Classic Koi Angelfish – Orange, White and Black on a Line-Bred Scalare

The Classic Koi Angelfish is one of the most recognisable line-bred forms of Pterophyllum scalare, and it earns its name honestly: a deep orange crown over a clean white body, broken by irregular black blotches, in the same three-colour pattern that makes koi carp so collectable. No two are marked alike – the black patches sit differently on every fish, and the orange spreads with age rather than arriving fully formed. These are domestically bred angelfish, not wild imports, which means they settle into a community tank quickly and tolerate a much wider range of water conditions than their wild ancestors from the Amazon. Available in two fin types: Standard, with the classic tall triangular profile, and Veil, whose fins and filaments trail dramatically as the fish matures.

Classic Koi Angelfish Key Features

• Three-Colour Koi Pattern: Orange crown, white flanks and irregular black markings – the classic koi combination, unique on every individual fish.

• Colour Develops With Age: Young fish show less orange and more white. The crown intensifies as they mature, and the black markings shift with mood and lighting. A Small will not look like a full-grown adult on day one.

• Two Fin Types: Standard fin keeps the tall triangular silhouette; Veil carries long trailing dorsal, anal and ventral filaments that lengthen with maturity.

• Domestically Bred: Tank-raised, not wild caught. Far more forgiving of tap water chemistry and already used to prepared foods, which makes this a good angelfish for a first cichlid.

• Grows Tall, Not Long: Pterophyllum scalare reaches roughly six inches from dorsal tip to anal tip, so tank height matters more than length.

Classic Koi Angelfish Care Requirements

• Tank Size: Minimum 30 gallons for a pair, and choose height over footprint – a tall tank lets the fins develop fully and keeps veil filaments clear of the substrate.

• Water Temperature: 76–84°F (24–29°C). Domestic strains handle the whole of that range comfortably; the warmer end encourages faster growth and colour development.

• pH Range: 6.5–7.5, soft to moderately hard. Unlike wild scalare, these tank-bred fish do not need blackwater conditions and will thrive in ordinary conditioned tap water.

• Diet: Omnivorous and enthusiastic. A quality flake or slow-sinking pellet as the base, with frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp and daphnia several times a week. Colour foods rich in carotenoids help the orange crown reach its full intensity.

• Tank Mates: Peaceful with fish too large to be swallowed – rummynose and lemon tetras, corydoras, Apistogramma and discus all work well. Avoid fin-nippers such as serpae tetras and tiger barbs, which will shred veil filaments.

Why Choose Our Classic Koi Angelfish

Angelfish are only as good as the stock they came from, and thin, poorly conditioned juveniles never colour up properly no matter how well you keep them. At Amazonia Tropical Fish LLC, our Classic Koi Angelfish undergo a rigorous, multi-week quarantine process. They are prophylactically treated for internal and external parasites and are verified to be eating well before they are ever offered for sale. You are receiving premium, stabilized stock.

Shipping & Live Arrival Guarantee

We safely ship these angelfish nationwide from our US-based facility using specialized, insulated packaging. Every order is fully covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee.