Altum Angelfish (Wild)

Pterophyllum altum, the altum angelfish, is the crown jewel of the genus. Wild specimens from Venezuela's Orinoco and Atabapo river systems reach extraordinary body heights — up to 25 cm — and develop an unmistakable notched forehead that distinguishes them from all other angelfish species. The silver body bears three bold reddish-brown bars and the fins develop spectacular trailing extensions in mature adults.

Altum angels inhabit blackwater forest streams with extremely low mineral content (near-zero hardness), highly acidic pH, and elevated temperatures. Replicating these conditions in the aquarium is non-negotiable — altums kept in standard community water will fail to thrive and are highly susceptible to whitespot and internal parasites.

This is strictly an advanced species requiring dedicated species aquaria, meticulous water management, and an understanding of wild-caught fish conditioning. The reward is an unparalleled display animal that showcases the true grandeur of Amazonian cichlids.

Water: Temperature 26–30°C, pH 4.5–6.0, GH 0–4, KH 0–2; use RO water with blackwater extract; conduct small frequent changes. Tank: 400 L minimum with height ≥70 cm; bare blackwater setup with driftwood, dried leaves, and dim lighting. Feeding: Live and frozen foods initially — bloodworm, black mosquito larvae, artemia; transition gradually to quality cichlid pellets. Breeding: Rarely breeds in captivity; extremely demanding with strict water chemistry requirements; pair formation takes time. Compatibility: Species tank strongly recommended; may be kept with small blackwater tetras (e.g., cardinals) if space permits.