By AFT Editorial • Last Update: October 10, 2025
Breeding freshwater angelfish is a multi-step process that begins with a conditioned pair and a dedicated breeding tank containing a vertical spawning surface, such as a slate or cone. Spawning is typically triggered by warm (80-82°F / 27-28°C), pristine water. After eggs are laid and fertilized, they hatch in approximately 2 days, with the fry becoming free-swimming about 5-7 days later. The most critical factor for survival is providing the fry with newly hatched baby brine shrimp as their essential first food.
Witnessing a pair of angelfish meticulously care for their eggs and raise their young is one of the most rewarding experiences in the aquarium hobby. While it may seem daunting, breeding freshwater angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare) is an achievable goal for the dedicated aquarist. This guide will walk you through the entire process, from selecting a healthy pair to raising a batch of healthy, vibrant fry.
Success in breeding starts with a healthy, compatible pair, so a solid understanding of general freshwater angelfish care is the perfect starting point. You have two main approaches:
Once you have a pair, the conditioning phase begins. This is crucial for encouraging spawning and ensuring healthy egg development.
While a pair might spawn in a community tank, it’s best to move them to a dedicated breeding tank to maximize the survival rate of the fry.
With the pair conditioned and the tank ready, you can encourage them to spawn.
You’ll know they are close when they begin meticulously cleaning their chosen spawning site. The female’s breeding tube (ovipositor) will also become visible—it’s short, blunt, and rounded. The male’s is smaller and more pointed.
The pair will make several “dry runs” over the clean surface before the female begins laying rows of adhesive eggs. The male follows closely behind, fertilizing them. This process can take over an hour and result in 100 to 300+ eggs.
Once the eggs are laid, you have a choice to make.
Good parents will take turns fanning the eggs with their pectoral fins to provide oxygen and prevent fungus. They will pick out any unfertilized (white) eggs.
To guarantee a higher yield, you can remove the eggs and hatch them yourself.
The eggs will hatch in approximately 48-60 hours. The newly hatched fry, called “wigglers,” will remain attached to the spawning site, surviving on their yolk sacs. If the parents are present, they may move the wigglers around the tank.
After another 5-7 days, the fry will consume their yolk sacs and become free-swimming. This is the most critical moment—they are now hungry and need their first meal immediately.
The key to raising healthy fry is providing the right food at the right time.
Maintaining water quality is paramount. Siphon off any uneaten food and waste from the bare bottom daily and perform small, daily water changes (10-15%).
Even with the best preparation, things can sometimes go wrong—this is a natural part of the breeding process! Instead of seeing them as failures, view these challenges as learning experiences for both you and your new breeding pair. Here’s how to identify and solve the most common problems.
Breeding freshwater angelfish is a journey of patience and observation. Not every attempt will be perfect, but the experience of watching new life flourish is unparalleled. By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to successfully raising the next generation of these graceful “kings of the aquarium.”
Good luck!
The basic process for breeding angelfish involves several key steps: 1. Obtain and condition a compatible male-female pair with high-protein foods. 2. Set up a dedicated breeding tank (20-gallons is ideal) with a vertical spawning surface like a slate. 3. Trigger spawning with warm (80-82°F), clean water. 4. Once eggs are laid and fertilized, they will hatch in about 2 days. 5. The fry become free-swimming in another 5-7 days and must be fed newly hatched baby brine shrimp for survival.
The price for a breeding pair of angelfish can vary widely, typically from $50 to over $150 USD. The cost depends on several factors, including the rarity and desirability of the breed (e.g., Philippine Blue vs. Silver), the size and health of the fish, and whether they are a 'proven pair' that has successfully raised fry before.
Angelfish are substrate spawners that form monogamous pairs. Their natural breeding habits include the pair selecting and meticulously cleaning a vertical surface (like a plant leaf or submerged log). The female then lays adhesive eggs in rows, and the male follows closely behind to fertilize them. Good parents will guard the territory fiercely, fan the eggs to provide oxygen, and remove any unfertilized eggs to prevent fungus.
Yes. Most angelfish 'breeds' available in the hobby (like Marble, Koi, Black, Zebra, and Silver) are simply color and fin variations of the same species, Pterophyllum scalare. Because they are the same species, they can and will readily mate with each other. This cross-breeding is how new varieties are often developed by hobbyists and breeders.
You can find angelfish breeding pairs for sale from several sources. Reputable local fish stores may have them or can special order them. The best sources are often local breeders, which you can find through aquarium clubs, social media groups, or online forums. Specialized online retailers also frequently list juvenile and adult pairs for sale.
Yes, you can absolutely keep different breeds (color varieties) of angelfish together in the same aquarium. Their care requirements are identical regardless of color. The standard rules for keeping angelfish still apply: provide a sufficiently large and tall tank and keep them in a proper group (either a single pair or a group of 6+) to help manage their natural cichlid territoriality.
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