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Smokey Angelfish
Pterophyllum scalare
Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii
Variety of Silver Angelfish · smokey
📍 South America
The Smokey Angelfish displays a dark charcoal or slate-grey body, often with subtle dark striping. The gene responsible creates a distinctive smoky, dusky appearance that contrasts beautifully in planted tanks.
Care Guide
Diet
Smokey Angelfish are omnivorous and should be fed high-quality flake food or pellets as a staple, supplemented 2-3 times weekly with frozen foods such as brine shrimp, bloodworms, or daphnia. Include vegetable matter like blanched spinach or spirulina-based foods occasionally. Feed small amounts once daily, only what they can consume in 2-3 minutes.
Behavior
Smokey Angelfish are generally peaceful but can be territorial, especially during breeding. They are slow, deliberate swimmers that prefer to glide through planted areas and appreciate vertical swimming space. They may nip at smaller fish or shrimp, and juveniles are more social than adults, which often pair off.
Breeding
Breeding in captivity is moderately difficult and requires pristine water conditions, slightly acidic pH (6.0-6.5), and temperatures around 26-28°C. Pairs will lay eggs on flat surfaces like leaves or breeding cones and exhibit strong parental care. Fry are extremely small and require infusoria or liquid fry food for the first week before accepting brine shrimp nauplii.
Tank Mates
Peaceful schooling fish that occupy lower water column and don't compete with angelfish
Peaceful dwarf cichlid with similar temperature requirements; may compete during breeding
Angelfish may prey on smaller shrimp; larger colonies have better survival rates
Algae-eating fish that stay small and don't interfere with angelfish behavior
Hardy plant that provides shelter and won't be uprooted by angelfish digging
Common Diseases
Ich (White Spot Disease)
White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, flashing against objects, lethargy
Raise temperature gradually to 28-30°C, perform 25% water changes daily, use aquarium salt (1 teaspoon per 5 gallons) or commercial ich treatment; treat for 7-10 days
Fin Rot
Frayed or deteriorating fin edges, discoloration at fin margins, fin loss
Improve water quality with frequent partial water changes, remove sharp decorations, use antibacterial medication or salt treatment; ensure temperature stays 24-26°C
Angelfish Virus (Iridovirus)
Lethargy, loss of appetite, darkening of body, bloating, sudden death
No cure available; isolate infected fish immediately, maintain excellent water quality, euthanize if severely affected to prevent spread to tank mates
Bacterial Infection
Open sores, torn fins, cloudy eyes, loss of appetite, behavioral changes
Perform 50% water change immediately, use broad-spectrum antibiotic medication, maintain temperature at 26°C, repeat treatment as directed on medication
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