How big do Altum Angelfish get?

What are the characteristics of altum angelfish?

As mentioned above, altum angelfish is the largest representative among all Pterophyllum species. Their dorsal and anal fins sweep may reach up to 35-40 cm, and they are very long. These fins are both pearl gray. The first rays of the abdominal fin are filamentary and very long as well.

How to care for altum fish?

In general, altums grow more uniformly if compared to angelfishes. At that, the tank size plays an important role. Gradually, you start to keep the grown-up juveniles using tap water with pH equal to 7,5, carbonate hardness of 4 dKH, and electric conductivity equal to 280 mS/cm. The tank water temperature should be maintained at about 28°C.

Do altum angel fish eat fish?

They generally wait until the aquarium lights are off for the night and hunt the small fish while they sleep, which makes them easy prey. Because they grow to be a fairly large fish, adult Altum Angels are capable of eating small fish up to 1 to 1.5 inches in length.

How big do altum angelfish get?

Due to their flat body, they can easily move in these labyrinths of stones. As mentioned above, altum angelfish is the largest representative among all Pterophyllum species. Their dorsal and anal fins sweep may reach up to 35-40 cm, and they are very long.

What is the largest type of angelfish?

The Altum Angelfish Pterophyllum altum is the largest of the three described angelfish species. They measure about 7 inches (18 cm) in length but are very tall, with extensive fins that make it up to around 9″ (20 cm) in height.

What happens when you catch an altum fish?

When catching the juvenile, altum often can’t swallow them since the latter bristles its sharp fins and gets stuck in the hunter’s mouth, often harming it a lot. Often such injuries lead to the fish death.

What kind of water for altum fish?

Altum, unlike discus fish, prefers stronger water flow in a tank. You can keep altum in water with medium hardness, and neutral or a bit shifted to alkaline parameters pH. Yet, the water quality is of crucial importance.

How to care for altum angelfish?

Large leafed plants like Amazon swordsplants can also be beneficial and are usually left alone. The water should be kept in very soft water that is not so slightly acidic. A pH level of 4.5-6.5 is suitable for Altum Angelfish. They prefer very warm water and they are best kept in 28-30°C / 82-86°F.

How to maintain the fin sweep of the altum?

The tank water temperature should be maintained at about 28°C. At the age of one year old, the fin sweep of altum kept at optimal tank conditions may reach 20 cm, and once it becomes reproductive (in 2 years), it can be 30 cm. In spacious tanks with high walls, by the age of 3 years old this parameter may grow up to 35-40 cm.

Do altum angels eat live food?

As most Altum Angels are wild caught, feeding can be troublesome. Prepare to give live foods to these fish on a regular basis. Even then, wild caught Altum Angels may not accept the food. For some reason they are more likely to go for regurgitated/waste food from other fish – Discus being the prime example.

How long do altum angelfish live?

As for the altum angelfish lifespan in a tank, it varies from 5 to 8 years. Often the females live about 6-12 months longer than males. Tank water temperature is a crucial factor in this respect. The higher is the temperature, the faster are metabolic processes of the fish, which decreases its lifespan correspondingly.

What is the difference between altum and angelfish?

In general, altums grow more uniformly if compared to angelfishes. At that, the tank size plays an important role. Gradually, you start to keep the grown-up juveniles using tap water with pH equal to 7,5, carbonate hardness of 4 dKH, and electric conductivity equal to 280 mS/cm.

What size tank does an altum angelfish need?

So, to accommodate Altum Angelfish’s size, we’d suggest a 55-gallon fish tank. This will provide your angelfish ample room to swim around freely, but if you’re planning on breeding a pair or group of them, a larger tank of more than 60 gallons would be required.

How big do angelfish grow in aquarium?

Angelfish are the most popular tropical aquarium fish species native to South America. But when allowed to grow in the wild, rather, their natural habitat in the Amazon River Basin and Orinoco Basin, these fish can grow up to 10 inches long and 12 inches tall (or even bigger).

Can angelfish live in a 55-gallon tank?

Even then, you’ll need a 55-gallon tank as they require more space to swim and places to hide. But the good thing is that they are peaceful tank mates, allowing you to breed other angelfish species in the same tank.

What is the largest angelfish?

Altum angelfish are the largest type of angelfish. Generally, other types of angelfish grow maximum 6 inches long and 8 inches tall but Altum Angelfish grows nearly 7 inches long and 9 inches tall. This fish features a silver body along with dark black or reddish-brown stripes on the body.

Does my angel fish have altum DNA?

I bought an Angel fish last year that was Scalare in price,but with its black bars and sort of narrow body seems like to me its got Altum DNA. The other Angel I bought was a very young one..and its grown into the plain jane every day angelfish. The other though was a good deal and has kept the great black and silver color, plus one more bar.

Can altum fish cross over with scalare?

In the wild there is the possibility of some crossing between altum, scalare, and what is usually termed leopoldi, with geography limiting to a large extent what can, or should be able to cross. My fish, while sold as altums, may be a variant, as may your fish, finding an absolute pro for a positive id on altums is a difficult thing.

What kind of fish is a altum angelfish?

Altum Angelfish (Pterophyllum altum) Altums aren’t as common in the aquarium trade. If you have your heart set on one, you may need to research a reputable breeder. These angelfish are the largest in the group, and they’re usually wild-caught. You’ll also see them under the name Orinoco angelfish or blue angelfish.

What fish to put in a tank with a large tank?

You could do tetras, dwarf cichlids and New World cichlids, Plecos as well. Potentially discus and altum angelfish as well if you’re up to the huge challenge.

What is the best substrate for an altum tank?

Tanks for altums can have decorations, bottom substrate, and plants. A compromise, in this case, can be to cover the tank bottom with a thin layer of clean sand. This is the bottom that some of the natural fish biotopes have. Such a sand layer is a perfect place for nitrifying bacterium development.

Can altum angelfish breed in aquarium?

Altum Angelfish can be breed in aquarium but this is not an easy task. The species can be breed in a similar fashion to the regular angelfish and discus fish. The first obstacle is to get a suitable breeding pair of Altum Angelfish and the best way to get this is to buy a larger group of 8-10 fish which are allowed to form Pairs themselves.