Peruvian Altum Angelfish Pterophyllum Scalare 5cm
Image for illustration purposes only. Exact colours, patterns, and size may vary between individuals.
Delivered alive, guaranteed
Live fish delivery is £20 per order, delivered Thursday, Friday or Saturday, arriving before 1:00pm on the day you choose at checkout. Packed by aquatic specialists and shipped overnight with a dedicated livestock courier, every fish is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee with automatic refunds. See How Live Fish Delivery Works for full details.
When will my fish arrive?
| Order placed | Delivery day |
|---|---|
| Up to Monday 11:00am | Thursday (that week) |
| Monday after 11:00am – Tuesday 11:00am | Friday (that week) |
| Tuesday after 11:00am – Wednesday 11:00am | Saturday (that week) |
| Wednesday after 11:00am – Sunday (any time) | Thursday (following week) |
Overview
The Peruvian Altum is a wild-type Angelfish from the Rio Nanay in Peru, with a taller body, brownish-silver tones and crisp dark bars that recall the true Altum. It is Pterophyllum scalare, but far closer to the wild fish than farmed strains. A rewarding choice for keepers wanting a natural-looking angel in a blackwater-style biotope.
- Adult Size: Around 15 cm (6 in) long, up to 25 cm (10 in) tall
- Lifespan: 8–10 years
Origin
- Native to: Rio Nanay, upper Amazon, Peru
- Habitat: Slow blackwater streams among roots and leaf litter
Feeding
- Diet: Carnivorous, leaning omnivorous
- Preferred Foods: Bloodworm, brine shrimp, mysis, daphnia, quality granules, flake
- Feeding Habits: Feed once or twice daily; wean wild fish with frozen foods
Tank Mates
- Best with: Larger tetras, hatchetfish, Corydoras, discus, peaceful plecs
- Avoid: Neon tetras, fin-nippers, dwarf shrimp, boisterous cichlids
Aggression & Behaviour
- Temperament: Semi-aggressive; generally calm
- Territoriality: Squabbles within the group; pairs guard spawning sites
Experience Level
- Difficulty: Intermediate to Advanced
- Challenges: Prefers soft acidic water, dim light and careful quarantine
Water Parameters
- Water Type: Freshwater, soft and slightly acidic
- Temperature: 25–30°C (77–86°F)
- pH: 5.5–7.0
- Hardness: 0–10 dGH
- Flow: Slow to moderate
- Tank Size: Minimum 200 litres; at least 50 cm tall; larger for a group
Final Notes
Treat this as a wild fish rather than a farmed angel: it wants a deep, dimly lit tank with wood, leaf litter and soft, slightly acidic water, and grows fast into a tall adult. Raise a group of six and let pairs form; sexing is difficult outside spawning. Pairs lay on vertical surfaces and defend eggs vigorously. Small fish may be eaten once mature. Settled in a biotope, its natural colours are stunning.
Please Note
The livestock that is sold on our online site is not held in store at our Birchwood Aquatic Centre shop. Species sold at the Birchwood Aquatic Centre physical store may differ from ones available to order to your door.
Frequently Asked Questions
In insulated boxes designed for live transport, packed by aquatic specialists,
overnight with a licensed live-animal courier, arriving before 1pm.
It is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee.
Photograph it within 4 hours of delivery, email info@birchwoodaquaticcentre.co.uk with your order number, and the refund is processed automatically. The cover continues for 7 days after arrival.
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. You pick your day at checkout; please choose a day someone is home.
Yes. One basket, one checkout; the fish arrive with the specialist courier and the rest of your order ships as normal.
We can deliver to UK mainland only for live fish.
Follow the five-minute acclimatisation steps in our When Your Fish Arrive guide: float the bags, add tank water gradually, net the fish in, lights low, feed tomorrow.