Marble Angelfish Care Guide: Tank, Diet & Mates

Quick Facts

What Is a Marble Angelfish?

The Marble Angelfish is not a distinct species found in the wild. Instead, it is a color morph of the common Freshwater Angelfish, Pterophyllum scalare. Through generations of selective breeding, aquarists have developed this variety to display a striking “marbled” pattern where black patches are randomly distributed over a silver or white body, much like a piece of marble stone.

Each fish is unique, with no two having the exact same pattern. Some may even display hints of gold or yellow, especially around the head, and are often called Gold Marble Angelfish.

Appearance & Identification

The defining feature of the Marble Angelfish is its coloration. Beyond that, it shares the classic angelfish profile: a laterally compressed, diamond-shaped body with long, elegant dorsal and anal fins.

• Pattern: Irregular patches of black over a silver or white base. The intensity and coverage of the marbling vary significantly.
• Finnage: The standard fin type is common, but a popular variation is the Marble Veil Angelfish, which has been bred to have exceptionally long, flowing fins.
• Size: They can grow up to 6 inches long, but their height, including fins, can reach 8 inches or more, which is why a tall aquarium is crucial.

Temperament & Behavior

Marble Angelfish are cichlids, and they exhibit typical cichlid behavior. They are generally considered “semi-aggressive.”

• In a Community: They are usually peaceful and glide gracefully through the tank. However, they will establish a pecking order within their own group.
• Territorial Nature: As they mature and form breeding pairs, they can become highly territorial, especially towards other angelfish. They will claim a section of the tank and defend it vigorously.
• Predatory Instincts: Adult angelfish will eat any fish or invertebrate small enough to fit in their mouths, such as small neon tetras, guppy fry, and shrimp.

Tank Requirements & Habitat

Tank Size and Shape

The single most important factor for an angelfish is tank height. A standard 20-gallon tall tank is the absolute minimum for a single pair, but a 30-gallon or 55-gallon tank is much better, especially for a small group of 4-5. The tall shape allows them to stretch their fins and swim naturally.

Aquascape and Decor

To make your Marble Angelfish feel at home, create an environment with plenty of vertical decorations.

• Plants: Tall, broad-leafed plants like Amazon Swords, Vallisneria, and Java Fern are perfect. They provide security and potential spawning sites.
• Driftwood: Tall pieces of driftwood or root structures mimic their natural Amazonian habitat.
• Open Space: Ensure there is still plenty of open water in the middle of the tank for swimming.

Lighting for Plants and Fish Color

To support the health of plants like Amazon Swords and truly bring out the iridescent colors of your Marble Angelfish, you’ll need quality lighting. We recommend an adjustable, full-spectrum LED light. A great, cost-effective option is the Hygger Aquarium Light, which has a 24/7 cycle and customizable colors.

Water Parameters

While adaptable, Marble Angelfish thrive in stable, clean water that mimics the soft, acidic conditions of the Amazon.

• Temperature: 76°F to 82°F (24°C to 28°C)
• pH Level: 6.0 to 7.5
• Water Hardness: 3 to 10 dGH
• Filtration: A good filter (like a hang-on-back or canister filter) is essential, but ensure the outflow is not too strong, as they prefer slower-moving water. Regular weekly water changes of 25% are vital.

Our Recommended Heater & Filter Setup

To maintain a stable temperature, a reliable and adjustable heater is non-negotiable. For a 30-55 gallon tank, we recommend the Eheim Jager TruTemp Heater (150W) for its accuracy and durability.

For filtration, a system with a gentle, adjustable outflow is ideal. Canister filters or high-quality hang-on-back filters work best. Our top picks for a 55-gallon angelfish tank are:

• Fluval 407 Canister Filter: Extremely quiet and powerful, with space for custom filter media.
• Seachem Tidal 55 Hang-on-Back Filter: Easy to maintain and includes a surface skimmer.

Diet and Feeding

Marble Angelfish are omnivores and are typically easy to feed. A varied diet is key to their health and coloration.

• Staple Food: A high-quality tropical flake or pellet food should be the foundation of their diet.
• Frozen/Live Foods: Supplement their diet 2-3 times a week with treats like brine shrimp, bloodworms, daphnia, and tubifex worms.
• Feeding Frequency: Feed once or twice a day, providing only as much food as they can consume in 2-3 minutes to avoid overfeeding and waste.

Our Recommended Angelfish Foods

• Staple Pellet/Flake: For a high-quality daily food that won’t cloud your water, we recommend New Life Spectrum Cichlid Formula or Hikari Cichlid Gold.
• Frozen/Live Foods: For treats, Hikari’s frozen Brine Shrimp and Bloodworms are excellent, clean options that trigger a natural feeding response.

Marble Angelfish Tank Mates

Choosing the right tank mates is crucial to maintaining a peaceful community.

Good Tank Mates:

• Peaceful, mid-sized fish that are not known for fin-nipping.
• Tetras: Black Skirt, Lemon, Rummy Nose, and Congo Tetras.
• Catfish: Corydoras and Bristlenose Plecos.
• Livebearers: Mollies, Platies, and Swordtails.
• Gouramis: Pearl and Blue Gouramis.

Tank Mates to Avoid:

• Fin Nippers: Tiger Barbs are a classic example and will shred angelfish fins.
• Aggressive Cichlids: African Cichlids, Oscars, and Jack Dempseys.
• Very Small Fish: Neon Tetras, Ember Tetras, and Guppies may be eaten by adult angelfish.
• Freshwater Shrimp: Cherries, Amanos, and others will likely become expensive snacks.

Breeding Marble Angelfish

Breeding Marble Angelfish is a rewarding experience. They form monogamous pairs and are excellent parents.

1. Forming a Pair: The best way to get a breeding pair is to purchase a group of 6 juvenile angelfish and raise them together. A pair will naturally form as they mature.
2. The Spawning Site: The pair will select and meticulously clean a vertical surface. This could be a broad plant leaf, a piece of slate, a filter intake, or the aquarium glass.
3. Laying Eggs: The female will lay rows of eggs on the cleaned surface, and the male will follow closely behind to fertilize them.
4. Parental Care: Both parents will guard the eggs, fanning them with their fins to provide oxygen and warding off any other fish that come near.
5. Raising the Fry: Once the fry hatch and become free-swimming (in about 5-7 days), they can be fed newly hatched baby brine shrimp or other microscopic foods. For a higher survival rate, many breeders move the eggs to a separate rearing tank.

Common Health Issues

Marble Angelfish are susceptible to common freshwater diseases, often linked to stress from poor water quality.

• Ich (White Spot Disease): Tiny white spots on the body and fins. Treatable with medication and by slowly raising the water temperature.
• Fin Rot: Frayed or decaying fins, usually caused by a bacterial infection from poor water conditions.
• Bloat: A swollen abdomen, which can be caused by poor diet or internal parasites.

The best prevention for all of these is maintaining pristine water quality through regular tank maintenance.

How to Set Up a Marble Angelfish Tank: Checklist

1. Step 1: Set Up and Cycle the Aquarium
   Choose a tall aquarium of at least 30-55 gallons. Set it up with substrate, a heater, and a gentle filter. Most importantly, allow the tank to fully cycle for 4-6 weeks to build up beneficial bacteria before adding any fish.
2. Step 2: Install and Test Equipment
   Ensure your aquarium heater maintains a stable temperature between 76-82°F (24-28°C). Use a sponge pre-filter on your filter’s intake to protect the angelfish’s delicate fins.
3. Step 3: Aquascape the Habitat
   Decorate the tank with tall plants (like Amazon Swords or Vallisneria) and driftwood. This provides security and mimics their natural environment, while leaving open space for swimming.
4. Step 4: Gather Essential Supplies
   Purchase reliable test kits for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and pH. Stock up on high-quality flake/pellet food and a variety of frozen foods like brine shrimp and bloodworms.
5. Step 5: Prepare a Quarantine Tank
   Set up a separate, smaller quarantine tank (10-20 gallons). This is crucial for observing new fish for illness for 2-4 weeks before introducing them to your main aquarium.
6. Step 6: Select Compatible Tank Mates
   Research and choose peaceful, mid-sized tank mates that are not known for fin-nipping. Avoid very small fish that could be eaten and aggressive species that will bully your angelfish.
7. Step 7: Establish a Maintenance Routine
   Plan for a weekly water change of 25-35%. Have a water siphon and dedicated aquarium buckets ready to make the process efficient and consistent.

Sources

• Seriously Fish — Pterophyllum scalare
• FishBase — Pterophyllum scalare
• Smithsonian NMNH — Pterophyllum scalare

For a wider overview of care basics, see our Freshwater Angelfish pillar.