Santa Isabel Angelfish 4–5cm – a rare, elegant freshwater beauty ideal for planted tanks. Graceful, peaceful, and thrives in soft, warm, well-maintained aquariums.

Add a touch of the Amazon’s elegance to your aquarium with the Santa Isabel Angelfish (4–5 cm) — a striking and rare wild-type variant of Pterophyllum scalare, admired for its natural vertical striping, streamlined body, and peaceful temperament. Originating from the Santa Isabel region of the Rio Negro in Brazil, this angelfish is known for its calm demeanor and beautiful, slightly golden to bronze body with bold dark bands. Ideal for both species-only and peaceful community tanks, the Santa Isabel Angel is a favorite among advanced hobbyists and aquascapers seeking a more naturalistic look.

This fish is perfect for well-maintained, soft-water aquariums with tall plants, driftwood, and calm water flow. Though relatively undemanding, it truly thrives when kept in Amazon-style conditions and offered a varied, protein-rich diet.

🌿 Key Features & Benefits:

• ✅ Rare Wild-Type Variant:
  Sourced from the Santa Isabel region, this angelfish displays natural coloration with subtle golden hues and bold vertical bars — a prized choice for collectors.

• ✅ Juvenile Size (4–5 cm):
  Small and adaptable, making it easy to acclimate into existing tanks or grow out with care into a show-quality adult (can reach up to 15 cm body height with fins).

• ✅ Elegant Swimmer:
  Known for its slow, gliding motion, perfect for planted or aquascaped tanks with tall vegetation and vertical swimming space.

• ✅ Peaceful Temperament:
  Ideal for community tanks when paired with non-aggressive tank mates. Social with its own kind — best kept in groups of 4–6 for natural behavior.

💧 Water Conditions:

• 💠 Temperature: 26–30°C (79–86°F)

• 💠 pH: 5.5–6.8 (soft and slightly acidic)

• 💠 Hardness: 1–6 dGH

• 💠 Tank Size: Minimum 100 liters (for a small group), with a tall vertical profile

• 💠 Flow: Low to moderate – prefers calm waters like its native habitat

To replicate its natural Rio Negro environment, consider adding Indian almond leaves or driftwood to release tannins and lower pH naturally.

🐟 Ideal Tank Mates:

• Small, peaceful Tetras (Cardinals, Lemons, Rummy-nose)

• Pencilfish

• Corydoras catfish

• Dwarf Gouramis (peaceful types)

• Apistogramma (in well-spaced tanks)

• Avoid: Fin-nippers (e.g., Tiger Barbs) and aggressive cichlids

🍽️ Feeding Habits:

• Omnivorous — enjoys a varied diet

• Feed a mix of:

  • High-quality micro pellets or flakes

  • Frozen or live foods (bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia)

  • Occasional blanched vegetables (zucchini, spinach)

• Feed 2–3 times per day in small portions

A protein-rich diet helps develop their vibrant coloration and supports growth during their juvenile stage.

🧼 Care Tips:

• Perform 20–30% weekly water changes to maintain excellent water quality

• Provide tall plants and vertical hiding spots (e.g., driftwood, rock walls)

• Avoid sudden changes in temperature or pH — they prefer stable conditions

• Use a gentle sponge filter or slow current to prevent fin damage

📦 Product Details:

• Size: 4–5 cm (juvenile)

• Scientific Name: Pterophyllum scalare (Santa Isabel variant)

• Temperament: Peaceful to mildly territorial (especially during breeding)

• Origin: Santa Isabel, Rio Negro, Brazil

• Minimum Tank Size: 100L (recommended more for groups)