ANGELS IN DISGUISE

Mesmerizing, Fascinating, Enthralling… and what not! Angelfish are true ‘Angels in Disguise’. Their soft flowing lines and graceful movements bestow them with a unique aquatic angelic quality. Angelfish share some of the most spectacular-looking fish that you can keep in a marine aquarium. But surprisingly, we also have a Freshwater Angelfish! It is a beautiful fish from South America. Though not a true Angelfish, they get their name due to the wing-like shape of their fins; however, in reality, they are a type of Cichlid. Their exquisitely long fins trail behind them gracefully as they swim, creating a magnificent display! This species is gorgeous and has long been an excellent choice for many home aquarists.

- Priyanka Kaushal

Angelfish come in a variety of colours and shapes. Despite the numerous types, there are only three species: the common (Pterophyllum scalare), the altum (Pterophyllum altum), and the Leopold’s (Pterophyllum leopoldi). Most common amongst these is Pterophyllum scalare.

When you organize your aquarium, you spend a long time thinking about the varieties of fish you want to have.

If you are considering getting an Angelfish, the following are some of the most popular Angelfish varieties kept as pets:

BLUSHING ANGELFISH

The name comes from the two red gills that make this fish look like it is blushing. Lack of pigmentation on the gill cover (operculum) allows the red colour of the gills to show through. The gill colour can vary from pale orange to bright red, depending on the parentage. This variety is sometimes simply referred to as ‘blushing angels’. They typically have no dusky markings at all and no hint of stripes. The body is usually golden, but in some fish you will also notice a silver shade. In general, the golden colour appears after they reach maturity.

ZEBRA ANGELFISH