How To Breed Angelfish
Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare) are one of the most iconic freshwater species, known for their elegant shape, long fins, and stunning color variations. While they breed fairly easily in captivity, breeding for high-grade angelfish requires patience, knowledge, and careful selection to produce top-tier fish with ideal form, coloration, and health.
Whether you're looking to improve a specific color strain or develop your own line, this guide covers the essentials of breeding angelfish for quality, not just quantity.
What Defines “High-Grade” Angelfish?
High-grade angelfish typically have:
Symmetrical, tall body shape with long, flowing fins
Clear, intense coloration (especially in strains like koi, platinum, blue, black, or veil varieties)
Straight fin rays without bends, tears, or deformities
No gill, spine, or mouth deformities
Consistent genetics that pass quality traits to offspring
Each strain has unique standards, so research what makes a "show quality" example of your chosen variety.
Start With Top-Quality Breeding Stock
The foundation of any high-grade line is the quality of your breeders.
Source your breeders from reputable, experienced angelfish breeders
Avoid pet store stock if your goal is show or breeder-grade fish
Pick pairs with strong coloration, good shape, and no visible deformities
If possible, view offspring from their lineage to assess consistency
Buy juveniles and raise a group to maturity to let natural pairs form, or purchase proven breeding pairs if available.
Ideal Breeding Setup
Angelfish are territorial when spawning, so a dedicated tank ensures success and safety.
Tank size: 20–29 gallons per pair
Substrate: Bare bottom for easy cleaning
Filtration: Sponge filter or gentle HOB with pre-filter sponge
Water parameters:
Temp: 78–82°F (25–28°C)
pH: 6.5–7.2
Soft to moderately hard water
Weekly 25–40% water changes
Add a vertical surface (like a breeding cone, slate, or filter pipe) for egg-laying.
Pair Behavior & Spawning
Once a pair bonds, they will begin cleaning surfaces and defending a territory. Females will lay 200–500 eggs in neat rows, which the male fertilizes.
Watch for:
Egg fanning and guarding
Aggression toward other fish
Eggs turning white (unfertilized or fungus)
Remove eggs if the pair consistently eats them and hatch them artificially using methylene blue and an air stone.
Raising High-Quality Fry
Hatching: Eggs hatch in 2–3 days; fry become free-swimming after ~5 days.
Feeding: Start with newly hatched baby brine shrimp 3–4 times per day.
Growth: Do frequent water changes and feed heavily to maximize growth and fin development.
Culling: Cull fry with severe deformities, stunted growth, or damaged fins early.
Selective Breeding for Quality
As the fry grow:
Observe color development, body shape, and fin symmetry
Cull aggressively—even small defects should be removed if breeding for show or resale
Keep the best 10–20% for the next generation
Track pairings, lineages, and traits to avoid inbreeding and maintain progress
If breeding color strains (like koi or black), breed only the best-colored offspring to enhance those traits over generations.
7. Record Keeping and Long-Term Line Development
Keep logs of pairings, hatch rates, growth patterns, and fry quality
Rotate breeders from parallel lines (Line A & B) to reduce inbreeding
Evaluate offspring every generation and only breed your best fish
Selective breeding takes several generations to lock in high-grade traits, but the results are worth the effort.
Final Thoughts
Breeding high-grade angelfish is both an art and a science. While they breed easily, producing exceptional specimens requires a disciplined approach: choose excellent stock, keep detailed records, and cull with a goal in mind. Whether you're improving an existing strain or creating your own line, the rewards come in the form of strong, striking, and beautiful angelfish you'll be proud to raise.
