Altum Angelfish
Pterophyllum altum
The Altum Angelfish (Pterophyllum altum) is a semi-aggressive fish that's best left to experienced keepers. Give it a tank of at least 280 litres (74 US gallons), water held at 79-90°F, and a pH of 6.5-7.5.
Captive lifespan reflects typical experience in a home aquarium, not maximum recorded age; genetics, sourcing, and care vary.
Natural distribution
South America
- South America
Regional colours match the stocking calculator's origin map.
Altum Angelfish Tank Setup
Give them at least 280 litres (74 US gallons). Cichlids are territorial and produce plenty of waste, so strong filtration and some rocks or wood to break up sight lines both help. Aim for 79-90°F and a pH around 6.5-7.5. They reach about 18 cm as adults, so don't be misled by the small juveniles sold in stores.
What Do Altum Angelfish Eat?
They're not fussy eaters - feed a varied diet, rotating good-quality dry, frozen, and gel foods rather than the same thing every day, and match the food size to their mouths.
Altum Angelfish Tank Mates
Wild-type Altum cichlid - tall tank essential. Predatory toward small fish and shrimp. Soft, acidic water; not a peaceful community fish. The Altum Angelfish is semi-aggressive, which is the first thing to weigh up when you choose tank mates. Good matches come down to the whole stocking list working together - temperature, tank size, and temperament - not any single label. Before you buy, run your full stocking list through our stocking calculator. It weighs temperament, adult size, and water needs together, which a single species page can't do on its own.
Are Altum Angelfish Good for Beginners?
Not a sensible first purchase. Get the tank cycled, keep easier fish stable for a year, then revisit if you still want the extra work this species demands.
Altum Angelfish - frequently asked questions
What size tank do Altum Angelfish need?
Altum Angelfish need a tank of at least 280 litres (74 US gallons). A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable, and gives them more room to settle in and behave naturally.
What water parameters do Altum Angelfish need?
Keep them at 79-90°F with a pH of 6.5-7.5, steady rather than chased to an exact figure. In a cycled tank, ammonia and nitrite should both read 0 ppm, with nitrate kept low through regular water changes.
What do Altum Angelfish eat?
Altum Angelfish are omnivores and aren't fussy eaters. Feed a varied mix of good-quality dry, frozen, and gel foods, and match the food size to their mouths. Feed small amounts once or twice a day, and remove anything they don't eat.
Are Altum Angelfish good for beginners?
Altum Angelfish are not a beginner species. They need precise conditions and consistent maintenance, so build experience with hardier fish before keeping them.
Common mistakes with Altum Angelfish
- Underestimating tank size - the minimum footprint is 280 litres (74 US gallons); impulse buying into a smaller tank leads to stress and shortened lifespan.
- Adding to a new tank - Altum Angelfishs need a fully cycled, stable aquarium; ammonia spikes in new setups are usually fatal.
- Cool tap water - this species needs 79-90°F; cold acclimation suppresses immune response and often triggers disease outbreaks.
Building a community? Run the full list through the stocking calculator before you add anything else.
Great tank mates
Chosen from temperament, overlapping temperature/pH bands, plausible minimum tank footprints, and size versus yours in App-aquatic data. Hobby nuance always wins - verify stocking and temperament before purchasing.
Fish to avoid mixing with Altum Angelfish
These well-known species are commonly sold alongside this fish but are not recommended tank mates - verify before purchasing.
- Pea PufferPredator - Pea Puffer will eat or injure smaller tank mates
- Betta (Male)Predator - Betta (Male) will eat or injure smaller tank mates
- Serpae TetraFin nipper - will shred the fins of peaceful fish
