{"product_id":"panda-angelfish-pterophyllum-scalare-freshwater","title":"Panda Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;color:#1a1a1a;max-width:860px;line-height:1.7;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E3F2FD;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Your order is reserved, we hold off on bagging until you arrive so it stays healthy in its display tank.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003ePanda Angelfish\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003ePterophyllum scalare\u003c\/em\u003e) is a captive bred color form built around one striking idea: a clean pearl white body scattered with inky black blotches, finished with a dark mask across the face and eye. Add the trailing filament fins and the slow, deliberate glide angelfish are loved for and you have a centerpiece fish that holds a tall tank on its own. It is an intermediate, semi-aggressive cichlid with real personality, which is most of the appeal and all of the homework. Browse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fresh-water\"\u003efreshwater livestock and supplies\u003c\/a\u003e while you plan the tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#FFF8E1;border-left:4px solid #F9A825;padding:10px 14px;margin:14px 0;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRead this before you buy.\u003c\/strong\u003e That silver dollar sized juvenile becomes a 6 inch long fish standing 8 inches tall from fin tip to fin tip, and it is a cichlid, not a community peacemaker. A grown angelfish will eat Neon Tetras, Ember Tetras, Chili Rasbora, and dwarf shrimp. It is not aggression, it is dinner. Plan for a tall tank of 29 gallons or more and pick tank mates too big to swallow.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eEvery Panda Is Different\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePanda is a pattern, not a fixed blueprint. Every fish carries its own arrangement of black patches over the white base, so no two in the tank look alike and we cannot promise a specific pattern from the photo. Pick the one you like in person and we will bag that fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTheir markings also move. Angelfish shift their black pigment with mood, lighting, and age: a stressed or newly moved fish often goes pale and washed out, a confident settled fish darkens up. Many pandas gain or lose spotting as they mature, and juveniles frequently look plainer than they will at full size. Give a new fish two weeks in your tank before you judge its color.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank size and shape:\u003c\/strong\u003e height matters more than footprint here. 29 gallons is the working minimum for one or a pair, 55 gallons and up for a group, and you want at least 18 inches of water depth so the fins are never folded against the glass.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater parameters:\u003c\/strong\u003e 78 to 84°F, pH 6.0 to 7.5. Angels are warm water fish, which is exactly why they pair so well with Discus and Sterbai Corys and so poorly with cool water species.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHow many:\u003c\/strong\u003e keep one, keep a bonded pair, or keep five or more so aggression spreads out. Groups of three or four are the trap: two fish pair off and gang up on whoever is left.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAquascape:\u003c\/strong\u003e tall plants, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/malaysian-driftwood-freshwater-aquascaping-hardwood\"\u003edriftwood\u003c\/a\u003e, and broad leaves such as \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/anubias-nana-anubias-barteri-nana-potted-freshwater-plant\"\u003eAnubias\u003c\/a\u003e to break sight lines, with open water in the middle for cruising. Gentle flow, since long fins fight a strong current all day.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e omnivore with a healthy appetite. A quality flake such as \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/xtreme-beef-heart-flake-discus-angelfish-food\"\u003eXtreme Beef Heart Flake\u003c\/a\u003e as the staple, rotated with frozen \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-bloodworms-cube-1-75oz\"\u003ebloodworms\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-cichlid-delight\"\u003eSFBB Cichlid Delight\u003c\/a\u003e a few times a week. Feed small portions twice daily rather than one large meal.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eExpect pairing behavior:\u003c\/strong\u003e as they mature two fish will choose each other, claim a leaf or a flat surface, and defend it. Perfectly normal cichlid behavior, and the reason a small tank with several adults eventually goes wrong.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater quality:\u003c\/strong\u003e tall bodies and long fins make them quick to show trouble. Stay on top of water changes; ragged or clamped fins are usually a nitrate problem before they are a disease problem.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;max-width:640px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003ePterophyllum scalare\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon names\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003ePanda Angelfish, Panda Marble Angel, Freshwater Angelfish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eSemi-aggressive, territorial when paired\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdult size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eAbout 6 inches long, up to 8 inches tall with fins\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum tank\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e29 gallons tall for one or a pair, 55 gallons for a group\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGroup size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eSingle, a bonded pair, or 5 or more. Avoid 3 to 4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e78 to 84°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e6.0 to 7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eOmnivore, quality flake plus frozen foods\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e8 to 10 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eAmazon basin, South America. Panda is a captive bred color form\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater type\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eFreshwater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePickup\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIn-store pickup at Squeaky's Aquatics\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBuild the community around the angel rather than dropping the angel into an existing nano tank. Good company means fish that are calm, warm water tolerant, and too large to be swallowed: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/black-skirt-tetra-gymnocorymbus-ternetzi-freshwater\"\u003eBlack Skirt Tetras\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/boesemani-rainbowfish-melanotaenia-boesemani-freshwater\"\u003eBoesemani Rainbowfish\u003c\/a\u003e, and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/pearl-gourami-trichopodus-leerii-freshwater\"\u003ePearl Gourami\u003c\/a\u003e up top, with \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sterbai-cory-corydoras-sterbai-freshwater\"\u003eSterbai Corys\u003c\/a\u003e and a \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/bushynose-pleco-ancistrus-freshwater\"\u003eBushynose Pleco\u003c\/a\u003e working the bottom. Sterbai in particular are one of the few corys that genuinely enjoy angelfish temperatures. Other angels and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/discus-assorted-symphysodon-spp-freshwater-cichlid\"\u003eDiscus\u003c\/a\u003e also work in a large enough tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat goes wrong: anything small enough to fit the mouth eventually disappears, so skip Neon and Ember Tetras, Chili Rasbora, Celestial Pearl Danio, and shrimp colonies. Long trailing fins are a target for nippers, which rules out Tiger Barbs and Serpae Tetras. Avoid cool water fish such as White Cloud Minnows and most goldfish tankmates, since nobody wins at a compromise temperature. Finally, a breeding pair will clear a corner of the tank and mean it, so give a bonded pair enough room or expect casualties.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/xtreme-beef-heart-flake-discus-angelfish-food\"\u003eXtreme Beef Heart Flake\u003c\/a\u003e staple built for angels and discus\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-cichlid-delight\"\u003eSFBB Cichlid Delight\u003c\/a\u003e frozen conditioning food\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-bloodworms-cube-1-75oz\"\u003eSFBB Frozen Bloodworms\u003c\/a\u003e the treat that brings them to the glass\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/ocean-nutrition-freshwater-community-formula-flake\"\u003eOcean Nutrition Community Flake\u003c\/a\u003e for the rest of the tank\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/malaysian-driftwood-freshwater-aquascaping-hardwood\"\u003eMalaysian Driftwood\u003c\/a\u003e vertical structure and sight breaks\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/anubias-nana-anubias-barteri-nana-potted-freshwater-plant\"\u003eAnubias Nana\u003c\/a\u003e tough broad leaves they will not shred\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it really eat my Neon Tetras?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, once it is big enough, and it will take its time getting there so the loss feels sudden. This is the most common angelfish regret we hear. If neons are staying, the angel should not.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I keep one in a 20 gallon?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA juvenile will be fine for a while, but a standard 20 is too short for an adult and the fish ends up with folded or damaged finnage. If a 20 is the tank you have, a 20 tall works better than a 20 long, and a 29 works better than both.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill my two angels breed?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eVery possibly. Angelfish pair off readily and will lay eggs on a leaf, filter intake, or the glass. First few batches usually get eaten, which is normal. Expect the pair to become noticeably more territorial once they start.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy does mine look faded compared to the store tank?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eStress and new surroundings. Angelfish drop their black pigment when unsettled and darken again once they feel at home. Give it a couple of weeks, keep the lights moderate, and make sure it has cover.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow many should I get?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOne is genuinely fine, and a single angel in a community tank is a great look. If you want more, jump to five or six rather than stopping at three or four, since a small group is where bullying concentrates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs the panda pattern stable as it grows?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMostly, but not guaranteed. Black markings can spread, shrink, or shift as the fish matures. You are buying a pattern range rather than a fixed design, which is part of what makes each one interesting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49138588156123,"sku":"8030230","price":20.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/panda.jpg?v=1786706990","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/panda-angelfish-pterophyllum-scalare-freshwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}