Rio Nanay Angel

fish description – Rio Nanay Angelfish Care Guide ($Pterophyllum\ scalare$ ‘Rio Nanay’)

Category	Detail
Scientific Name	$Pterophyllum\ scalare$ (‘Rio Nanay’ Variant)
Common Name	Rio Nanay Angelfish, Peruvian Altum (Trade Name), Nanay Angelfish
Origin	Rio Nanay (tributary of the Amazon River, Peru)
Adult Size	6 inches long; 8–10 inches (20–25 cm) in height (fin-tip to fin-tip)
Temperament	Peaceful but territorial, semi-aggressive when breeding
Lifespan	8–12 years
Care Level	Moderate (sensitive to water quality; requires specific $\text{pH}$)

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Appearance and Sexual Differences

 

• Short Description: This Angelfish is noted for its taller body profile than standard farmed P. scalare, often featuring a pale base with distinct vertical dark stripes. The fins are long and flowing, making it a graceful fish that demands vertical swimming space.
• Coloration: Typically silver or pale gold base color with dark, vertical stripes. Some individuals may show natural reddish or pink speckling (Peru Spotted Altum strain). Males are slightly larger and may develop a subtle nuchal hump. Females are rounder-bodied, especially when carrying eggs.
• Fins: Long dorsal and anal fins. Fins should be smooth and intact.
• Behavior: A gregarious fish that prefers to swim in groups in the middle water column. They are generally peaceful but will form monogamous pairs that become intensely territorial and aggressive when guarding a spawning site (a vertical surface).

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Tank Requirements and Water Parameters

 

• Minimum Tank Size: 40 gallons (150 liters) is the minimum for a small group. The tank must be tall (20 inches minimum) to accommodate their height.
• Schooling: Best kept in a group of at least 5–6 individuals to reduce shyness and internal aggression. Pairs will form naturally as they mature.
• Temperature: Tropical range: $76^\circ$–$84^\circ\text{F}\ (24^\circ$–$29^\circ\mathrm{C})$ (ideal $77^\circ$–$82^\circ\text{F}$). Stability is important.
• pH Level: Soft, slightly acidic water is preferred: 6.0 to 7.2. Wild-caught specimens do best in low hardness ($\text{GH}$ 5–15 $\text{dGH}$) and very clean water. Adding driftwood and Indian almond leaves to create blackwater is highly beneficial.
• Aquascape: Requires a tall tank with tall, broad-leaf plants (e.g., Amazon Swords) and vertical driftwood pieces to provide cover and potential spawning sites. Filtration should be gentle but efficient.

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Diet and Feeding

 

The Rio Nanay Angelfish is an omnivore with a carnivorous tendency.

• Staple Diet: High-quality flake food and sinking pellets formulated for omnivorous cichlids.
• Supplementation: A varied diet is essential for health. Offer frozen or live foods regularly: Bloodworms, Brine Shrimp, Daphnia, and occasional vegetable matter (spirulina, blanched zucchini).
• Schedule: Feed small portions once or twice a day. They are slow, methodical eaters; monitor to ensure they get their full meal without fast fish stealing the food.

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Compatibility

 

• Caution: Peaceful but opportunistic predators—will consume any fish small enough to fit in their mouth (e.g., Neon Tetras, micro rasboras, shrimp fry). Avoid fin-nipping fish (e.g., Tiger Barbs). Mated pairs become highly aggressive toward all tank mates during breeding.
• Good Tank Mates: Larger, peaceful Tetras (Rummy Nose, Congo, Black Skirt), Rainbowfish, Gouramis (Pearl, Moonlight), and bottom-dwellers like Corydoras catfish and Bristlenose Plecos.