Platinum Angelfish
The Platinum Angelfish is one of the most beautiful freshwater angelfish available, with its sleek, gleaming body and enormous protruding eyes, it can turn any planted aquarium into a showplace! You will love them if you have an aquarium hobby.
These angelfish types have a lot of names but their common name is Platinum Angelfish.
After finding this extremely beautiful platinum angelfish, breeders quickly determined the best suitable parent fish. This angelfish was the result of crosses between two different types of wild golden angelfish with a particular recessive gene.
In this guide, we will go over everything you need to know about platinum angels, from their beginner-friendly care requirements to their proper diet and everything in between!
Characteristics
| Scientific Name | Angelfish Pterophyllum Scalare |
| Family | Cichlidae |
| Origin | Amazon basin in South America |
| Aggression | moderately aggressive |
| Minimum Tank Size | 30 gallons |
| Length | 6 inches |
| Diet | omnivorous |
| Ease of Care | Easy |
| pH | 6.0 and 7.4 |
| Temperature | 76ºF to 86ºF |
| Cost | 13$ |
Platinum Angelfish Origins & Habitat
Platinum angelfish originate in South America’s Amazon basin, where pterophyllum scalare may be free swimming in still waterways and floodplains.
They may be found in plant-rich settings, where they hide beneath vegetation or tree roots for protection against larger fish species. They also utilize these environments as hunting grounds for insect larvae and other food sources.
What Are the Features of Platinum Angelfish?
Physical Appearance
Platinum angelfish are diamond-shaped, with a laterally compressed body and triangular dorsal and anal fins.
Colors
The Platinum Angelfish has a brilliant white body with blue edging on its scales. This fascinating coloration was named after its hue.
Size
Platinum angels may grow up to 6 inches in length and 8 inches or more in height if fed regularly.
Is Platinum Angelfish Hardy?
When compared to other varieties, platinum angelfish are quite delicate. Therefore, they are sensitive to water quality and should only be kept in an established aquarium with stable water parameters.
Although adults are hardy youngsters may be fragile, so you should take extra care when keeping juvenile platinum angels.
How to Care for Platinum Angelfish?
Water Requirements
1. Water Quality
Since these angels are from still waters in the Amazon basin, they are used to clean water with little movement.
High water quality is essential for the health of your platinum angelfish, and you should perform regular water changes to maintain it.
We recommend changing 25-50% of the tank water every week, or 10-15% daily if possible.
Also, be sure to use a good filter and keep the tank tightly covered to prevent ammonia spikes.
2. pH Level
Any fluctuations in the pH level can be stressful for your platinum angelfish, so it’s important to keep it stable.
The ideal pH range for these fish is 6.0-7.4. If your tap water is outside of this range, you will need to adjust it with a buffer.
You should also use a pH test kit to check the water quality regularly and make sure it stays within the ideal range.
3. Water Temperature
Platinum Angelfish are tropical fish that originate from the Amazon basin. As a result, they prefer warm water with a temperature range of 76-86 degrees Fahrenheit.
We recommend using an aquarium heater to maintain the proper water temperature for your fish. You can also use an aquarium thermostat to regulate the temperature and make sure it doesn’t fluctuate too much.
Tank Setup
1. Size
A platinum angel necessitates a big aquarium with at least a 30-gallon capacity. They can grow to be up to 8 inches tall. However, if there are multiple individuals, the tank must be larger.
2. Tank Decoration
Platinum Angels and their youngsters appreciate live plants, Water Sprite, Driftwood, and Java Ferns are also great for them.
However, gravel is not necessary, and anything more than 1/4″ of gravel will usually be filled with small particles of unfinished meaty foods, polluting the water.
Platinum Angelfish Compatibility
Platinum angelfish are mild-mannered and can be maintained in a community aquarium with tankmates that are approximate purchase size. However, sometimes they can consume any smaller fish that are found in the tank.
They will pair off and establish territories as platinum angelfish get older, so it is not a good idea to put a new fish in with an established group.
Best tank mates for platinum angels:
- Corydoras Catfish
- Tetras
- Plecostomus Catfish
- Swordtails
- Gouramis
- similarly-sized South American cichlids
- Other medium-sized fish.
Platinum Angelfish Diet
The incredibly gorgeous platinum angelfishes are omnivores that require a balanced diet that includes meat and vegetable items.
You should give them a varied diet that consists of:
- Blood worms
- Tubifex Worms
- Flake food
- Pellets
- Frozen foods
They will also feed on tiny fish species such as:
- Neon Tetras
- Mosquito Danios
- Other little species that can fit into their mouths
When it comes to feeding frequency, Platinum Angelfish requires twice a day with the quantity of food that will be finished in 5 minutes.
However, if they are kept in the same aquarium with a large number of faster free-swimming fish species, it would be necessary to feed them three times a day.
Platinum Angelfish Breeding
The process of breeding platinum angelfish isn’t difficult. You simply have to wait for platinum angelfish pterophyllum to form pairs.
At some point, they will begin to protect an area in the aquarium and become aggressive toward any other fish that enters. They will meticulously clean the site of choice, which may be a leaf, a rock, or even glass.
The female will deposit her eggs, and the male will fertilize them. However, if an egg becomes infested with fungus, one of the suitable parent fish will remove it from the others to prevent it from spreading.
After two days, the eggs hatch, and the fry stays in the spawning site for another five days while consuming the yolk sac. After seven days, the fry is mature and can be fed with newly hatched brine shrimp.
Platinum Angelfish Gender Difference
Platinum angels appear to be nearly identical, making it impossible to determine their sex until they’re old enough to breed.
When the female is pregnant the presence of eggs makes it considerably thicker and has a larger bulge, whereas the male may be thinner and taller.
Platinum Angelfish Possible Diseases and Prevention
White Spot Disease
Platinum Angelfish are susceptible to bacterial, viral, and fungal infections that may develop in captivity. They are most vulnerable if their tank is disturbed or they are placed with unsuitable tankmates.
The most frequent illness afflicting marine tangs and platinum angelfish is white spot disease, also known as Marine Ich, Saltwater Ich, and Crypt.
The first symptoms of Marine Ich are constant scratching that results in a lot of white spots.
Marine velvet
The velvet disease, known as Oodinium ocellatum (also known as Amyloodinium ocellatum or Branchiophilus Maris) is a flagellate that attacks fish.
Symptoms of Marine Velvet include:
- Peppery coating and clamped fins
- Respiratory difficulties (breathing rapidly as shown by frequent or rapid gill movements)
- Eye cloudiness
- Possible weight loss
Parasites
Parasites on marine fish in aquariums with live rock or in a reef tank are the most challenging to eliminate.
Metronidazole and other medicines are effective and safe in the treatment of a variety of protozoan and anaerobic bacterial diseases. However, copper and formalin solutions, and quinine-based medications, are harmful to various marine species.
For external parasites, gradually raise the temperature of your aquarium to at least 82° F (28° C). This will prevent the parasite from completing its life cycle, which includes fish attachment.
Last Words
Platinum Angelfish is an excellent addition to any aquarium. They are beautiful, peaceful, and easy to care for.
Just be sure to give them a varied diet and plenty of hiding places, and they will thrive.
Also, be cautious about water quality, as they are sensitive to changes in their environment.
Other than that, enjoy your Platinum Angelfish!
If you have any questions or would like to share your experiences with platinum angelfish, please leave a comment below.
