Altum Angelfish Information

The Latin word for tall is altum, which correctly describes the Altum angelfish, the largest of the freshwater angelfish species. Altum angelfish come from the Amazon river basin in Venezuela.

The Altum angelfish, with their tan vertical stripes and silver body, are properly camouflaged amongst the long stemmed plants that is characteristic in their natural environment. Altums have a rather unique shaped mouth, which is rather pointed, and their forehead is steeply sloped. The first dark band runs through the eye; the second runs near the mid-section of the body, while the third runs from the tip of the dorsal fin, through the body, and to the tip of the anal fin. The final band runs on the caudal penuncle.

Being a such a sizable angelfish, they have need of a larger and taller aquarium. Tanks ought to be a bare minimum of 30″ tall and 4 ft long. The aquarium ought to be decorated with big pieces of bogwood that if feasible should reach the waters surface. Sizable leafed plants like Amazon swordsplants can also be useful and are generally left alone.

Ideal water conditions for your Altums would be very soft and only slightly acidic. A pH level of 4.5 to 6.5 are perfect. The water ought to also be warm, in the 82 to 86 degree range to match natural conditions. Low nitrate levels and slowly filtered water are also important to keeping Altums in good physical shape. These circumstances carefully match their native surroundings. Water excellence is a fundamental element to effectively raising Altum angelfish because nearly all are captured in the wild.

Because the Altum is ordinarily a wild caught fish, they can be much more complicated to care for than the more common angelfish, the Scalare. For that reason, not a lot of people endeavor to raise Altums.

Because they are wild caught fish, Altums can be challenging to locate at times. And one must be careful of fake Altums being sold. They can be tough to make out from Scalares if not well trained.

Altums are not ideal community fish, but they are relatively peaceful and generally can be kept with other peaceful fishes from the same region. Fish like Discus and Tetras by and large do OK. Altums are cichlids, however, and can be very territorial. Small fish might be considered food and should not be kept with cardinal and neon tetras given that Altum angelfish as all angelfish seem very fond of eating these. They ought to never be kept with regular angelfish since they can hybridize with (Pterophyllum scalare).

Altums, like other angelfish, have an insatiable appetite. Since they are usually caught wild, live food is the favored cuisine. Most will readily accept other foods over time, such as frozen brine shrimp and blood worms.

Despite providing great water conditions and a good diet, Altum angelfish can be challenging to raise and even more tough to breed. Determining the sex can also be exceptionally tricky, as it is with nearly all of the angelfish varieties.