Make koi-patterned angelfish a feature of a planted tropical aquarium. Their tall fins and contrasting markings stand out among upright leaves and wood. These small fish grow into substantial cichlids, so plan a tall aquarium with room for adult fish and choose tankmates too large to be swallowed.

Product details and care

🐠 Koi Angelfish Overview

🔹 Basic Info

• Scientific name: Pterophyllum scalare (Koi variant)

• Common names: Koi Angelfish, Koi Scalare

• Family: Cichlidae

• Origin: Selective breeding of South American angelfish (Amazon Basin)

• Size: 6 inches (15 cm) body height; fins can reach 8–10 inches

• Lifespan: 8–10 years

🌿 Tank Requirements

• Minimum tank size: 30 gallons for a pair; 55+ gallons for a small group

• Water temperature: 25–29 °C (77–84 °F)

• pH: 6.5–7.5

• Hardness: 3–10 dGH

• Filtration: Moderate; avoid strong currents — they prefer calm water

• Lighting: Moderate — highlights the koi pattern

• Aquascape:

  • Tall plants (Amazon swords, Vallisneria, Java fern)

  • Driftwood and rocks for vertical structure

  • Open midwater swimming space

  • Dark substrate enhances their koi-like colors

🍽️ Diet

Omnivorous and easy to feed:

• High-quality flakes or pellets

• Frozen or live foods: bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia

• Occasional vegetable matter: spirulina, blanched zucchini or spinach

• Feed 2–3 small meals per day

🧬 Behavior & Temperament

• Semi-aggressive cichlid — territorial as adults, especially during breeding

• Juveniles are peaceful; adults may chase or harass smaller fish

• Prefer groups that can form natural hierarchies, or a single breeding pair

• Intelligent and interactive with owners

🐣 Breeding Koi Angelfish

💧 Setup

• Tank: 20–30 gallons for a pair

• Temperature: 28–30 °C (82–86 °F)

• pH: ~6.8–7.0

• Provide a flat surface for egg-laying — slate, broad leaves, or aquarium glass

• Light current; calm, quiet environment

♀️ & ♂️ Spawning Behavior

• Pair cleans a flat surface together

• Female lays rows of eggs; male fertilizes

• Both parents guard eggs and fry; they fan eggs with fins for oxygenation

• Eggs hatch in 2–3 days; fry free-swimming after 5–7 days

🐟 Fry Care

• Start feeding infusoria or liquid fry food

• Transition to baby brine shrimp as fry grow

• Maintain excellent water quality; move fry to a separate tank if needed

🤝 Good Tank Mates

✅ Compatible Species

• Corydoras catfish

• Plecos (bristlenose)

• Medium tetras (bleeding heart, black skirt, lemon)

• Rasboras (harlequin, scissortail)

• Rainbowfish

• Peaceful gouramis (in large tanks)

⚠️ Avoid

• Small fish that can be eaten (neon tetras, small shrimp)

• Aggressive cichlids or fin-nippers

• Overcrowded tanks

✨ Fun Facts

• Koi Angelfish mimic the color patterns of koi carp, but each fish is unique.

• Their triangular fins and graceful swimming make them one of the most eye-catching angelfish morphs.

• Like all angelfish, they are cichlids, so they are intelligent, social, and sometimes territorial.

Visit Newlands Aqua Centre in Dublin 22 to explore our live fish range.