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Rio Tocantins Angelfish Pterophyllum scalare in a tall planted aquarium — representative image

Pterophyllum scalare

Rio Tocantins Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare)

Moderate Care
Semi-Aggressive
£47.99
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£47.99
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Rio Tocantins Angelfish is a Pterophyllum scalare locality/trade form for tall, mature freshwater aquariums with calm tank mates.

AngelfishBreeding FishCichlidsCommunity FishFishFreshwater FishModerate CarePeaceful

Care at a Glance

Scientific Name
Pterophyllum scalare
Max Adult Size
up to 15 cm
Care Level
Moderate
Temperament
Peaceful to semi-aggressive when breeding
Temperature
24–30°C
pH Range
6–8
Minimum Tank
160L
Diet
Omnivore; quality flakes, granules and frozen foods

Adult size is the maximum length this species reaches at full maturity (scientific sources). The livestock you receive will be younger and smaller — pick a size variant above for the actual shipping size. Product-photo provenance and any image-specific limitations are stated on the listing.

Group of striped freshwater angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare) in a planted public aquarium
Full Care Guide

Freshwater Angelfish Care: Pterophyllum scalare

Freshwater angelfish are tall South American cichlids, not small community fish. OATA gives 120 litres as an industry floor for a compatible pair and says the aquarium must be sufficiently tall. We prefer planning around roughly 200 litres, a 100 × 40 cm footprint and about 50 cm height for an adult pair, with more space and an exit plan for a group.

15 min readRead guide

Water Parameters

Maintain these water conditions for optimal health and vibrant colors

Temperature
24–30°C
24°CIdeal30°C
pH Level
6–8
6Ideal8

Overview

Rio Tocantins Angelfish is a locality/trade form of freshwater angelfish, best treated as Pterophyllum scalare rather than a separate species named "Pterophyllum Scalare Rio Tocantins".

Angelfish are elegant South American cichlids that need height, stable tropical water and thoughtful tank mates. They are peaceful compared with many cichlids, but they still have cichlid instincts and may eat very small fish once grown.

Quick facts

Scientific anchor Pterophyllum scalare, Rio Tocantins locality/trade form
Adult size Up to around 15 cm long, much taller with fins
Care level Moderate
Minimum aquarium 160 litres or larger, with good height
Temperature 24-30°C
pH 6.0-8.0
Temperament Generally peaceful, territorial when pairing
Diet Omnivore; flakes, granules, frozen foods and small live foods

Aquarium setup

Use a tall, mature aquarium with gentle flow, vertical wood or plants and open swimming space. Amazon swords, Vallisneria, broad-leaved plants and branchy wood suit the body shape and behaviour of angelfish. Avoid cramped tanks, harsh current and sharp decor that can damage trailing fins.

Feeding

Feed quality cichlid granules or flakes with frozen brine shrimp, daphnia, bloodworm in moderation and other small foods. Offer modest portions so slower angelfish are not outcompeted and water quality stays clean.

Compatibility

Good companions include peaceful medium tetras, Corydoras, dwarf cichlids with care, peaceful plecos and other calm fish too large to swallow. Avoid fin nippers, aggressive cichlids and tiny fish such as very small tetras or fry.

FAQ

Is Rio Tocantins Angelfish a separate species? No. Treat it as a locality or trade form of Pterophyllum scalare.

Does it need a tall tank? Yes. Adult angelfish are deep-bodied with long fins, so tank height matters.

How is this live fish shipped? It is packed for temperature stability and sent by licensed live-animal courier with our Live Arrival Guarantee.

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