Product Details

Leopard Angelfish – Pterophyllum scalare

The Leopard Angelfish is a beautiful captive-bred form of the freshwater angelfish, recognised for its tall, triangular body and dark spotted or broken markings across a silver to pale base colour. This strain of Pterophyllum scalare is ideal for aquarists wanting a graceful centrepiece cichlid for a planted tropical aquarium. It is generally peaceful with the right tank mates, but as a mature cichlid it can become territorial, especially when pairing or breeding.

Key Identification:

Common Name: Leopard Angelfish
Other Names: Leopard Angel, Freshwater Angelfish, Spotted Angelfish, Angel Fish
Scientific Name: Pterophyllum scalare
Fish Type: Cichlid
Water Type: Freshwater

Natural Range & Habitat:

The Leopard Angelfish is a captive-bred ornamental strain and is not a naturally occurring wild colour form. The wild species, Pterophyllum scalare, comes from South America, including parts of the Amazon basin and associated river systems in Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Guyana and French Guiana. In nature, angelfish are associated with slow-moving, sheltered waters such as flooded areas and swamps with dense aquatic and marginal vegetation.

Appearance & Adult Size:

Leopard Angelfish have the classic deep-bodied angelfish shape, with long dorsal and anal fins that give them their elegant, upright profile. The leopard pattern is made up of dark spotting, mottling or broken patches, and the exact intensity can vary from fish to fish. Adults usually reach around 12–15 cm in body length, but their height from fin tip to fin tip can be much greater, so they need a suitably tall aquarium.

Aquarium Suitability:

This is a strong choice for a mature tropical community aquarium, especially a planted setup with tall background plants, wood, roots and open midwater swimming space. Leopard Angelfish are best kept with calm fish that will not nip fins or compete too aggressively at feeding time. They are not suitable for nano aquariums, very boisterous communities or tanks containing very small fish that may be viewed as food.

Recommended Aquarium Size:

A practical minimum is 160–180 litres for a pair or a small group of juveniles, with a tank at least 45–50 cm tall recommended for adult fish. Larger aquariums are advised for groups, as adults may form pairs and defend territories.

Water Conditions:

Temperature: 24–30°C
pH: 6.0–7.5
Hardness: Soft to moderately hard
Additional Notes: Captive-bred angelfish are usually adaptable, but stable conditions are more important than chasing exact numbers. Seriously Fish recommends a tall aquarium for adults and gives a temperature range of 24–30°C with pH around 6.0–7.4; UK trade care guidance notes captive-bred fish will adapt to a wider range than wild specimens.

Temperament & Tank Mates:

Aquarium Category: Community Fish

Leopard Angelfish are generally peaceful to moderately assertive. Good tank mates include larger peaceful tetras, medium rasboras, Corydoras, bristlenose plecs, peaceful gouramis, larger livebearers in compatible water and calm dwarf cichlids in spacious aquariums.

Avoid fin-nipping fish such as Tiger Barbs, overly aggressive cichlids, very fast or boisterous feeders, and tiny fish such as small Neon Tetras or fry. Juveniles can be kept in groups, but adults may need more space once pairs form.

Feeding:

Leopard Angelfish are omnivores with a strong appetite for small meaty foods. Feed a varied diet of quality tropical flakes, soft granules, small cichlid pellets and frozen foods such as brineshrimp, bloodworm, daphnia and mysis. Occasional live foods can be offered where available. A small amount of vegetable or spirulina-based food helps keep the diet balanced.

Behaviour in the Aquarium:

This species usually occupies the middle levels of the aquarium, gliding between plants and décor rather than constantly racing around the tank. Established fish often become confident and will recognise feeding routines. When a pair forms, they may clean a leaf, slate, filter pipe or piece of wood as a spawning site and defend that area from other fish.

Care Notes:

Provide a mature, cycled aquarium with steady water quality and avoid sharp décor that could damage the fins. Keep them with peaceful tank mates too large to swallow, but not aggressive enough to bully them. Do not mix with known fin-nippers. Groups of young fish should be watched as they mature, as pairing behaviour can lead to territorial disputes.

Recommended For:

Beginner to intermediate

Availability:

Common / Captive-bred 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, colour, pattern and markings can occur between individual fish.