What am I?

I am a fresh water tropical fish, originally from South America. I can grow up to 6” in length! My body looks like a disc or Frisbee on edge with long fins coming out of the top and bottom. My tail is vertical and may be shaped like a scoop shovel, or be long and narrow. I come in many kinds. The name Angelfish comes from two Greek words meaning "winged leaf" and "like a flight of stairs".

Where do I live?

I live best in a fish tank that holds at least 15 gallons of water. The bigger the tank, the bigger I will grow. Live plants should be a part of a freshwater tank. Live plants keep the water clear, slow algae and add oxygen to the water. If the plants look sick, it’s a warning that I may soon die.

What do I eat?

Although I can eat flake food alone, and many dried foods too, I enjoy many different live foods. Would you like to eat black worms and mosquito eggs? I love them along with adult Brine shrimp, Guppy fry and finely chopped earthworms. Whole earthworms are too big. If live food is not available, I will even eat frozen food, like Blood Worms and Midge Fly larvae which are available at the pet supply stores.

How long do I live?

I live up to about 10-12 years. But the cooler the water in my aquarium, the longer I will live. My metabolism (how I get energy & live) is controlled by this temperature. If the temperature is high, it makes me die quicker. If the temperature is low, it will help me live longer, but if it's too low, I can get sick easier. I need a good balance. I like the water temperature in the mid seventies.