Altum Angelfish

AquariumFish.com loves Altums and offers this "holy grail" fish to experts and people trying to become expert hobbyists. These are truly wild fish and need expert care to get them acclimated, so please do research. One interesting note on these fish: China loves altums too! While visiting our exporters in Bogota this fall, our warehouse manager watched an export of 4,000 altums go out to China. Apparently, raising altums is the next big thing for hobbyists in that country.

Please research, and ensure you have low-pH water (no higher than 6.5 and preferably lower) and live brine shrimp, worms, small feeder guppies, or similar foods. Also, these fish prefer temps around 80 degrees.

Quick Facts

Care Guide

Tank setup: Altums need very soft and acidic water, warm temperatures, gentle flow, driftwood and tall plants. Keep the water exceptionally clean.

Feeding: Start with frozen foods like brine shrimp, then slowly add flake or pellets, which some altums eventually accept.

Tankmates: Keep them with other altums or very calm, soft-water fish like larger tetras and corydoras. Avoid anything boisterous, which will stress these shy fish.

Breeding: Angelfish pair off and lay eggs on flat surfaces like broad leaves or slate. A breeding pair can become territorial, so give them room and places for other fish to retreat.

Good to know: Altums are wild-caught and the most demanding angelfish. They need very soft, acidic, warm water and calm tankmates, and may only take frozen foods at first.