Koi Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare) – 1 Young Fish, Medium
Its place in your tank: graceful mid-water centerpiece for a tall planted tank.
A koi-patterned angelfish to grow out in your tank
The koi angelfish is a color form of the freshwater angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare), with patches of orange, black and white across a pale body. This is a young, medium-sized fish from breeder Chuck Idleberg in Venice, Florida, and its pattern will keep changing as it grows.
The problem
Angelfish grow tall, and a short or bare tank cramps their fins and leaves them nervous. They also eat small fish such as neon tetras once they are big enough.
How it fits the Father Fish Method
Father Fish has kept fish for more than 70 years, and his method has helped thousands of aquarists build tanks that run on biology instead of bottles. A layer of living soil (Aqua Preta Complete Substrate) sits under a sand cap, the tank is planted heavily from day one, and the plants, soil and tiny life in them keep the water balanced without chemicals. Angelfish come from slow, weedy, leaf-filled South American waters, and a tall, planted Father Fish tank with wood and calm flow gives them the cover and stable water they need.
Your plan
- Get the tank ready. Use a tall planted tank of at least 30 gallons that has run for at least 4 to 6 weeks, with tall plants, wood and gentle flow. Skip fin nippers and very small fish.
- Acclimate slowly. With the lights off, float the bag, then drip or add small amounts of tank water over 30 to 60 minutes. Net the fish into the tank and never pour bag water in.
- Keep it thriving. Feed a quality flake or pellet once or twice a day, plus frozen or live foods such as brine shrimp or bloodworms a few times a week. Keep the water warm and stable.
What you get
- 1 young koi angelfish, medium size
Care at a glance
- Scientific name: Pterophyllum scalare
- Adult size: about 6 inches long and taller with fins
- Minimum tank: 30 gallons, tall
- Temperature: 76–82°F
- pH: 6.5–7.5
- Temperament: Peaceful with similar-sized fish; eats very small fish
- Diet: Omnivore: flake, pellets, frozen and live foods
- Swims in: Middle
- Difficulty: Moderate
Why it matters
In a short, bare tank an angelfish stays nervous and pale. In a tall, planted, living tank it grows into a calm, eye-catching centerpiece.
FAQ
- Will it eat my neon tetras? It may, once it is grown. Choose tankmates too big to fit in its mouth.
- Can I keep more than one? Yes, in a larger tank. Pairs can turn territorial when they spawn.
- Will the pattern change? Yes. Koi patterns shift as the fish grows, so each one is unique.
- Are they shrimp-safe? No. Adult angelfish eat small shrimp.
Shipping and live arrival guarantee
Live fish ship UPS 2nd Day Air, Monday to Wednesday only, so they never sit in a depot over a weekend. We may hold an order for up to a week so the fish are fully settled before they travel. If a fish arrives dead, email us clear photos of it in the unopened bag within 2 hours of delivery and we will make it right.
