Product Details

Bulgarian Seal Point Angelfish – Pterophyllum scalare

The Bulgarian Seal Point Angelfish is an elegant freshwater angelfish strain with a tall, graceful body, dramatic dark seal-point-style colouration and the classic flowing finnage associated with Pterophyllum scalare. This captive-bred ornamental form is best suited to mature tropical aquariums with stable water quality, open swimming space and calm tank mates. It makes an impressive centrepiece fish for larger planted aquariums, but it should not be kept with very small fish or fin-nipping species.

Key Identification:

Common Name: Bulgarian Seal Point Angelfish
Other Names: Bulgarian Seal Point Angel, Seal Point Angelfish, Bulgarian Angelfish, Freshwater Angelfish
Scientific Name: Pterophyllum scalare
Strain / Form: Bulgarian Seal Point captive-bred strain
Fish Type: Cichlid / Freshwater Angelfish
Water Type: Freshwater

Natural Range & Habitat:

Pterophyllum scalare is native to tropical South America, including parts of the Amazon basin and surrounding river systems. Wild angelfish are usually associated with slow-moving waters, flooded forest areas, quiet tributaries, submerged roots, branches and dense aquatic or marginal vegetation.

The Bulgarian Seal Point Angelfish is a captive-bred aquarium strain rather than a wild form. In the aquarium, it does best in a mature planted setup with tall plants, driftwood, subdued areas and open vertical swimming space.

Appearance & Adult Size:

Bulgarian Seal Point Angelfish have the tall, laterally compressed body shape typical of freshwater angelfish, with elongated dorsal and anal fins and trailing pelvic fins. This strain is valued for its pale to smoky body tones combined with darker seal-point-style shading across the fins, head or body depending on the individual.

Adults usually reach around 15 cm in body length, but their full height with extended fins can be considerably greater. Because of their tall body and finnage, aquarium height is important as well as overall volume. Colour depth, dark shading, fin shape and body tone can vary between individuals.

Aquarium Suitability:

This strain is suitable for mature tropical community aquariums, planted displays and angelfish-focused setups. It is generally peaceful compared with many cichlids, but it is still a cichlid and may become territorial, especially when pairing or breeding.

Bulgarian Seal Point Angelfish are not suitable for nano aquariums or communities with very small fish that may be swallowed once the angelfish is mature. They should also be protected from fin-nipping fish that may damage their long fins.

Recommended Aquarium Size:

A practical minimum is 120 litres for a single adult or compatible pair, with a tall aquarium strongly preferred. For groups or mixed community displays, 200 litres or more is recommended.

Young angelfish can be grown on in groups, but adults may form pairs and become territorial. Provide plants, wood and visual barriers so fish can establish space and avoid constant contact.

Water Conditions:

Temperature: 24–28°C
pH: 6.0–7.5
Hardness: Soft to moderately hard water preferred
Additional Notes: Stable warm water is important for long-term health. Avoid sudden changes in temperature, pH or hardness. Good filtration, regular water changes and low stress are recommended. Very hard, highly alkaline water is less ideal for long-term angelfish care.

Temperament & Tank Mates:

Aquarium Category: Semi-Aggressive

Bulgarian Seal Point Angelfish are generally calm and graceful, but they may become territorial as they mature. Breeding pairs can defend a chosen area and may chase other fish away from eggs or fry.

Suitable tank mates include larger peaceful tetras, rasboras, corydoras, bristlenose plecos, peaceful gouramis with caution, larger livebearers in suitable water, rainbowfish and other calm community fish too large to be eaten. Avoid neon-sized fish with adult angels, fin-nippers such as tiger barbs, aggressive cichlids, boisterous barbs, puffers and very small shrimp.

Feeding:

Bulgarian Seal Point Angelfish are omnivorous and easy to feed. Offer quality tropical flakes, cichlid granules and slow-sinking pellets as the staple diet.

Supplement with frozen or live foods such as bloodworm, brineshrimp, daphnia, mosquito larvae and mysis shrimp. Include occasional vegetable-based foods or spirulina flakes for variety. A varied diet helps support colour, growth, fin quality and breeding condition.

Behaviour in the Aquarium:

This is a graceful midwater fish that spends much of its time cruising through open areas, around tall plants and near wood or vertical structure. Angelfish often recognise feeding routines and may become confident at the front of the aquarium.

Pairs may clean a broad leaf, slate, filter pipe or aquarium glass before spawning. During breeding behaviour, they can become more protective and may push other fish away from their chosen territory.

Care Notes:

Provide a tall aquarium with stable warm water, gentle to moderate flow and plenty of vertical structure. Avoid sharp décor that could tear fins, and keep the water clean to support fin health.

Choose tank mates carefully, as adult angelfish may eat very small fish and can be stressed by persistent fin-nippers. If keeping a group, monitor pair formation and aggression as the fish mature. Different angelfish strains can interbreed, so keep strains separate if maintaining the Bulgarian Seal Point line is important.

Recommended For:

Beginner to intermediate freshwater aquarists

Availability:

Occasional / Captive-bred ornamental 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, seal-point colour intensity, body tone, fin length, fin shape, sex and markings can occur between individual fish.