Pterophyllum(Species and Hybrids)Three species or subspecies are recognized P.altum.Pellegrin P.eimekei,Ahl,1929; P.scalare,Lichtenstein, 1823.The common aquarium Angel is probably a P.eimehei X P.scalare hybrid.Popular name Angelfish.or Scalare.Origin Amazon.Size 5 inches.Appearance Very deep,strongly compressed,almost discoid body with winglike dorsal and anal fins.Silver body with black bands,which become pale when the fish is frightened or kept in pale, unsuitable surroundings. In recent years many new varieties have appeared. These are adequately described and illustrated by Wolfsheimer,1967.However,only a few are commercially available.Of these the melanotic mutants have proved most popular.These include the Lace Angelfish showing a modest increase of pigmentation and the Black Angelfish showing extreme change in this direction. Mutants with elongated fins called Veiltail Angelfish,either ordinary Lace or Black, are frequently available.Behavior One of the few Cichlids universally accepted as a community fish.Feeding All the usual food,including dried foods.Large specimens should have fair amount of live or meaty foods.Pregnant Guppies are commonly kept with Angelfish,for their fry provide I continuous supply of live food.Angelfish sometimes go on a hunger strike.This occurs when the fish has been maltreated or is frightened.It can also be a sign of internal disease.With care,choice foods,and frequent partial changes of tank water most fishes recover.Water conditions Not critical.Recommeneded feeding system Aquaze Tropical.

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