Scalare

Schultze described Scalare in 1823. It lives for 7 years or even more. Pterophyllum scalare is its scientific name. Its common names other than Scalare are Angelfish, Gold, Black, Silver, Koi Angelfish, Albino, Marbeled Angelfish and the like. It appears there is a common name for each color variety. It grows to 6 inches or 15 cms. If you have become fascinated to know more about Scalare, grasp the following account.

Geographical Distribution

Scalare inhabits slow moving rivers in South America, central Amazon River basin and tributaries to Peru, eastern Ecuador and Brazil.

Diet

Scalare is an omnivorous fish. Live, fresh and flake foods are enjoyed by it. Feed it everyday with a high quality flake food or pellet to keep a good balance. It greedily eats brine shrimp whether live or frozen and blood worms. Lettuce or spinach can also be given to it. Scarcely give it mosquito larvae.

Breeding

It is not difficult to breed Scalare. It is an egg layer and lays eggs on rocks or plants. Up to 1000 eggs are laid by a female. Be careful to remove fry or parents from the tank, so that fry are not gobbled up by parents and can be raised.

Physical Characteristics

Body of Scalare is laterally compressed and has a unique diamond shape and pointed snout. Naturally, Scalare is found with black bars on its silver body. Its dorsal and anal fins are oversized. It has a long and flowing tail fin. The tail fin can develop streamers on the outside corners in mature fish. It has very long and delicate pectoral fins. Sometimes, due to a few natural mutations this fish is found in solid blacks and in lace forms and without bars. These days several popular varieties are available.

Tank Set Up

Tank for Scalare should hold at least 40 gallons of water. If you are keeping many Scalares, then go for a larger tank. Filteration should be very efficient and strong. It requires good water movement. Place hardy plants around the inside edge. Also provide some roots and rocks and be careful to leave ample swimming space at the center. Keep the lighting subdued. 15%-20% of water changes are needed weekly which depend on bio load. They are prone to diseases that make suffer all the freshwater fish. Unlike other Cichlids, this fish does not burrow and thus does not harm plants. Temperature required by this fish is 24 degree C to 28 degree C or 75 degree F to 82 degree F and pH should be 6.0 to 7.5. Its water preferences are not critical but it prefers soft and slightly acidic water.

Social Behavior

Scalare is a good community fish but gets territorial as it gets older. Smaller fish do not get along with it. It is noteworthy and worth an appreciation that it doesn’t disturb plants.

You can easily find Scalare in fish stores and also online in many diverse colors and fine varieties. Copious varieties of Scalare have been developed over the years. Though it is considered to be a good community fish but it may not be that social with smaller fish. It is a little bit docile and can be scared by fast movements and shadows.