Smoky Blue Angel

fish description – Smoky Blue Angelfish Care Guide (Pterophyllum\ scalare‘Smoky Blue’ Strain)

Category	Detail
Scientific Name	$Pterophyllum\ scalare$ (‘Smoky Blue’ Strain)
Common Name	Smoky Blue Angel, Philippine Blue Smokey Angel, Blue Pinoy
Origin	Amazon River Basin (Selectively Bred Strain)
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 (primarily due to size and social needs)

 

 

Appearance and Sexual Differences

 

• Short Description: This fish has the signature tall, triangular angelfish shape. Its body displays a captivating blend of dark, muted markings (Smoky) and an all-over metallic blue or turquoise iridescence that can be very visible under aquarium lighting.
• Coloration: The body color is a translucent, shimmering silver/blue, with muted black markings. The blue sheen is most intense in healthy, adult males. Males are slightly larger, often develop a subtle nuchal hump (forehead slope), and have a pointed breeding tube. Females are rounder-bodied, especially when carrying eggs.
• Fins: Long, flowing fins (though shorter than Veiltail strains).
• Behavior: A graceful, mid-to-upper level swimmer that is gregarious but will establish a hierarchy. Mated pairs become intensely territorial and aggressive when guarding a spawning site.

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Tank Requirements and Water Parameters

 

• Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons (208 liters) is highly recommended for a group of adults. The tank should be tall (20 inches minimum) to accommodate their height.
• Schooling: Best kept in a group of 4–6 juveniles or sub-adults to allow pairs to form naturally and distribute aggression.
• Temperature: Tropical range: $75^\circ$–$84^\circ\text{F}\ (24^\circ$–$29^\circ\mathrm{C})$ (ideal $78^\circ$–$82^\circ\text{F}$). Stability is important.
• pH Level: Highly adaptable: 6.0 to 7.5. They accept a wide range of water hardness but require pristine water quality. Gentle filtration that avoids strong currents is best.
• Aquascape: Requires tall, broad-leaf plants (e.g., Amazon Swords) and tall driftwood arranged vertically to provide visual breaks and potential spawning sites (vertical flat surfaces). Provide fine or smooth gravel substrate. Gentle water flow is critical.

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Diet and Feeding

 

The Smoky Blue Angelfish is an omnivore with a preference for animal proteins.

• Staple Diet: High-quality flake food and sinking pellets formulated for omnivorous cichlids.
• Supplementation: A varied diet is essential for color and 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 and should be monitored to ensure they receive their full meal.

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Compatibility

 

• Caution: Peaceful but opportunistic feeders—will consume any fish small enough to fit in their mouth (e.g., Neon Tetras, micro rasboras, shrimp fry). Avoid all 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.