{"product_id":"peruvian-altum-angelfish-pterophyllum-scalare","title":"Peruvian Altum Angelfish | Pterophyllum scalare","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA tall, deep-finned 'Altum-type' angelfish with extra height and presence, the Peruvian Altum stands out for its elongated fins and stately bearing. Reaching around 15–18 cm in height, it is a touch more demanding than the standard angel and rewards clean, soft, warm water — a spectacular centrepiece for a tall planted tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a strain of the common freshwater angelfish, whose wild forebears drift among the submerged roots, branches and tall vegetation of slow-moving Amazon tributaries in Peru and beyond. The water is warm, soft, acidic and clear-to-tannin-stained, and the tall, columnar structure of the habitat shaped the angelfish's lofty body.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA very tall, laterally compressed cichlid with especially long, sweeping dorsal, anal and ventral fins that give it an 'altum' look. Colour and barring vary with the strain, but the standout feature is height and finnage — a genuinely elegant, imposing fish in a deep aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eLike all angelfish it is a cichlid: generally peaceful but capable of semi-aggression, especially when pairing or spawning. It will eat very small fish and shrimp and may nip fins. Best kept with calm, medium-sized companions in a spacious, tall tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn omnivore that takes most foods readily. Offer a quality flake or pellet as a base, supplemented with frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp and daphnia, plus some vegetable matter. Good, varied feeding brings out finnage and colour.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBeing 'altum-type', it is a little more sensitive than the everyday angel and does best in warm (26–30 °C), soft, clean water with stable parameters and gentle flow. Provide a tall tank of at least 200 litres with driftwood, tall plants and open swimming space. Keep on top of water quality, as it is less forgiving of neglect.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA substrate spawner that lays its eggs on a vertical surface such as a broad leaf or piece of slate, which the bonded pair cleans and then guards. Pairs form naturally from a group, and attentive parents will tend eggs and fry in soft, warm, clean water.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePterophyllum scalare\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeruvian Altum Angelfish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAmazon basin, Peru (South America)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 15–18 cm tall (taller through the fins)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8–10 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSemi-aggressive (cichlid)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e200 litres (tall)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e250 litres or more\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e26–30 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.0–7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–13 dGH (soft to moderately hard)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate keepers; tall planted and Amazon biotope tanks\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes — generally leaves plants alone, may nibble soft new growth\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePeaceful, medium companions such as larger tetras (rummynose, lemon), rasboras, corydoras, peaceful gouramis and bristlenose catfish. Choose tankmates too large to be eaten.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFin-nippers such as tiger barbs and serpae tetras, very small fish and shrimp that may be eaten, and aggressive or boisterous cichlids.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232836501795,"sku":"AA2621","price":44.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232836534563,"sku":null,"price":49.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232836567331,"sku":null,"price":54.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-18cm)","offer_id":55351970234659,"sku":null,"price":64.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Peruvian_Altum_Angelfish.jpg?v=1781480247","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/peruvian-altum-angelfish-pterophyllum-scalare","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}