Angelfish - King of the Aquarium

Angelfish are known to have made the waters of southern hemisphere as their dwelling grounds and over 100 diverse species have been recognized so far. They are basically categorized into two kinds of angelfish: the freshwater angelfish which inhabit the rivers of South America and the saltwater angelfish which dwell in the salty oceans.

The angelfish is an interesting class of tropical fish which is mostly known for its inimitable shape, it is flat and rotund with attractive triangle-shaped fins. The freshwater angelfish acquires a more triangle-like shape and is comparatively shorter in length when compared to the saltwater angelfish which grow up to a length of 12 inches. The marine angelfish are usually spotted in vivid colors which are enhanced further with the colored splotches all over their body. Different species of angelfish acquire different colors.

The salt water angelfish are one of the most beautiful marine creatures. There are seven different known species and they are: Queen Angelfish, Rock beauty, French Angelfish, Blue Angelfish, Cherub Angelfish, Flame-back Angelfish, and Gray Angelfish. They are basically omnivores but majority of them nosh upon marine sponges. They drag out their jaws to catch hold of the sponge, coat it with a thick mucous like secretion and then devour it up.

The fresh water angelfish come from a family of Cichlidae called Pterophyllum. There are three species found in this family, the Pterophyllum Altum, Pterophyllum Leopoliand and Pterophyllum Scalare. The Pterophyllum Scalare is the most widespread of the three and is quite a favorite with the aquarium lobby. The major varieties are: Gold Zebra, Marble, Ghost, Black Laced, and Gold Marble.

In disparity to other cichlids, Angelfish has more of a flat rotund body with triangular outlined fins. The angelfish on an average grows over 4 inches in length and 8 inches in height. They vertical stripes on their body camouflage well with the surroundings and help them in getting away from their enemies. The freshwater angelfish likes to dwell mostly in unsoiled waters and can thrive in temperatures amid 25 - 30 degrees centigrade.

Freshwater angelfish usually lay around 100 to 1,000 eggs on a flat leaf surface or face of an underwater log which hatch in a couple of day's time. The fry's (baby angelfish) keep the contact with the egg shells even after hatching for about a week. During this languid period they feed on the left over yolk. After a week's time they get separated from the egg shell and initiate swimming and feeding on their own. They start to gain nourishment from the environment. Smaller fish and other invertebrates living in the fresh water are the prey for the freshwater angel fish.

Maintaining Angelfish in the Aquariums:

The angelfish rules as the king of the aquarium fish because of its remarkably beautiful stance. The appealing colors and slim body shape attracts many viewers when they swim around in the aquarium. Both beginners and the angelfish fanatics can enjoy breeding the little species and gaze into their world.

The angelfish are a disciplined category of fish, which should be placed in groups depending upon the size of the aquarium. Enough room should be provided for the fish to grow in the aquarium otherwise it will have a stunted effect on their growth. Tall greeneries can be planted in large fish tanks to as to provide more privacy to the angels who are usually shy in nature. The water temperature should be around 24 -26 degree centigrade. A good water filter should be in place because they cannot tolerate soiled water.

Being omnivores they feed on anything from brine shrimps to mosquito larvae to even worms. Ready available angel-food can be given but should be supplemented by live food once in a while for ensuring proper growth. Never do rare fish which are smaller than the angelfish in the same fish tank, else being voracious carnivores angels will devour them up.

Angels are quite intelligent fish who also shows a great sense of bonding. They tend to recognize their holders and even acknowledge food from their fingers over time. They have a habit select a buddy to be around most of the times and exhibits such an amount of bonding that if the mate dies, the other one surviving shall cease on having food and die as well. Sometimes the fish stops to eat, in such situations change of diet or water conditions may help. Avoid keeping angels with other fish else squabbles and scuffles may harm one or the other.

When fish keeping angels, care should be taken to remove the fertilized eggs in a small tank for safety purposes, else the angels may gobble them up; having said that angelfish are generally enduring and disease-resistant. Stern care should be exercised when getting in new hoard of angels. Try to get the stock from a local breeder so as to get some genuine fish with no genetic faults.

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By Jason Suli