How Fast Do Angelfish Grow?

Do you ever wonder how fast angelfish grow? Well, you’re not alone. Many people are curious about the growth rate of these beautiful fish.

Angelfish can reach their full size in a year. Still, there are some factors that influence how fast an angelfish grows.

This article will explore some of these variables and help you understand more about the growth rate of angelfish.

How Fast Do Angelfish Reach the Full Size?

The average adult angelfish grow to be six inches long and can reach eight inches. 

Their fastest growth rate is between 0.63 inches and 4 inches, taking six months to double in size.

After that, it might take another six months for them to achieve their maximum.

How Fast Do Angelfish Fry Grow?

Angelfish fry will reach the size of a dime after eight to ten weeks in the tank. They continue growing until they are approximately four inches long when they are six months old.

At the time they reach four inches, they begin to develop fins so they are no longer fry but juveniles.

How Long Does It Take for Angelfish to Reach Full Size?

Some fish reach their full size within six to eight months, while some angelfish may take up to a year or more to reach their full size.

It all depends on some factors such as the angel fish’s diet, the water temperature, and the tank size.

So, if you want your fish to grow as fast as possible, you should provide them with a good diet and a comfortable environment.

Factors That Influence Angelfish Growth

1. Genetics Has a Big Impact

Some of the more costly types of angelfish are simply smaller and slower developing than other varieties, and there’s little you can do about it.

I know that you might try to help them reach their full size by providing them with the best food and water quality possible. But this will not work because genetics has a big impact.

So, even if you have the perfect environment and diet, some varieties will simply grow slower than others because of their bad genetics.

So, be careful when you select your angelfish, and try to get a variety known for being fast growers.

2. Water Changes and Clean Water

Water changes are an important part of keeping your aquarium clean and healthy. 

By changing out the percentage of the water in your tank regularly, you can help reduce nitrogen and ammonia levels. 

This is important because high levels of these chemicals can be harmful to your fish and other aquatic creatures.

One way to reduce nitrogen and ammonia levels in your tank is to install a water filter.

These devices help clean the water by trapping harmful particles and removing them from the aquarium.

Additionally, you can use some plants to help reduce the levels of these chemicals. 

Certain types of plants, such as Anacharis, remove nitrogen and ammonia from the water as they grow.

3. Water Temperature

Angelfish are tropical fish and as such, they need a warm environment to thrive. 

The ideal temperature for an angelfish tank is between 78 and 84 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Make sure the temperature of your tank does not drop below 70 degrees or rise above 84 degrees, as either extreme can be harmful to your angelfish.

 If necessary, you can use a heater to keep the tank at the correct temperature.

4. The Diet You Feeding Them

One of the most important things for angelfish growth is a proper diet. This includes a variety of foods, including both live and frozen options. 

Some good choices for a healthy diet include:

• Insects
• Larvae
• Crustaceans
• Small fish
• Water fleas
• Worms
• Brine shrimp
• Krill

The amount you feed your angelfish is determined by various factors, such as the fish’s size and habitat.

You’ll have to monitor your fish’s eating habits and manners, then decide how much to feed it. In general, it is recommended to feed them 2-3 times a day.

It is also very important to watch the quantity they feed since overfeeding can pollute the water and kill your fish.

Also, you must choose the appropriate size. Feeding your fish something too big can cause them to choke and even lead to death. 

Be especially careful when feeding them live food, as these can be more difficult to digest. If in doubt, ask your pet store employee for advice.

Always remember that a balanced diet is essential for the growth and health of your angelfish.

By providing a variety of foods and watching how much you are feeding them, you can help your fish grow quickly and stay healthy.

5. Tank Size Is Very Essential

If you want your angelfish to grow quickly, you need to provide them with a bigger tank.

A larger tank will give them more space to swim around and allow them to grow at a quicker pace. 

Make sure that you also include plenty of decorations in the tank so that they have somewhere to hide and play. 

6. Monitor for Diseases

When it comes to taking care of your angelfish, one of the most important things you need to do is monitor them for any signs of disease.

Some common diseases that can affect angelfish include:

• Hexamita (a parasite that results in weight loss, increased stool production, color change, and decay of fish skin, producing hole-like lesions)
• freshwater Ich (a protozoan parasite infection that causes white spots on freshwater fish bodies and gills)

If you notice any of these symptoms in your fish, take action immediately to treat them. Otherwise, your fish could become seriously ill or even die.

Here is a youtube guide on how to treat your sick angelfish.

How Do Angelfish Grow in Captivity Compared to Their Wild State?

In the wild, it’s more common for an angelfish to reach its peak size. However, it’s a little less likely that a fish will grow to its full potential in a tank.

This is because the fish living in a home aquarium typically don’t have access to the same quality or quantity of food as their wild counterparts.

Therefore, wild angelfish can grow up to 12 inches, while the average size for a captive angelfish is 6 inches.

Of course, there are always exceptions to this rule, and some angelfish in captivity can reach 8-10 inches when they get proper nutrition and care. However, this is still not as common as it is in the wild. 

How are Freshwater Angelfish Different from Saltwater Angelfish in Terms of Growth?

a.Freshwater Angelfish

1. Silver Angelfish

The most popular angelfish variant is the silver angelfish. In the tank, they can reach up to 6 inches long. However, in the wild, they can grow up to 10 inches long.

These species have a shiny silver body with three distinct black stripes and the eyes have a bright crimson hue.

2. Altum Angelfish

The largest known freshwater angelfish was an altum. These fish aren’t as popular as other fish on the list, but they’re still stunning.

They can reach up to 7 inches long and 9 inches tall in the aquarium, which is somewhat larger, flatter, and deeper than most angelfish.

3. Zebra Angelfish

Zebra angelfish grow to a maximum size of 6 inches in length, similar to most members of the species.

These fish are identical to silver angelfish, but there is one major distinction. Zebra angelfish have 4 stripes instead of three on their body. One of the stripes runs through the eye, and 3 run down the body. 

4. Half-Black Angelfish

The average length of a half-black angelfish is about 6 inches as an adult. As their name implies, the lower half (the lower half) of their body is entirely black, while the upper half is an iridescent silver color.

5. Koi Angelfish 

The average length of a koi angelfish is 6 inches. This strain has been developed to have the same coloration as Japanese koi fish.

The cool fact about this fish is that the color of the fish’s body varies depending on its degree of stress. When the fish is stressed, its orange color will become darker.

6. Blushing Angelfish

Blushing angelfish can reach a maximum size of 6 inches in captivity. The term “blushing” in their name refers to the gill cover’s lack of pigment. The rest of the body is brilliant white, with an iridescent sheen to it.

7. Golden Angelfish

The average size of a golden angelfish in an aquarium is about 6 inches. As their name implies, these fish are bright golden yellow in color.

8. Marble Angelfish

The marble variant of the angelfish grows to be 6 inches long in captivity. In fact, several color variants include genes for color marbling which is a stunning mottled pattern of color that results in a distinct design.

9. Black Lace Angelfish 

Black lace angelfish can grow to be over 6 inches long. This variant is a zebra or silver angelfish with extra black genes which give it a dramatic black lace-like effect.

10. Golden Marble Angelfish 

The gold marble angelfish can reach 6 inches in length in captivity. The majority of the physical features of these fish include gold patches on the body, which are next to intricate marbled patterns. Therefore, no two angels will look exactly alike.

11. Black Veil Angelfish

The black veil angelfish is one of the largest freshwater angelfish, with some specimens reaching 7 inches in length. They are solid black with long flowing dorsal and anal fins.

b.Saltwater Angelfish

1. Flame Angelfish

Flame angelfish are a dwarf variety of angelfish that are quite popular. They start out tiny and only get to be about 4 inches long in their entire lifecycle.

Since they’re smaller than most saltwater angelfish, you can keep them in less than a 30-gallon aquarium.

2. Queen Angelfish

The Queen angelfish is one of the biggest species of angelfish. It is impossible to keep them in a home aquarium as they can reach up to 18 inches long and weigh 3.5 pounds.

When a queen angelfish hatches, it will quickly develop to be around 20mm in just four weeks.

The fish will be between 12 and 14 inches long after eight months, depending on several factors such as diet and water quality.

3. Emperor Angelfish

Another big variant of saltwater angelfish is the emperor angelfish. They aren’t as huge as the queen angelfish, but they are still rather enormous overall.

The average length of an emperor angelfish is 15 inches when fully grown.

It is tough to keep a completely grown emperor angelfish in your home aquarium unless you have a lot of space since you’ll need a 220-gallon fish tank.

4. Pygmy Angelfish

Pygmy angelfish are a much more practical fish to keep in a home aquarium. These saltwater angels are quite tiny.

In the wild, Pygmy angelfish will grow to be about 3 inches long. However, in captivity, these fish are frequently only 2.5 inches long.

5. Yellow Angelfish

Another popular variety of saltwater angelfish is yellow angelfish. These fish can grow up to 5 inches in length at maturity.

However, in most cases, these fish will reach a length of approximately 4.5 inches when they mature.

To properly care for these fish, you’ll need at least a 70-gallon tank with plenty of live rock for hiding.

FAQs

How Big Is the Biggest Freshwater Angelfish? 

The biggest freshwater angelfish was an altum angelfish that reached a length of 9 inches from the anal fin tip to the dorsal fin tip.

Do Angelfish Grow to The Size of the Tank?

All Fish, including angelfish, do not grow to the size of their aquarium. However, a small tank size causes insufficient swimming space and water quality problems that stunt fish growth.

How Can You Tell Angelfish’s Age?

The only way to accurately tell an angelfish’s age is by looking at their eyes. As they age, their eyes will become bigger.

Last Words

By taking good care of your angelfish, you can enjoy watching them grow and thrive for years to come.

Be sure to provide a good diet, a warm environment, plenty of space, and regular water changes to keep your fish in top condition.

Remember to watch for signs of disease and treat them as soon as possible to prevent any serious health problems.

We hope you have found this guide helpful in taking care of your angelfish. If you still have any questions, please share them with us in the comment section below.