Peru Altum Angelfish
Pterophyllum altum
The Peru 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 79-86°F, and a pH of 4.5-6.5.
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.
Peru 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 79-86°F and a pH around 4.5-6.5. They reach about 18 cm as adults, so don't be misled by the small juveniles sold in stores.
What Do Peru Altum Angelfish Eat?
They're meat-eaters, so feed good-quality frozen or gel foods rather than relying on generic flake. Go easy on portions - leftover protein fouls the water faster than plant foods do.
Peru Altum Angelfish Tank Mates
Wild Altum Angelfish; very delicate. Requires soft, acidic blackwater. Very tall tank needed (60cm+). Expert only. The Peru Altum Angelfish is semi-aggressive, which is the first thing to weigh up when you choose tank mates. It's predatory, so anything small enough to fit in its mouth will be treated as food rather than a companion. 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 Peru 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.
Peru Altum Angelfish - frequently asked questions
What size tank do Peru Altum Angelfish need?
Peru 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 Peru Altum Angelfish need?
Keep them at 79-86°F with a pH of 4.5-6.5, 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 Peru Altum Angelfish eat?
Peru Altum Angelfish are meat-eaters. Feed good-quality frozen or gel foods rather than relying on generic flake, and don't overfeed. Feed small amounts once or twice a day, and remove anything they don't eat.
Are Peru Altum Angelfish good for beginners?
Peru 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 Peru 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 - Peru Altum Angelfishs need a fully cycled, stable aquarium; ammonia spikes in new setups are usually fatal.
- Cool tap water - this species needs 79-86°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 Peru Altum Angelfish
These well-known species are commonly sold alongside this fish but are not recommended tank mates - verify before purchasing.
- Betta (Male)Predator - Betta (Male) will eat or injure smaller tank mates
- Serpae TetraFin nipper - will shred the fins of peaceful fish
- Common GoldfishGoldfish - prefer cooler, harder water that tropical fish cannot tolerate
