However, the fish that I've been searching for, a Marble angelfish, is not in stock. The reason why i am interested in breeding the "Marble angelfish" (Pterophyllum scalare) is because its colour and pattern are similar to my Aquarium theme which is black and white.

So I decided not to buy the fish at this store. Then i contacted an old friends who is an ornamental fish enthusiast. I asked if she had the fish i had been searching for. Luckily, my old friend has the fish broodstock that i want and willing to sell it to me.

I also made a "DIY" aquarium divider using plastic cardboard that i already have at home. The reason why i do this divider is purposely to separate the male and female angelfish broodstock.

Right after i received the fish, i acclimatized the fish first inside my temporary tank for about 15 minutes before fully introducing the fish into the temporary tank.

Scientific Name: Pterophyllum scalare

Order: Cichliformes

Family: Cichlidae

Genus: Pterophyllum

Native: Amazon basin

Diet in the wild: tiny fish fry, shrimps and crab fry, crabs, various worms, mosquito larvae, and water bugs

Diet in captivity: Pellet, frozen or live bloodworm and live feed such as daphnia/Moina

"The shattering of a heart when being broken is the loudest quiet ever."

I put the eggs inside new aquarium that i setup specifically for the eggs only. I also provide gentle aeration inside the aquarium to creating sufficient water movement and gas exchange for proper development of the eggs.

Fins: For male angelfish their dorsal fin typically extends higher and forms a more pointed angle with the back. Males angelfish have longer, forked ventral fins that appear almost thread-like at the tips.

Meanwhile, for females, their dorsal fin slopes more gently with the back. Female angelfish consists of shorter, rounded ventral fins compared to male angelfish.

Breeding Tubercle: During the breeding season, males develop a visible breeding tubercle, a small white bump located just in front of the anal fin meanwhile females don't have this tubercle.

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Actinopterygii

Order: Cichliformes

Family: Cichilidae

Genus: Pterophyllum

Species: Pterophyllum scalare

2. Spawning

   • Introducing the pair into the aquarium that already been setup. They might initially display aggression, but this should settle as they adjust.

   • Then they will do the spawning rituals such as fin flaring, chasing, and cleaning a chosen surface. The female will lay hundreds of tiny eggs, and the male will fertilize them immediately. Angelfish breeding type is egg depositor, which mean the female will deposit the eggs into the substrate.

   • If you plan to raise the fry separately, remove the eggs carefully after spawning and place them in another tank with similar water conditions.

     
     

3. Hatching and fry care

   • If the parents care for the eggs, maintain good water quality and avoid disturbing them. They will fan the eggs to keep them oxygenated and remove any fungus growth.

   • But if you see the parents does not take care of their eggs or start to eat their eggs, removed the eggs, monitor them closely for hatching (2-3 days). Once hatched, feed the fry with infusoria, microalgae or specialized fry food several times a day. Maintain water quality meticulously through small, frequent water changes.

   • As the fry grow, gradually introduce larger food sources like Daphnia or Artemia nauplii. Keep the water clean and warm, and gradually adjust the water flow as they get stronger.

Breeding angelfish can be a fun and rewarding experience, but it also requires responsibility and commitment. Make sure you have the time, resources, and knowledge to provide proper care for both the broodstock and the fry before proceeding to breed this Angelfish.