Introduction to Altum Angel Fish
The Altum Angel Fish (Pterophyllum altum) is a standout in the world of aquarium fish, admired by enthusiasts for its eye-catching looks and smooth, flowing movements.
Natural Habitat
Hailing from South America, Altum Angels call the freshwater havens of the Orinoco River Basin and the Upper Rio Negro watershed their home. These waters cut through Southern Venezuela, Southeastern Colombia, and the tip-top of Brazil. In the wild, Altums enjoy waters that are soft as a marshmallow with a pH sliding between 4.5 to 5.8. They like to keep things toasty too, preferring a temperature range from 78 to 84°F (26 to 29°C) (Aquadiction).
Physical Characteristics
What makes Altum Angels irresistible to fish lovers? Picture a fish dressed to impress, wearing shiny silver with sharp brown stripes all the way down its body. Its fins? Long and willowy, almost like they’re putting on a ballet dance in your aquarium. If you’re looking for a fish with flair, this is it (TXAquatic).
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Body Color | Shimmery silver with bold brown stripes |
| Fin Shape | Wispy and long |
| Fin Length | Stretches alongside the entire body |
| Notable Feature | Often dubbed the prettiest in the angelfish family |
Typical Behavior
When it comes to behavior, Altum Angels are the social butterflies of the water, though they can be a bit protective of their turf. They thrive in groups, relaxing their fins a bit and playing well with others, which helps them keep calm and happy. Still, they can be a smidge bossy, especially when they’re getting their groove on during the breeding season or carving out their spot in the tank.
These fish are curious little explorers, always on the move, and enjoy a setup where they can dart in and out of hiding spots. To keep them giggling with fishy joy, a well-planned aquarium space is key to dazzling their senses and supporting their fun-loving nature.
For more on handling other cichlid pals, peek at articles about Salvins Cichlid Care and Golden Dwarf Acara Care.
Tank Requirements
Creating a comfy home for Altum Angels is a big deal if you want them happy and living their fishy life to the max. Let’s break down the essentials to keep your finned pals in top shape.
Minimum Tank Size
These fancy Altum Angels need some roomy digs. Picture this: a glass tank that’s at least 30 gallons. Why? Because they like to stretch their fins and roam. And they have a thing for tall tanks—better for showing off those long, flowing fins.
Water Parameters
Keeping the water just right isn’t just a “nice to have”—it’s a must. Here’s the scoop on how to do it right.
Temperature Range
Altum Angels love it warm, like a tropical vacation. We’re talking a sweet spot of 82°F to 86°F. They’re a bit dramatic when it comes to temperature shifts, so keeping it steady is the way to go (Chewy).
| What | Ideal Range |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 82°F – 86°F |
pH Levels
These angels dig slightly acidic water. Aim for a pH between 4.8 and 5.8, and they’ll be as happy as a clam at high tide.
| What | Ideal Range |
|---|---|
| pH | 4.8 – 5.8 |
Water Hardness
When it comes to water hardness, keep it soft and cozy—1 to 5 dGH is the sweet spot.
| What | Ideal Range |
|---|---|
| Water Hardness | 1 – 5 dGH |
Substrate Requirements
Time to deck out the tank! Mimic their natural vibes with some fine sand or smooth gravel. Go for a calming, neutral look that puts them at ease. Chuck some rocks and driftwood in there too—they love hiding spots (TXAquatic).
Plant Compatibility
Plants aren’t just for décor—they’re the real deal for tank life. Live plants are the gold standard, offering snug spots to hide and helping keep the tank clean and fresh. Consider these plant pals:
- Amazon Swords
- Java Fern
- Anubias
- Vallisneria
Remember, you don’t want the tank to turn into a rainforest—keep it spacious enough for swimming. Some folks play it safe and use plastic plants when they’re worried about disease during quarantine.
For more know-how on fishy friends, dive into our guides on salvins cichlid care, golden dwarf acara care, and beyond.
Stick to this guide, and your Altum Angels will be living the high life, healthy and flaunting their colorful fins!
Tank Setup Guide
Getting your altum angels’ home just right is key to keeping them happy and healthy. Dive into our guide for all the necessary gear and creative aquascaping ideas to make your fins friends feel at home.
Essential Equipment
Your altum angels deserve the best, and that begins with gathering a few must-haves:
- Aquarium: Altum angels need space to stretch those long fins. A 55-gallon tank should do the trick, giving enough room for up to three of them (Mom.com).
- Heater: Keep things cozy with a reliable heater, set between 82-86°F (Chewy).
- Filter: Think smooth and efficient when choosing a filter to keep their water sparkling.
- Lighting: Choose good lighting. It’s like having a sun in their world, helping plants grow and keeping their environment natural.
Lighting Requirements
Your altum angels like it bright. Set up moderate to high lighting, perfect for plants and creating that natural vibe they love. Aim for about 10-12 hours of light, playing pretend sunrise and sunset.
Filtration Needs
Keeping clean water is a big deal for your angels. Here are some basics to remember:
- Type: A canister or internal filter with gentle flow works like a charm.
- Peat Filtration: If you want to keep the water slightly acidic (pH 5.8 to 6.6), peat filtration’s got your back (Chewy).
- Maintenance: Regular cleanups of your filter are a must to dodge toxic ammonia buildup.
Aquascaping Tips
Decking out their tank is more fun than a set of Legos without the foot injuries.
Rock Arrangements
Rocks are more than just pretty; they’re hide-and-seek spots for your angels:
- Smooth Rocks: Go for smooth, rounded ones—nothing sharp to snag those delicate fins.
- Rock Placement: Stack them to form caves. It’s like building them a mini fort.
Plant Selection
Picking the right greenery brings their underwater crib to life:
- Tall Plants: Pick tall plants that own the space like Amazon swords and Java ferns.
- Suitable Plants: Anubias is another winner.
- Planting Density: Keep it jungle-like with dense planting for natural hideaways.
For more on plant pals and tank setups for other fishy buddies, snoop around our detailed guides on salvins cichlid care, golden dwarf acara care, and congo dwarf cichlid care.
Setting up their tank with the right equipment, lighting, and aquascaping helps your angels thrive. For more on looking after other cichlid kinds, check out our tips on lemon cichlid care, five-barred lamprologus care, and mozambique mouthbrooder care.
Feeding Guide
Feeding your altum angelfish right is key to keeping ’em happy and healthy. Let’s chat about what makes up their menu, how often they should eat, and the kinds of grub they dig.
Diet Requirements
Altum angels, they’re not your everyday fish. They prefer a menu featuring live and frozen treats like brine shrimp, Daphnia, and little water bugs. Toss in some top-notch fish pellets and flakes specifically made for meat-eaters. Sprucing up their diet with some frozen fish, krill, and protein-packed goodies? That’s the ticket (source).
Feeding Schedule
Consistency is key. You’ve gotta feed these guys 2 or 3 times daily, making sure they finish up their chow in 3-5 minutes. Too much of a good thing can mess with their water and make ’em sick.
Food Types
Mixing it up is the way to go with altum angels. A combo of store-bought, live, and frozen foods keeps things balanced.
Commercial Foods
Store-bought chow like quality fish pellets and flakes are easy and packed with nutrients. Snag the ones made for meat-loving fish to keep their bellies satisfied.
| Food Type | Examples | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Pellets | Carnivorous fish pellets | Packed with nutrients |
| Flakes | Carnivore-specific flakes | Gives balanced nutrition |
Live Foods
Live foods are a big hit with altum angels, especially while getting settled in a new tank. They’re naturally drawn to and chew up these types of meals.
| Food Type | Examples | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Brine Shrimp | Live brine shrimp | Boosts color, full of protein |
| Daphnia | Water fleas | Encourages natural eating habits |
For more on live delights, check out live food benefits for cichlids.
Frozen Foods
Frozen’s a great backup for live food, offering similar perks. Mixing both helps shift altum angels from live to frozen diets smoothly.
| Food Type | Examples | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Bloodworms | Frozen bloodworms | Loaded with protein |
| Brine Shrimp | Frozen brine shrimp | Supports growth and liveliness |
Following this chow guide, while picking the right eats, helps your altum angels stick to a wholesome and healthy diet. Feel like learning more about other cichlids? Check out care tips for kribs and congo dwarf cichlids.
Social Behavior
Getting the hang of how Altum Angelfish interact is key to a chill and happy tank. Here, we’ll dive into their friendships with other fish, tricks for keeping the peace, and how they like to hang out.
Tank Mates
Compatible Species
Altum Angelfish are like the cool kids in school—they get along best with fish that dig the same vibes and scene. Good buddies for these guys are:
- Big Characins, think Silver Dollars and Congo Tetras
- Friendly South American Cichlids, like Festive and Uaru Cichlids
- Big Corydoras Catfish
Pairing them with the right pals can make your Altum Angels feel safe and encourage them to act naturally, just like they would in the wild (Aquadiction).
| Compatible Species | Example Fish |
|---|---|
| Larger Characins | Silver Dollars, Congo Tetras |
| South American Cichlids | Festive Cichlids, Uaru Cichlids |
| Corydoras | Big Corydoras Catfish |
Species to Avoid
Steer clear of fish that are bullies or too small—your Altum Angels might see them as snacks or get stressed out by them. Fish to keep out include:
- Tough Cichlids, like Kenyi Cichlids and Bumblebee Cichlids
- Tiny Tetras, potential munchies
- Tiger Barbs, known fin nippers
Aggression Management
Sometimes, Altum Angelfish get a bit pushy about their space, especially when they’re thinking about raising little ones. To keep things cool:
- Add plenty of hiding spots with some slick aquascaping tricks—rock piles and dense plants do the trick.
- Make sure the tank is roomy enough to cut down on squabbles.
- Balance out the boy-to-girl ratio if they’re getting romantic.
Schooling Requirements
These fish feel at home when they’ve got company. A bunch of 6 or more can help them feel safe and act like themselves.
For a deeper dive into what friends to pair them with and keeping the peace, check out our articles on golden dwarf acara care and jewel fish care. Pick up more intel on a happy fish tank in our social behavior guide.
Breeding Guide
Thinking about getting your Altum Angelfish to play matchmaker? Their needs aren’t like everybody else’s. Let’s chat about getting these beauties into the family way.
Gender Differences
So, how do you spot who’s who in the Altum Angelfish dating game? Males and females are sneaky with their looks until they’re ready to mingle. Watch for those breeding tubes. The gents have sharp-looking ones while the ladies sport the curvier model. Spotting these clues can help you pick your romantic pairs!
Breeding Setup
Setting up a love shack for your Altums is crucial:
- Tank Size: Get at least a 30-gallon tank.
- Water Magic:
- Temperature: Keep it cozy, between 82°F to 86°F.
- pH Levels: Aim for acidic vibes, around 4.5 to 6.0.
- Water Hardness: Soft, like grandma’s mashed potatoes (<3°dGH).
Throw in some wide leaves and smooth slates for spawning zones. The little ones need places to hide, so plant away for hide-and-seek action.
| Parameter | Optimal Range |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 82°F to 86°F (28°C to 30°C) |
| pH Levels | 4.5 to 6.0 |
| Water Hardness | <3°dGH |
Spawning Behavior
Love is in the water! Your fishy couple will spruce up their chosen corner, giving it a good clean. Then the lady lays her eggs in neat rows, while the male gives them a fertilizing swoosh. They’ll fan those eggs like their lives depend on it – it’s how they keep them healthy and fungus-free. Expect baby fish in 2-3 days.
Fry Care
Now, onto the kiddos! Keep an eagle eye on the tiny ones and their watery home.
Feeding
Infusoria or liquid fry food is your best friend for the newborns. Once they’re a little older, roll out the brine shrimp and finely crushed flake buffet.
Water Parameters
The right water setup is their security blanket:
- Temperature: Same as mom and dad, 82°F to 86°F.
- pH Levels: Keep it slightly acidic, 5.0 to 6.0.
- Water Hardness: Grandma-style softness continues.
Growth Stages
Your fry aren’t born Olympians. They evolve:
- Week One: Serve up infusoria or liquid magic.
- Week Two: Time for a brine shrimp feast.
- Week Three Onwards: Sprinkle in some high-quality fish flakes and mix things up.
Wanna nerd out on other fishy guides? Check our notes on angel fish care, salvins cichlid care, and lemon cichlid care.
Stick with these basics, and your Altums will be living their best lives, from cute little fry to glorious adult fish. Happy fish-rearing!
Health Management
Looking after Altum Angelfish means you gotta stay on top of their health to keep them happy and ticking. We’re talking about everything from sniffly fish diseases to keeping their watery home in tip-top shape.
Common Diseases
Altum Angels, just like their cichlid buddies, have their own set of common illnesses that can sneak up on them. Dive into the usual suspects:
Symptoms
Here’s the lowdown on the common fishy illnesses that might affect your Angels:
- Ich (White Spot Disease): Little white bumps showing up on fins, gills, or the body. Think of it as fish chickenpox!
- Fin Rot: Fins looking like they’ve had a rough day – frayed with whitish edges.
- Bacterial Infections: Red streaks along the body, open sores, or ulcers – not a pretty sight!
Treatment
- Ich (White Spot Disease): Slowly crank up the water heat to 86°F and use a specific medicine for ich.
- Fin Rot: Time to improve water conditions, change the water regularly, and apply antibacterial meds.
- Bacterial Infections: Quarantine the sick fish, then use broad-spectrum antibiotics to fight the nasties.
Preventive Care
Keep your Altum Angels in fine fettle with a little love and prevention. Try these on for size:
- Quarantine New Fish: New arrivals should spend 2-4 weeks alone to stop possible diseases from spreading.
- Regular Water Changes: Swap out the water often to keep it as clean as a whistle. Altum Angels hate dirty water with high ammonia.
- Balanced Diet: Mix it up with top-notch fish food, live brine shrimp, and frozen blood worms, according to Chewy.
- Avoid Overcrowding: Give them space! Too many fish means more stress and higher chances of getting sick.
- Weekly Fasting: Let them skip a meal once a week, good for digestion according to Chewy.
Water Quality Maintenance
Keeping water sparkling for Altum Angels is more than just a bath time necessity. Follow these pointers:
| Parameter | Ideal Range |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 82-86°F |
| pH Level | 4.8-6.2 |
| Ammonia | 0 ppm |
| Nitrite | 0 ppm |
| Nitrate | Below 20 ppm |
| Water Hardness | Soft as possible |
- Temperature Control: Keep it between 82 and 86°F. Use heaters if Mother Nature isn’t cooperating.
- Regular Testing: Check those parameters every week with a good test kit to keep the water Goldilocks perfect.
- Efficient Filtration: A top-shelf biological filter keeps ammonia and nitrite at zero, and your Angels dancing around happily (Mom.com).
- Avoid Copper Medications: Don’t mess with copper-based treatments; it’s like poison to these fishy friends (Mom.com).
- Adequate Water Changes: Each week, swap a good 20-30% of the tank water. This helps nix nitrate levels and ramp up health standards.
Taking care of the water and keeping a lookout for signs of trouble means your Altum Angels will thank you by living healthy. Looking to expand your fishy knowledge? Check out other guides like jewel fish care and lemon cichlid care for even more handy tips.
Troubleshooting
Common Behavioral Issues
Altum Angels, those marvelous fish with long fins and a charm that could steal any show, can sometimes act up. Picture them getting a bit feisty. Well, that’s besides their usual grace. Toss them in a roomy tank filled with buddies like plump Characins, friendly South American Cichlids, and chunky Corydoras Catfish, and watch them chill out, shoaling happily.
Now, about their tendency to freak out with sudden changes. They’re like that friend who needs everything just so—stability’s the name of the game here.
Water Quality Problems
Altums have a thing for pristine water. They’re drama queens when it comes to ammonia or nitrite spikes. A solid filtration system? It’s like hiring a great cleaning crew for them. With regular water checks, you can dodge most hiccups.
Quick reference for water:
| Parameter | Ideal Range |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 78-86°F |
| pH Levels | 4.8-6.2 |
| Water Hardness | 0-5 dGH |
During their “let me settle in” time, feed them some live or frozen brine shrimp. Throw in some top-notch granules or frozen blood worms to bulk them up (Chewy).
Disease Prevention
These angelic creatures are also prone to picking up illnesses, often tied to sketchy water. Fresh water changes and top-tier filtration, alongside uber-soft water, are key. Dress up their tanks with smooth stuff on the bottom to spare their delicate fins, and let plants and tall driftwood jazz up the space (Aquadiction).
How to keep them from getting sick:
- Keep a hawkeye on water conditions.
- Don’t flip the script on water setups too fast.
- Stick to a solid meal plan at regular times.
- Give them room to swim and plenty of hiding nooks.
If you’re serious about keeping them in tip-top shape, a stable, clean aquatic world is their ticket to happiness. Dive into our guides on golden dwarf acara care and five-barred lamprologus care for more tips on making your fish smile.
Advanced Care Tips
So, you’re ready to give your Altum Angelfish the VIP treatment. To keep them healthy and looking sharp, let’s chat about some care tips that go beyond the basics. We’re talkin’ boosting their lovely colors, getting ’em to grow nice and strong, and making sure they stick around for a while.
Color Enhancement
Who doesn’t want their Altum Angelfish to pop with color? To help those hues shine bright, you’ll want to serve up the right diet and dial in the lighting.
- Diet: Treat your fish to meals packed full of carotenoids. Grab some brine shrimp, or Daphnia, or even fish flakes made just to make those colors sing.
- Lighting: Use LED lights to really let those natural colors pop. Keep the light on a regular schedule to promote overall health.
| Diet Component | Color Enhancement Benefit |
|---|---|
| Brine Shrimp | Rich in color-boosting carotenoids |
| Daphnia | Keeps colors vivid |
| Special Fish Flakes | Made for boosting colors |
Want more ideas? Check out our angel fish care guide.
Growth Optimization
Let’s raise some big, healthy Altum Angelfish. Their diet, living space, and water quality are what you’ll want to focus on.
- Diet: They need protein, so toss in some aquatic insects and fish pellets.
- Environment: Give ’em room to roam with a roomy tank both for their size and some personality. Add lots of hiding places and leafy plants to keep things interesting.
- Water Quality: Keep an eye on the water condition by checking in regularly and swapping a portion out each week. That’ll keep things in tip-top shape (Aquadiction).
| Key Factor | Recommendations |
|---|---|
| Protein-rich Diet | Aquatic insects, fish pellets |
| Tank Environment | Spacious setup, lots of hiding spots |
| Water Quality | Regular checks, weekly water revisions |
Peep our pieces on kenyi cichlid care and mozambique mouthbrooder care if you’re keen on growth tricks.
Longevity Factors
We all want our Altum Angelfish sticking around for the long haul. Ensuring they’re relaxed and content is key.
- Tankmates: Pick friends who are laid-back like larger Characins and chunky Corydoras Catfish to keep the peace.
- Shoaling: Keep ’em in groups so they can do their social thing – nothing calms nerves like a bunch of your own.
- Preventive Care: Routine check-ups can catch any fishy problems early, preventing headaches down the road. Spotless water helps here too (Aquadiction).
| Longevity Factor | Recommendations |
|---|---|
| Compatible Tankmates | Characins, Corydoras Catfish |
| Group Size | Keep ’em social and grouped |
| Preventive Care | Regular health checks, low-stress vibe |
For a deeper dive into keeping ’em healthy, wander through our guides on black-belt cichlid care and three-spot geophagus care.
By givin’ these tips the time of day, your Altum Angelfish are set for a colorful, swift, and long life.
Maintenance Schedule
Keeping your altum angelfish happy and healthy starts with a clean tank. Get into a groove with these daily, weekly, and monthly chores that’ll keep everything running smooth like butter.
Daily Tasks
- Feeding: Your altum angels love a mix of live and frozen treats such as brine shrimp, Daphnia, and tiny bugs. Toss in high-quality pellets and flakes crafted for carnivorous critters, and they’ll be fancy dining every day (Aquadiction’s got more on that).
- Keep an Eye on ‘Em: Check out your fish and the tank for any weirdness. Got a lethargic swimmer or funky spots? Time to play fish doctor and figure out the issue.
- Gear Check: Make sure the heater’s not on the fritz, filters are filterin’, and your lighting’s lit.
- Water Test Drive: Give the water a quick peek for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels—they gotta stay chill.
Weekly Tasks
- Swap Out Some Water: Change up 10-20% of the water to keep it fresh. Grab a syphon and ditch any leftover food and mess on the bottom.
- Give Things a Scrub: Get an algae scraper and give those tank walls and surfaces a clean sweep.
- Check That Filter: Peek into the filter for any gunk. Clean the filter media with tank water to keep the good bacteria going while chucking the junk.
- Tidy up Plants: Snip the plants that resemble an untamed jungle and pull out any dead bits. Keep them in tip-top shape for a natural hangout for your fish.
| Weekly Chores | How Often? |
|---|---|
| Water Swap | Weekly |
| Clean Tank Inside | Weekly |
| Peek at the Filter | Weekly |
| Plant Cleanup | Weekly |
Monthly Tasks
- Give It a Good Scrub: Take out all decorations and equipment for a deep clean. A healthy tank is a happy tank for your angels.
- Filter Check & Refresh: Swap or rinse filter cartridges and have a solid once-over of the filter’s condition. Avoid changing everything at once to keep the good bacteria party going.
- Water Testing Extravaganza: Test for hardness, pH, and other key metrics to ensure the water vibes with altum angelfish life.
- Redesign the Space: rearrange rocks and decor to keep it fresh and mimic the natural digs of your angelfish.
| Monthly Must-Do’s | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Deep Dive Cleaning | Monthly |
| Filter TLC | Monthly |
| Detailed Water Check | Monthly |
| Interior Decor Shuffle | Monthly |
Stick to this schedule and your altum angels will be living their best life, swimming in comfort. And if you need more fishy info, check out jewel fish care and congo dwarf cichlid care for extra tips and tricks.