Zebra Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare)

Zebra Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare) is the striped, high-finned freshwater angelfish form sold on this parent product across nine size variants. The supplier describes the line as Pterophyllum scalare / zebra, which is best treated as a domestic zebra-pattern strain of the classic South American freshwater angelfish rather than a separate species.

The appeal is easy to see: a tall triangular body, extended fins and bold dark bars that show well against plants, roots and a calm dark background. This listing has been rebuilt from the exact Petra source image, the existing AI gallery and source-backed angelfish care notes so the page reads naturally instead of repeating keywords.

Quick Care Summary

Common name	Zebra Angelfish, Zebra Freshwater Angelfish
Scientific name	Pterophyllum scalare domestic zebra form
Supplier line	Pterophyllum scalare / zebra, Petra ID 1586
Adult size	Usually around 15 cm body length; plan extra height for the fins
Minimum aquarium	Use a tall, mature aquarium; about 100-120 cm long is a better adult plan than a small starter tank
Temperature	24-28 C from supplier data; 24-30 C is widely cited for the species
pH	6.0-7.8 from supplier data; stable soft to neutral water is ideal
Hardness	1-20 dGH supplier range; avoid sudden swings
Temperament	Usually graceful and steady, but still a cichlid that may become territorial as it matures or pairs
Diet	Quality angelfish/cichlid flakes or granules plus frozen or live foods for variety

Appearance and Strain Notes

Zebra Angelfish are named for the strong vertical striping across the body and fins. The pattern can vary between individuals: some show crisp bars, others show broken markings or darker shading through the fins. Juveniles may look slimmer and less deep-bodied than adults, then develop the classic angelfish presence as they grow.

The exact Petra source image has been added to Shopify because it shows the real supplier strain: a silver-gold angelfish with greenish fins, dark body bars and the tall triangular outline expected from Pterophyllum scalare. The AI images remain useful scene references, but the source photo anchors the listing to the actual supplier line.

Aquarium Setup

Think height, calm water and structure. Angelfish are laterally compressed cichlids with long fins, so cramped low tanks make them look awkward and can encourage fin damage. A mature planted aquarium with vertical roots, broad-leaved plants, open swimming lanes and subdued areas suits the shape and behaviour of the species.

Use steady filtration without blasting the fish around the tank. They appreciate clean, warm water, but they do not need a high-current river setup. Keep ammonia and nitrite at zero, keep nitrate controlled with regular maintenance, and make changes gradual. The supplier range of 24-28 C, pH 6.0-7.8 and 1-20 dGH gives a practical working window, but consistency matters more than chasing exact numbers every day.

Behaviour and Tank Mates

Freshwater angelfish are often sold as community fish, but adult behaviour needs more planning than that phrase suggests. They are cichlids, they can form pairs, and a settled pair may defend a chosen area strongly. They also have a predatory mouth size, so very small fish and fry can be eaten even by otherwise calm angels.

Good companions are peaceful to moderately robust fish that enjoy similar warm water and are not tiny enough to be viewed as food. Consider deeper-bodied tetras of suitable size, peaceful larger rasboras, calm corydoras only where temperature and tank layout suit, and other non-nippy community species. Avoid fin nippers, aggressive cichlids, shrimp, tiny nano fish, and fast boisterous feeders that will stress the angels.

Feeding

Offer a varied omnivore diet. A quality flake, soft granule or small cichlid pellet can be the staple, supported with frozen or live foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia, bloodworm, mosquito larvae and finely chopped meaty foods. Feed modest portions and watch that slower individuals are not being outcompeted.

Healthy angelfish should show interest in food, hold themselves upright and breathe steadily. Overfeeding is a common way to spoil water quality, especially in warm planted aquariums, so keep meals measured and remove leftovers.

Choosing a Size Variant

This parent product includes multiple size options from small juveniles through larger XL and XXL fish. Smaller sizes are easier to grow on in groups, but they need protection from large tank mates. Mid-size fish are often the easiest choice for an established community because they are visible, feeding confidently and less delicate than tiny juveniles. Larger angels give instant display presence, but need a tank with enough height and calm companions from day one.

All nine live Shopify variants were preserved during this cleanup. At the time of review every variant was out of stock, so treat this page as a care and planning guide until availability returns.

Health and Acclimation

Prepare the aquarium before buying. Check temperature, test water, make sure the tank is mature, and plan tank mates around adult angelfish behaviour rather than the size of the fish on dispatch day. On arrival, keep lights low, acclimate gradually and give the fish quiet cover while it settles.

Watch for clamped fins, rapid breathing, white patches, torn fins, shimmying, refusal to feed or bullying from existing fish. Angelfish fins make damage easy to spot, and early action is better than waiting for a small tear or stress sign to become a larger health problem.

Best For

• Tall planted aquariums with roots, vertical structure and open swimming space.
• Keepers who want a graceful freshwater centrepiece rather than a nano fish.
• Community tanks built around warm, calm, suitably sized companions.
• Angelfish groups where the tank is large enough to manage pairing behaviour.

Not Ideal For

• Small or low aquariums with little swimming height.
• Fin-nipping barbs, aggressive cichlids or very boisterous tank mates.
• Shrimp tanks, fry tanks or nano communities with tiny fish.
• New aquariums that are not fully cycled and stable.

Care Sources Used

This rewrite cross-checks Petra supplier data with FishBase, Seriously Fish, Practical Fishkeeping, Swell UK and Tropical Fish Hobbyist care guidance for Pterophyllum scalare. The result is intentionally natural: strong search terms are present, but the copy is written for aquarists first.