The Zebra Angelfish, named for its eye-catching black-and-white striped pattern that gives it a distinctive and refined appearance, is a magnificent addition to any aquarium. This freshwater fish is a favorite of both novice and expert aquarists because it is not only gorgeous but also reasonably easy to care for. It is a variation of the well-known angelfish.
The elegant Zebra Angelfish elevates any aquatic setting with its long, graceful fins and eye-catching markings. Although they occasionally exhibit territorial behavior, especially during breeding season, these fish are generally peaceful. They are a great option for community tanks due to their laid-back personality and ability to get along with a wide range of tank mates.
A few essential details regarding Zebra Angelfish care should be understood if you plan to add one to your aquarium. Knowing what they require—from tank configuration to water conditions—will guarantee their survival and well-being. Let’s examine the fundamentals of maintaining a happy home aquarium for zebra angelfish.
Attribute | Details |
Scientific Name | Pterophyllum scalare |
Common Names | Zebra Angelfish, Zebra Cichlid |
Origin | South America (Amazon Basin) |
Size | Up to 6 inches (15 cm) in length |
Tank Requirements | Minimum 20 gallons, with plenty of swimming space |
Water Conditions | Temperature: 76-82°F (24-28°C), pH: 6.8-7.8 |
Diet | Omnivorous; eat flakes, pellets, and live or frozen foods |
Behavior | Generally peaceful, but can be territorial |
Tank Mates | Compatible with other peaceful species |
Zebra angelfish compatibility
Picture of a zebra angelfish
Angelfish are calm schooling fish by nature, but they become extremely aggressive during the breeding season. Gets along well with peaceful fish species, such as swordtail tetras and small tetras (such as neons and amanda tetras). They get along well with small loricariid catfish and corydoras as neighbors.
Guppies and goldfish are incompatible with angels. Although they are "relatives," discus are not the ideal neighbors for angelfish, in our opinion. Discus are irrational, prefer warm water (30+), and develop into big fish. We generally support keeping discus apart, in their own species aquarium.
What to feed zebra angelfish?
To the stern, the fish are omnivorous and utterly unassuming. Hamsters, both specialized and live feeds. We advise utilizing proven Tetra feeds from branded feeds. Visit the company’s official website to learn more about them – here.
When purchasing food for aquarium fish, it’s important to check the product’s expiration date. Avoid purchasing feed based on weight or in deteriorated packaging. Fish food deteriorates like any other product, and if storage guidelines are broken, pathogenic flora can grow there.
Due to its graceful appearance and comparatively simple care requirements, the Zebra Angelfish, with its eye-catching black and silver stripes, is a popular choice among aquarium enthusiasts and is a great addition to the collections of both novice and expert aquarists.
Breeding and reproduction of striped angelfish
During mating season, males tend to the females. The eggs, which are affixed to the surface of the aquatic vegetation in the nest area, are watched over by both the male and female.
Male and female calaria sexual differences are not well expressed. Only when the fish are 9–12 months old and have reached sexual maturity can they be observed. Nobody will tell you who to take when you purchase young animals at the pet store up until this point.
From the knowledgeable fish breeder Vitaly Chernyavsky:
1) Conduct is not a standard. Without a male, two females will frequently imitate the male’s sexual behavior in turn. But if you look closely, you can see that the "male" and the "female" will then switch places, allowing BOTH fish to lay eggs (which are naturally unfertilized).
2) There are both males and females who have foreheads.
3) The line connecting the back and abdomen is the sole distinct indicator of gender differences in adult fish. In the male, the abdomen and anal fin almost form a STRAIGHT line, while the back and dorsal fin form an ANGLE. Conversely, in the female, the anal fin and abdomen nearly form a right angle, while the back and dorsal fin form an almost STRAIGHT line.
We include this drawing, which will assist in identifying the sex of the calaria by looking at the angle of its fins, based on the expert’s opinion.
PLEASE TAKE NOTE.
The male and female in this image of Calaria are confused, and it is widely circulated on the Internet with misleading information. This illustration is from "Aquarium Fish Farming," by Ilyin. Thus, the artist had confused the fish there.
Indeed, and those who sculpt this drawing on their websites on the Internet. They themselves do not cut off the male and female’s locations, deceiving everyone. Everything in this drawing is accurate!
When calaria are well-maintained and comfortable, spawning takes place right in the shared aquarium. Replacing aquarium water with fresh and raising the temperature by 2-4 degrees is the trigger for spawning. The substrate that is used for laying is crucial to this procedure. Scalaria frequently favor broad-leaved plants as their preferred nesting sites, but they may also enjoy other locations, such as a filter tube, glass, a grotto wall, etc.
After the parents have meticulously cleared the area of all dirt, the spawning process begins. A female can lay 500 eggs at a time on average, up to 1000 eggs in a large one.
During the two days that the eggs are incubating, the parents vigorously fan the eggs with their fins to clear them of debris and remove any whitened or dead eggs. The parents move the larvae to another leaf in their mouths once they hatch from the eggs. This is done to improve cleanliness and remove any chance of contracting an infection from the eggs’ rotting shell.
The larvae hang on the leaf for the next seven days while the parents keep a close eye on them. The larvae become fry when the yolk sac runs out of nourishment for them. They should be fed from this point on.
Starter food for calaria fries should be fresh, clean, and of the highest caliber. We can suggest nematodes and nauplii. You can feed the fry any mashed dry food, though this is not recommended as it will result in more dead fry. Additionally, it’s advised to remove food particles and other dirt from the spawning aquarium twice a day.
A typical instance of calaria reproduction is the procedure described above.
Because of their close proximity to other fish in the same aquarium, parents and young fish frequently go through a lot of stress. Naturally, this has no positive outcome. In some cases, parents have even eaten their children after becoming upset with their neighbors. Additionally, it is now challenging to locate a responsible pair of parents who could raise their offspring on their own because industrial angelfish breeding uses the technique of egg transfer. This is regarded as miraculous.
In light of this, the eggs and the leaf they are on are typically transferred into a different aquarium with a capacity of 10–20 liters as soon as spawning occurs. In this instance, you are expected to perform all parental duties. Methylene blue is added to the water, white dead eggs are routinely removed with a pipette, and a sprayer with a very weak aerated stream of water is placed under the leaf to protect the eggs from fungal diseases.
Angelfish illnesses
Next, we’ll list the most typical signs of illnesses that affect angelfish:
– rubs up against different surfaces – invasion (odium, fish semolina, etc. d.). treated with all formalin and malachite green preparations: Antipar, Sulfur Costapur, Tetra Contralk.
Causes bloating, ruffling, and whole body rocking; it also causes gastrointestinal tract inflammation. Metronidazole treatment is recommended if the stage is not terminal.
– Angelfish with hazy eyes. usually happens as a result of skirmishes. Iodinol, with gentle thudding. Moderate severity: the eye is directly dripped with metrogyl. Serious and severe septic tanks. Usually, it goes away on its own in a few weeks as long as there aren’t any more arguments or stressful situations.
Mushrooms; cotton wool fluff on the body. any agent fungicidal. Usual methylene blue will be beneficial.
These and a variety of other fish are always available at the physical supermarkets Aqua Logo and the internet retailer Aqua-Shop. Live goods delivery is offered in Moscow and Missouri.
Zebra angelfish are a magnificent addition to any aquarium, adding character and beauty to the submerged world. Their elegant movements lend a touch of elegance to the tank, and their striking black and white stripes make them stand out.
Zebra angelfish are easy to care for, but they still need attention and the right conditions, just like any other pet. They will stay healthy and flourish if you provide them with a balanced diet, a clean and well-kept habitat, and peaceful tank mates.
Zebra angelfish provide both visual appeal and a soothing presence, making them an all-around rewarding species to keep. They can be a dependable and entertaining member of your aquarium community if given the proper care.