Ghost Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare)

Ghost Angelfish is a graceful domestic form of Pterophyllum scalare, the freshwater angelfish. Its pale silver body, warm crown and reduced vertical bars give it a clean, open pattern while the tall dorsal and anal fins keep the unmistakable angelfish outline. The word Ghost describes the colour-pattern phenotype; it is not a separate species or a third word in the scientific name.

This is a substantial South American cichlid, not a small fish that can stay permanently in a starter aquarium. A juvenile may look compact when selected, but the adult needs a tall, mature aquarium with stable warm water, open turning space, structured cover and a realistic plan for territorial behaviour. Choose the fish by the home it will need at maturity, not only by the size shown in the selector today.

Sale-unit clarity: each quantity is one unsexed Ghost Angelfish in the approximate live size selected. Sex, a male-female ratio, pair compatibility, exact markings and the pictured individual are not guaranteed. Current sizes, prices and availability come from the live selector beside this guide.

Ghost Angelfish care summary

Accepted species	Pterophyllum scalare (Schultze, 1823)
Trade form	Ghost Angelfish, a domestic stripeless phenotype
Family	Cichlidae
Adult planning size	About 10-15 cm in length and commonly 20-25 cm or more in overall height with developed fins
Practical adult aquarium	Start around 180 litres, 100 cm usable length and 45-50 cm water height for a compatible pair; use 240-300 litres or more for a group or community
Temperature	24-28°C; a stable 25-28°C is a practical home range
pH and hardness	pH 6.0-7.8; approximately 5-13 dGH as a dependable species-level target
Temperament	Social and observant, but hierarchical and potentially territorial, especially when pairing or spawning
Diet	Complete angelfish or cichlid staple with measured frozen or live invertebrate variety
Care level	Moderate

Choose for the Adult, Not the Arrival Size

The size selector covers several stages, from very small juveniles to larger established fish. Those labels describe approximate live size at dispatch, not a different species and not the eventual adult size. A 1 cm juvenile and an XXL fish belong to the same long-term care plan. The smaller fish may need gentler feeding and closer protection from tank mates; the larger fish needs more immediate territory and can be less tolerant of an existing angelfish hierarchy.

How to read the live size options

Listed size band	Practical interpretation	Extra planning point
1 cm	Very small juvenile	Use tiny food, gentle flow and no tank mate able to swallow or outcompete it
1.5-2 cm	Small juvenile	Watch feeding closely and avoid mixing with much larger angelfish
2.5-3 cm	Young juvenile	Still requires an adult-size aquarium plan from the start
3-3.5 cm	Growing juvenile	Introduce with attention to the current social order
4-5 cm	Larger juvenile	Body depth and territorial confidence may increase quickly
5-5.5 cm	Subadult-size fish	Provide tall clear space and several visual boundaries
L, 5.5-6 cm	Large subadult	Do not place into a small temporary tank with no separation option
XL, 6-7 cm	Large fish	Assess mouth size, hierarchy and established territories before introduction
XXL, over 7.5 cm	Very large listed size	Use an adult-ready aquarium and expect an immediate social impact

Live fish do not measure like manufactured objects. The listed band is approximate and may describe body length rather than fin-tip height. Long fins also make two fish with similar body size look very different. If an exact millimetre, sex or compatible pair is essential to your plan, this unsexed multi-size listing cannot promise it.

What the Ghost Name Means

Freshwater angelfish have been selectively bred into many colour and pattern forms. The Angelfish Society describes the classic Ghost phenotype as a single dose of the partially dominant stripeless allele. On a silver background, this suppresses much of the normal body-bar pattern while the eye bar, a rear mark or sections of pattern may remain. Expression is variable, so Ghost does not mean that every fish will be completely free of dark markings.

The stock record calls this fish Ghost Angelfish and the reference image fits that broad visual description. It does not provide a genetic certificate. This page therefore uses Ghost as the documented domestic form while avoiding claims about a precise genotype, bloodline, locality or combination such as Pinoy, blue, black, gold or koi. Those additional labels belong only on fish documented under those exact names.

Pterophyllum scalare is the accepted species name. Writing Pterophyllum scalare ghost as though Ghost were a subspecies would be misleading. Keeping the scientific name and the domestic form separate makes the listing clearer for customers, search systems and future stock records.

What the Gallery Shows

The four preserved gallery images show a silver-bodied angelfish with a warm orange crown, reduced mid-body bars and a dark mark near the tail. They also demonstrate the tall body, extended fins and planted-aquarium setting associated with this listing. The image containing two fish is a social illustration; it does not promise a bonded pair or one male and one female.

Each live fish will vary. Age, size, stress, lighting, diet and background can change the visible intensity of silver, orange and dark markings. Fins may be held closer to the body during transport and open more fully after the fish settles. The dispatched animal is not the exact individual in the gallery, and the images are not a genotype test.

Adult Size and Why Tank Height Matters

FishBase currently reports 10.5 cm total length and also cites a 15 cm aquarium reference for P. scalare. These horizontal measurements do not capture the full silhouette of a mature angelfish. Developed dorsal and anal fins can take the overall height past 20 cm, with long pelvic filaments extending below the body. The separate 25 cm grow-up-to value in the stock record is therefore best treated as overall height guidance rather than proof of a 25 cm body length.

A practical adult home should provide at least about 100 cm of usable length and 45-50 cm of water height. For a compatible pair, around 180 litres is a sensible starting point. A group or mixed community needs substantially more room, commonly 240-300 litres or above, because each adult needs turning space and a way to leave another fish's territory. Aquarium shape matters: a tall, wide footprint is more useful than extra litres in a narrow column.

Adult-space checklist

Feature	Useful target	Why it matters
Usable length	About 100 cm or more	Supports territories, escape routes and controlled group movement
Water height	About 45-50 cm or more	Allows the dorsal, anal and pelvic fins to extend naturally
Pair volume	About 180 litres as a practical baseline	Provides more stable water and room for breeding-season behaviour
Group/community volume	240-300 litres or more	Gives several adults space without forcing constant confrontation
Backup space	Cycled divider or separate aquarium	Lets you act if a pair excludes or injures another fish

The aquarium care planner can help organise dimensions and stocking, but use the actual internal measurements after substrate and hardscape are installed. A nominal tank volume does not guarantee enough vertical clearance.

Aquarium Layout for Long Fins and Cichlid Behaviour

Ghost Angelfish benefit from a layout that combines tall structure with open water. Use upright wood, broad-leaved plants and dense planting at the rear or sides to divide sightlines. Leave a clear central lane wide enough for an adult to turn without brushing decor. Smooth materials are preferable because extended fins can catch on sharp ornaments.

FishBase associates wild P. scalare with densely vegetated flooded habitats. A domestic Ghost does not need a literal biotope, but vertical stems, floating shade and subdued edges suit its body shape and ambush-oriented behaviour. Strong glare over a bare tank can leave a new fish exposed. At the same time, do not fill every centimetre with wood: a tall cichlid still needs open movement and feeding space.

Use a fitted lid. Angelfish are not usually sold as specialist jumpers, yet startled cichlids can leave an open aquarium. Close gaps around cables and filter pipes. Position the heater where a territorial fish cannot trap another against it, and protect any intake strong enough to pull long fins.

Water Parameters and Stability

The stock record gives 24-28°C and pH 6.0-7.8. FishBase gives a broader species context of 24-30°C, pH 6.0-8.0 and 5-13 dGH. For a home aquarium, a stable 25-28°C, pH 6.0-7.8 and roughly 5-13 dGH is a useful planning range. Avoid choosing a value at the extreme edge simply because it appears in a database.

Practical water targets

Temperature	25-28°C for normal long-term care; match all tank mates
pH	6.0-7.8, stable between water changes
General hardness	About 5-13 dGH as a dependable target
Ammonia	0 mg/L
Nitrite	0 mg/L
Nitrate	Keep low and controlled through stocking, feeding, plants and regular partial changes
Flow	Moderate and distributed, with calm areas for resting and feeding

Test your source water before buying the fish. If tap water is far outside the preferred range, make only adjustments that can be reproduced safely every week. Rapid pH or hardness correction is more dangerous than a stable value within a workable range. The water matcher helps compare your readings, but it does not replace a liquid test kit and a repeatable water-change method.

Filtration and Maintenance

Use a fully cycled filter sized for the total adult bioload. Angelfish appreciate clean, oxygenated water but do not need a hard jet across the whole aquarium. Aim the outlet along glass or decor so circulation reaches dead spots without forcing fish to hold position continually. A pre-filter sponge can protect long fins and prevent small juveniles being pulled toward the intake.

Establish a measured weekly routine. Test ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH and temperature; clean visible waste; inspect the filter; and replace an appropriate portion of water with dechlorinated, temperature-matched water. OATA recommends regular testing and partial changes because even low ammonia or nitrite can create welfare problems. Rinse biological media in removed aquarium water rather than untreated tap water.

Do not judge water quality by clarity alone. A clear aquarium can still contain ammonia, nitrite or an unstable pH. Keep a simple record of readings so slow changes are visible before appetite, colour or breathing is affected.

Feeding Ghost Angelfish

Use a complete angelfish or quality cichlid granule as the nutritional base. Add variety with correctly sized frozen or live foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia, mysis, cyclops and occasional bloodworm. Research on P. scalare shows that food type affects growth and reproductive performance, which supports a varied but controlled diet rather than one treat used as the entire menu.

Balanced feeding plan

Food type	Role	Control point
Complete angelfish or cichlid granule	Daily nutritional foundation	Select a particle the smallest fish can swallow cleanly
Quality flake	Useful rotation for surface and mid-water feeding	Crush for juveniles and remove drifting excess
Brine shrimp, daphnia or cyclops	Invertebrate variety and feeding enrichment	Use portions eaten promptly
Mysis or bloodworm	Occasional larger frozen food	Match the mouth size and avoid an unbalanced single-food diet
Live feeder fish	Not required	Add disease, injury and nutritional risks without being necessary

Feed juveniles small meals suited to growth and observe that every fish eats. Adults usually need less frequent, more measured portions. A round abdomen immediately after feeding is different from chronic swelling. Persistent spitting, weight loss, white stringy waste or refusal of food deserves investigation rather than repeated larger meals.

Social Behaviour: Calm Until It Is Not

Angelfish are often described as peaceful community fish, but that label is incomplete. They are cichlids with a social hierarchy. Juveniles may move as a loose group, adults may form pairs, and breeding fish can defend a broad area. Cacho and colleagues documented competition for territory and mates, pair bonds and aggression toward intruders around breeding.

Normal behaviour includes watching the room, approaching the keeper at feeding time, brief lateral displays and short chases. A problem is developing when one fish is held in a corner, cannot eat, keeps its fins clamped, breathes heavily or receives repeated bites. More plants will not fix every incompatible pairing. A divider or separate cycled aquarium must be available before serious damage occurs.

Two random unsexed fish are not automatically a pair. They may be the same sex, may never bond or may become incompatible as they mature. Buying several juveniles can improve the chance of natural pair formation, but it also creates a responsibility to rehome or separate fish once a dominant pair claims the aquarium.

Ghost Angelfish Tank Mates

Choose tank mates by adult mouth size, swimming speed, fin-nipping risk, temperature and territory. Medium peaceful tetras and robust rasboras can work when they are too large to be swallowed and kept in proper groups. Suitable Corydoras or a bristlenose-type catfish may share a large aquarium when the bottom layout, temperature and feeding plan also fit.

Tiny fish and shrimplets are potential prey. An adult angelfish can eat animals that looked safe beside a juvenile. Neon-sized fish are a risk even if both species grew up together. Adult shrimp may survive in a complex aquascape, but no Ghost Angelfish should be sold as shrimp-safe.

Avoid persistent fin nippers, very aggressive cichlids, coldwater species, hard-water specialists and fish that dominate every meal. Tiger barbs and some assertive tetras are common examples of the wrong behaviour around long fins. Gouramis and other laterally compressed territorial fish can also clash in limited space. Check candidates with the tank-mate tool, then make the final decision from adult needs and actual behaviour.

Compatibility decision guide

Candidate	Assessment	Conditions
Medium peaceful tetras	Often suitable	Too large to swallow, not known fin nippers, matching warm water
Robust peaceful rasboras	Possible	Large aquarium, proper group and calm feeding access
Corydoras	Often suitable	Correct species group, suitable temperature and adequate floor space
Bristlenose-type catfish	Possible	Enough wood, shelter and food; monitor breeding territories
Other angelfish	Specialist planning	Group space, similar size and a separation plan
Tiny tetras and shrimplets	Predation risk	Do not rely on juvenile behaviour as an adult guarantee
Fin nippers or aggressive cichlids	Unsuitable	High risk of fin damage, stress and territorial conflict

Sexing, Pairs and Breeding

Sexing an angelfish outside active breeding is unreliable. Head shape, fin angle and body profile are often repeated as shortcuts, but they are not dependable enough to promise sex on a retail juvenile. The breeding tubes visible near spawning are more useful, yet even experienced keepers can be uncertain before a pair lays eggs.

A bonded pair usually cleans a broad leaf, slate or other near-vertical surface before spawning. Eggs are laid in rows and fertilised as the adults pass over them. Both parents may fan and guard the eggs, then protect wrigglers and free-swimming fry. In a community tank that parental behaviour can turn a previously calm area into defended territory.

Breeding requires a dedicated plan for water quality, first foods, parent behaviour and the number of juveniles produced. Do not buy two unsexed fish as though a proven pair is included. If the goal is a pair, raise a compatible group in enough space or source an explicitly confirmed pair from a breeder, while still understanding that pair bonds can change.

Arrival and the First Week

Prepare the final or quarantine aquarium before delivery. Confirm stable heat, zero ammonia and nitrite, a protected filter intake, suitable food and enough height for the selected size. Keep the room and aquarium light low when the box arrives. Follow the current livestock instructions and use the acclimation timer as a prompt, not a reason to leave the fish in transport water indefinitely.

After release, allow the fish to find cover and orient itself. Do not chase it for photographs or rearrange the aquarium. A small first feed can be offered once breathing is calm and posture is normal. If an established angelfish immediately blocks the newcomer from open water, intervene early rather than waiting for injuries.

Quarantine is the safest way to observe appetite, waste, breathing and external signs without exposing the main aquarium. It must itself be fully cycled, heated and large enough for the fish. The fish acclimation guide explains the preparation in more detail.

Health and Troubleshooting

First checks when behaviour changes

Observation	Possible causes	Immediate checks
Rapid breathing	Ammonia, nitrite, low oxygen, heat, gill irritation or acute stress	Test water, inspect aeration and review recent changes
Clamped fins or dark colour	Social pressure, poor water, sudden chemistry change or illness	Check hierarchy, temperature and complete test results
Torn dorsal or anal fin	Fin nipping, sharp decor, intake injury or fighting	Remove the cause, protect the fish and keep water clean
Refusing food	Arrival stress, bullying, unsuitable particle size or disease	Observe privately, offer a small familiar food and check body condition
One fish isolated in a corner	Pair formation or hierarchy exclusion	Separate before persistent attack causes injury or weight loss
White spots or growths	Possible parasite or infection	Quarantine, confirm symptoms and seek treatment guidance before medicating

Medication should follow a diagnosis, not guesswork. First correct water and social causes, because medicine cannot compensate for ammonia, incompatible tank mates or constant attack. If disease is suspected, use a controlled quarantine system and obtain advice suitable for the symptoms and other livestock.

Ghost Compared with Other Angelfish Forms

Ghost describes reduced bar expression associated with the stripeless phenotype. Marble describes irregular dark marbling. Platinum White is a much paler domestic form. Pinoy Green Ghost adds further colour-genetic labels and should not be treated as interchangeable with a plain Ghost. All are sold within the broad domestic P. scalare group, but their visual labels and source records are different.

Compare this fish with the Marble Angelfish, Platinum White Angelfish, Pinoy Green Ghost Angelfish and Rio Nanay Angelfish. The Angelfish collection keeps these forms together without turning one colour name into another.

A Practical Care Rhythm

Observation and maintenance rhythm

Frequency	Tasks	What success looks like
Every day	Check breathing, fins, posture, appetite, hierarchy and equipment	All fish can leave territories and reach food
Each week	Test water, complete a measured partial change, clean visible waste and inspect the filter	Zero ammonia and nitrite, stable pH and controlled nitrate
Each month	Review growth, body condition, plant density, open space and stocking	The aquarium still suits the fish rather than only the size it was bought at
When behaviour changes	Recheck water and social structure before adding treatments or more fish	The cause is addressed early, with separation available

Is a Ghost Angelfish Right for Your Aquarium?

This fish is a good fit when you have a mature, warm and genuinely tall aquarium; enjoy observant cichlid behaviour; can provide a varied diet; and are ready to manage pair formation. It is especially effective as the visual focus of a planted display with quiet open water and medium-sized companions.

Choose another fish if the aquarium is short, newly cycled or crowded; if every existing tank mate is tiny; if you cannot separate incompatible adults; or if you need a guaranteed male-female pair. A small juvenile is not a shortcut around adult welfare. Use the Angelfish care guide and live-fish buying guide to check the wider setup before ordering.

Ordering, Delivery and Live Arrival Support

Select the live size that fits the existing aquarium and social group. Each quantity adds one fish in that approximate band. The selector is the source of current price and availability, so this care guide does not duplicate a static stock claim. Review UK livestock delivery and the Live Arrival Guarantee before checkout, including the current receiving and evidence requirements.

Eligible first orders can use WELCOME10 for 10% off under the active checkout terms. Apply the code and confirm the final total before payment. The guarantee supports qualifying arrivals; it does not replace the need for a cycled adult-ready aquarium. The full policy is on the returns and Live Arrival Guarantee page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What species is a Ghost Angelfish?

It is a domestic form of Pterophyllum scalare, the freshwater angelfish. Ghost is a phenotype name, not a separate species.

What does Ghost mean in angelfish genetics?

The classic Ghost phenotype is associated with one stripeless allele, which suppresses much of the normal vertical body-bar pattern. Expression varies, and this stock record does not certify an individual genotype.

Is the scientific name Pterophyllum scalare ghost?

No. The accepted two-word species name is Pterophyllum scalare. Ghost should be written separately as the domestic form.

How large does a Ghost Angelfish grow?

Plan for roughly 10-15 cm in length and around 20-25 cm or more in overall height with developed fins. The tall silhouette is why aquarium water height matters.

What tank size does an adult need?

A practical starting point for a compatible pair is around 180 litres, 100 cm usable length and 45-50 cm water height. Use 240-300 litres or more for a group or mixed community.

What temperature is suitable?

Keep a stable 25-28°C for normal long-term care, within the source and species ranges, and choose tank mates that genuinely share it.

What pH and hardness should I use?

Aim for pH 6.0-7.8 and approximately 5-13 dGH. Stable, repeatable water is safer than rapid correction toward an extreme value.

Are Ghost Angelfish easy for beginners?

They are moderate care. A prepared keeper can succeed, but the fish needs a mature tall aquarium, careful social planning, stable warm water and a separation option.

Are they peaceful?

They can be calm in a suitable community, but they are hierarchical cichlids. Pair formation and spawning can produce strong territorial aggression.

What are good tank mates?

Medium peaceful tetras, robust rasboras, suitable Corydoras and selected catfish can work in a large aquarium when temperature, adult size, groups and feeding all match.

Can Ghost Angelfish live with neon tetras?

There is a predation risk. Adult angelfish may eat neon-sized fish even if the combination appeared safe while the angelfish was young.

Are they safe with shrimp?

No shrimp-safety guarantee is possible. Tiny shrimp and shrimplets are potential prey, and even adults may be vulnerable during moulting.

How many should I keep?

Plan a compatible pair or a properly sized group. A juvenile group needs a much larger aquarium and a route to separate or rehome fish when pairs form.

Does ordering two guarantee a pair?

No. Each quantity is one unsexed fish. Two fish may be the same sex, may not bond or may become incompatible.

What should I feed?

Use a complete angelfish or cichlid staple with measured frozen or live invertebrate foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia, mysis or cyclops.

How do Ghost Angelfish breed?

A bonded pair cleans a broad leaf, slate or other surface, lays adhesive eggs and may guard eggs and fry. Territorial behaviour often intensifies at this stage.

Will the selected size stay that small?

No. The selector describes approximate live size at dispatch. Every option requires an aquarium suitable for the same adult species.

Will my fish look exactly like the gallery?

No. The preserved images are representative. Markings, crown colour, fin shape, age, size and stress response vary, and the exact dispatched fish is not pictured.

Is there a first-order discount?

Eligible first orders can use WELCOME10 for 10% off under the current promotion and checkout terms.

Does the Live Arrival Guarantee apply?

Qualifying livestock arrivals are covered when the current delivery, receiving, contact-time and evidence conditions are followed. Read the policy before ordering.

Evidence and Further Planning

Identity and species-level care were checked against the FishBase Pterophyllum scalare summary, The Angelfish Society phenotype library, the published mating-system study, the OATA American cichlid care sheet and research on food and growth in freshwater angelfish. These sources describe the species or phenotype; none certifies the sex, exact genotype or appearance of one dispatched fish.

For more options, browse the Angelfish collection. For this individual product, use the size selector for live commerce information and the care details above for the adult welfare decision.