How To Recognize Different Angelfish?

[Wei_pad]

I bought an angelfish yesterday. It's a white one with black, vertical stripes. Right now, he's only around 2-3 inches high. I forgot to ask the pet store if this is the variety of angels that grow to a small size only or grow to a big size. Any way to tell if he's a pygmy angel or a normal angel? I can't go back and ask the people in the pet store since we live miles and miles from them. I didn't get their contact # as well.....

 

[lloyd]

You cant get dwarf or pygmy angle fish, only stunted ones. Given the proper care and tank size your angles should grow as big as any other. how big is your tank?

 

[star4]

Pterophyllum leopoldi is the smaller variety of angels sometimes called a dwarf angel, they have a longer more pointed face. Pterophyllum scalare is the most popular variety with a rounder look to the face, which I would suspect your to be (or a strain mix of) then you get the Pterophyllym altum, which has a more sloped look to the face. Its a bit hard to describe it sorry, try googling images of the 3 and see what yours looks like. I hope this helps

 

[lloyd]

It is true Leopoldis are the smallest of the 3 but they still hit a decent size. the myth of aquarium bred mini angel fish is just a myth

 

[Wei_pad]

Thanks for the replies guys! My tank's around 50 gallons (I think) so it should grow quite big. I think my angel might be a scalere or an altum. It looks similar to both.

 

[lloyd]

Its probably a scalare unless you paid big bucks, in which case it would have been advertised as an altum. i have to say though, in my opinion your tanks probably to small for a group. a pair could work (if you really do your research and scape the tank appropriatly)but you shouldnt keep one single angel on its own

 

[Wei_pad]

Its probably a scalare unless you paid big bucks, in which case it would have been advertised as an altum. i have to say though, in my opinion your tanks probably to small for a group. a pair could work (if you really do your research and scape the tank appropriatly)but you shouldnt keep one single angel on its own

Well I've been keeping angels on their own for years now and they've been doing quite well without any other angel mate or group. In fact, they're quite happy actually!

I've read around a lot and asked many experts and they said that it's ok to have an angelfish kept alone. Of course, it would be BETTER to have them in a group or pair but they won't really be harmed if they live alone.

 

[lloyd]

Possibly true but what is the point in keeoing an animal if you cant offer them optimum conditions. i have also been keeping angels long enough for me to understand basics like what types of angels there are in the wild (although not currently) and in my opinion a happy angel is an angel in a group. its completly pointless to keep a singleton