{"product_id":"blue-zebra-angelfish-pterophyllum-scalare","title":"Blue Zebra Angelfish | Pterophyllum scalare","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Blue Zebra Angelfish carries the bold vertical stripes of the zebra form under a cool steel-blue sheen — subtle but stunning in good light. A tall, elegant cichlid, it becomes the centrepiece of a planted community and stands as much as 20 cm from fin tip to fin tip. It reaches around 15 cm in body length.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003ePterophyllum scalare comes from the slow-moving waters of the Amazon basin across South America, including flooded forests and quiet tributaries. There it drifts among submerged branches, roots and tall plants in warm, soft, slightly acidic water — its tall, laterally compressed body perfectly shaped to slip between vertical stems.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe zebra pattern adds extra dark vertical bars to the angelfish's silver body, and this variety overlays them with a steel-blue iridescence that shifts with the light. Angelfish have a tall, disc-shaped body with long, trailing dorsal and anal fins and filamentous ventral fins.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eGenerally peaceful but a true cichlid — angelfish become territorial as they mature and when breeding, and will eat very small fish such as neon tetras. Keep with medium-sized, calm companions and give them the vertical space they need. They can be kept as a group when young, often pairing off as they grow.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAn omnivore, the angelfish takes quality flake and pellet along with live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, brine shrimp and daphnia. A varied diet with some vegetable matter keeps them in top colour and condition.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAngelfish need height, so choose a tall tank of 200 L or more with tall plants or driftwood. Keep temperature at 24–30 °C, pH 6.0–7.5 and soft to neutral water. Good filtration with gentle flow and regular water changes suits them well. Generally plant safe, though they appreciate broad-leaved plants for spawning.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAngelfish are substrate-spawners and devoted parents. A bonded pair cleans a vertical surface such as a leaf or slate, lays a neat sheet of eggs and then fans and guards the eggs and fry together. Pairs form naturally from a group grown up together.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003ctable\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePterophyllum scalare\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAngelfish (Blue Zebra)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAmazon basin, South America\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 15 cm long (to 20 cm tall)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8–10 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSemi-aggressive (cichlid)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e150 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e200 L or larger (tall)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore: flake, pellet, live and frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp, daphnia\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–30 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.0–7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoft to moderately hard, around 3–15 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTall, planted community and cichlid tanks\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003c\/table\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include peaceful, medium-sized fish such as larger tetras, rasboras, corydoras, bristlenose catfish, peaceful gouramis and rams.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with very small fish like neon tetras that may be eaten, fin-nippers such as tiger barbs, and large or aggressive cichlids.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232837288227,"sku":null,"price":40.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232837320995,"sku":"BA8919","price":45.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232837353763,"sku":null,"price":50.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Blue_Zebra_Angelfish.jpg?v=1781480245","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/blue-zebra-angelfish-pterophyllum-scalare","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}