Koi Angelfish Care Guide
Koi Angelfish are a selectively bred color morph of the freshwater angelfish, Pterophyllum scalare. The “koi” name comes from their pattern – a bright white body splashed with orange-red and black blotches that mimic the koi pond fish. Young koi angels show heavy orange on the head and shoulders that often fades with age. They are graceful, intelligent, and full of personality – real cichlids in a tall, planted display tank.
Quick Stats
- Scientific name: Pterophyllum scalare (Koi color form)
- Adult size: 6 inches body length, 8+ inches tall including fins
- Minimum tank: 29 gallons for one; 55+ for a pair or small group
- Temperature: 76-84°F
- pH: 6.5-7.5
- Hardness: 4-12 dGH
- Diet: Omnivore, leans carnivorous
- Temperament: Semi-aggressive, territorial when breeding
- Lifespan: 8-10 years with good care
Tank setup
Angels need height because of their tall fins. A 29-gallon tall is the minimum for one mature angel. For a pair, go to 55 gallons; for a small group of five or six, a 75 or 90 is appropriate. Tall driftwood pieces, broad-leaved plants (Amazon swords, large Anubias), and a dim, planted background suit them. They are at their best in tanks designed for a wild South American river: planted, shaded, slow current, soft to moderate water.
Filtration should be moderate and gentle – canister filters with the output baffled, or HOBs aimed at the glass to disperse current. Angels do not like strong flow. Keep the tank covered; they jump rarely but it does happen, especially during territorial disputes.
Water
Angels are soft-water Amazonian fish. Aim for pH 6.5-7.2, GH 4-10, temperature 78-82°F. Stability is what matters most – a steady pH of 7.4 is far better than a swinging pH of 6.8. Nitrate should stay under 20 ppm; long-term high nitrate is the biggest preventable cause of premature death in angels.
Tankmates and the size problem
This is where most angelfish keeping goes wrong. Adult angelfish will eat anything small enough to fit in their mouths – and their mouths get big. Neon tetras, ember tetras, and other micro-fish that look perfect as tankmates for young angels become snacks once the angels mature. If you want a long-term community tank with angels, plan for it: rummynose tetras, lemon tetras, congo tetras, larger rasboras (harlequin, scissortail), pearl gouramis, and peaceful Corydoras all do well. Avoid fin-nippers, other cichlids that are not specifically peaceful, and tiny tetras.
Multiple angels work in a big tank but the dynamic is unpredictable. Six juveniles will pair off as they mature, and the bonded pair will often dominate or chase the singles. A 75-gallon tank can usually accommodate one bonded pair plus a couple of singles, but be ready to move fish if it goes poorly.
Diet
Angels are omnivores that lean carnivorous. Quality cichlid pellet or flake as the base, plus frozen bloodworms, mysis, brine shrimp, and the occasional blackworm two or three times a week. Vary the diet. Feed twice a day in modest portions – it is easier to overfeed angels than underfeed them, and bloat is common in heavily-fed angels.
Ordering from us
Angels ship well as juveniles – silver-dollar to quarter size. We follow our standard Shipping & Acclimation procedure with 60-minute drip acclimation. Larger adult angels are stressful to ship and not something we normally do. If you want a coordinated set of juveniles likely to pair as they grow, email help@jojoaquatics.com before ordering.
— The JoJo Aquatics team, Key West, Florida
