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Altum Angelfish
Pterophyllum altum
Family: Cichlidae
📍 Orinoco & Rio Negro, South America
The largest and most majestic of the Pterophyllum species. Wild altums can reach 50 cm fin-to-fin and require very tall tanks (24 in+ depth). More demanding than P. scalare — needs soft, acidic blackwater conditions and is sensitive to water quality. Best kept in species-only or large blackwater scapes. Wild-caught specimens are more challenging than tank-bred.
Keeping this species
- diet
- Carnivore-leaning omnivore – live or frozen bloodworms, white worms, quality pellets
- lifespan
- 10–15 years
- max size
- 18–20 cm body; up to 50 cm fin-to-fin height
- tank size
- 75 gallons minimum; very tall tank essential (24 in+ depth)
- temperament
- Semi-aggressive, especially when breeding
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Water it likes
- ph
- 4.5–6.0
- ammonia
- 0 ppm
- nitrate
- <10 ppm
- hardness
- 1–5 dGH
- temperature
- 81–86°F (27–30°C)
Natural Habitat Temperature
79°F — 82°F seasonal range · (Jul low, Feb high)