calm community fish too large to be swallowed.

Avoid Neon Tetras, tiny rasboras, small shrimp, guppy fry and other very small tank mates, as adult angelfish may view them as food. Also avoid Tiger Barbs, Serpae Tetras and other persistent fin-nippers, as they may damage the angelfish’s fins.

Feeding:

Bulgarian Green Red Cheek Angelfish are easy-feeding omnivores. Offer quality cichlid flakes, soft granules, slow-sinking pellets and varied frozen foods as the staple diet. Good additions include bloodworm, brineshrimp, mysis, daphnia, mosquito larvae and finely chopped seafood.

Include some vegetable matter through spirulina flakes, algae-based foods or quality prepared diets. Feed sensible portions and avoid overfeeding, as angelfish are eager feeders and poor water quality can quickly affect fin and body condition.

Behaviour in the Aquarium:

Angelfish are graceful midwater swimmers that move between plants, wood and open areas. Young fish are often social, while adults may form pairs and defend a chosen area. Breeding pairs can become more territorial and may chase tank mates away from eggs or fry.

They are substrate or surface spawners, often laying eggs on broad leaves, filter pipes, wood, glass or other vertical surfaces. Parents may guard the eggs, although inexperienced pairs often eat early spawns.

Care Notes:

Add Bulgarian Green Red Cheek Angelfish only to a mature, fully cycled aquarium. Provide tall plants, vertical wood, shaded retreats and open swimming space. Avoid sharp décor, rough rocks and cramped layouts that may tear fins or create constant conflict.

Because this is a selectively bred colour strain, green body tone and red cheek coverage can vary between individuals. The colour may appear subtle in young fish or after transport, then improve as the fish settles, matures and is kept under calm conditions with good diet and stable water.

Recommended For:

Beginner to intermediate

Availability:

Occasional / Captive-bred colour strain

Image Disclaimer:

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Natural variation in size, green sheen, red cheek colour, body tone, fin length, body shape, sex, age and markings can occur between individual fish.