The dwarf angelfish is native to the Amazon River in South America.
The dwarf angelfish is a freshwater aquarium fish of the genus Pterophyllum, often confused with small varieties of saltwater angelfish of the genus Centropyge. They originate from just three freshwater river regions in South America, including the Amazon River. The Pterophyllum leopoldi, or Leopold angelfish, is the smallest variety of the genus and grows up to 4 inches (10 centimeters) in size.
The fox-faced rabbitfish makes a good tank mate for angelfish.
Freshwater angelfish are considered a good choice for those just starting out with their home aquarium practice. They are popular fish species in pet stores, making them easy to find and one of the most colorful and aesthetically beautiful freshwater fish in general. Dwarf Angelfish also tend to have strong personalities and will interact with people trying to get their attention when they are around the aquarium. The three species of tropical freshwater angelfish available to add to aquariums are Pterophyllum leopoldi, Pterophyllum altum, and Pterophyllum scalare, in a wide variety of colors and markings.
The coral beauty angelfish is considered a dwarf angelfish.
The genus as a whole has a very flattened triangular body with large decorative dorsal and ventral fins that make them immediately recognizable. The most common coloration for dwarf angelfish is a silvery body with vertical black stripes, but species such as the leopoldi are gold with silver stripes, and altars are gold with black stripes. They can also have a marbled effect where there are whorls of black and silver on the body, or be solid black, pearlescent gold, or red with white spots similar to the colors of goldfish and carp.
A freshwater angelfish tank should be fairly tall as dwarf dwarfs like to swim vertically in the tank and if the tank is large enough they will not display territorial or aggressive behavior. Other fish that can complement a tank with dwarf dwarf fish should be those also found in South America, such as coris or bristle catfish, but common tetras and plecos found in pet stores are also a good option. . A good rule of thumb for tank size is at least 11 gallons (40 liters) per dwarf angelfish and a minimum height of 20 inches (50 centimeters), but the more space and height in the tank, the better.
Angelfish are generally peaceful if bought and raised together in groups of six or more. However, they can be aggressive and territorial within the group, and leopolds tend to exhibit these traits more, so the aquarium environment for them needs to be more precisely controlled. They are a generally social fish and tend to stick together in a group. When spawning, there can be rivalries within the group, and the spawning pair will need to be separated from the rest of the tank. A single spawning can produce up to 1,000 eggs, which hatch in just a few days, so preparations must be made in advance, such as obtaining enough brine shrimp to feed the young.