Philippines Blue Angelfish - Pterophyllum Scalare

Philippines Blue Angelfish | A Rare and Iridescent Selectively Bred Showpiece

The Philippines Blue Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare) is one of the most captivating and visually distinctive colour varieties of the classic freshwater Angelfish available in the hobby today. Developed through careful selective breeding, the Philippines Blue displays a stunning steel-blue to silver-blue iridescence across its tall, elegant body that shifts and shimmers with every movement under aquarium lighting — a cool, refined colouration that stands apart from the warmer tones of more common Angelfish varieties. Combined with the breed's characteristic flowing fins and graceful, unhurried swimming style, the Philippines Blue Angelfish is a genuinely breathtaking centrepiece for any tall, planted aquarium.

Still relatively rare compared to standard scalare varieties, this is the kind of Angelfish that experienced fishkeepers stop and ask about.

Philippines Blue Angelfish Care Guide

Care at a Glance

• Scientific name: Pterophyllum scalare
• Adult size: up to 6 inches (15 cm) body length, up to 8 inches (20 cm) tall including fins
• Minimum tank size: 29 gallons for a pair — tall tanks strongly preferred over shallow ones
• 55 gallons or more recommended for a group
• Temperature: 78–84°F (25–29°C)
• pH: 6.5–7.5
• Gentle filtration — Angelfish dislike strong currents
• Lifespan: 10 years or more with good care

Philippines Blue Angelfish Tank Setup

Angelfish thrive in tall, well-planted aquariums that reflect their natural Amazon Basin habitat. Tall plants such as Amazon Swords, Vallisneria, and Anubias, combined with vertical driftwood and open swimming lanes, suit their body shape and swimming style perfectly. Dark substrate and soft, slightly acidic water will bring out the full depth of the blue iridescence, making a noticeable difference to how vivid and striking these fish appear. Subdued lighting and gentle filtration complete the picture — avoid strong currents that stress their delicate fins.

Feeding Your Philippines Blue Angelfish

Omnivores with a healthy appetite. A high quality flake or cichlid pellet forms a solid staple diet, supplemented regularly with frozen or live foods such as bloodworm, brine shrimp, and daphnia to keep them in top condition and enhance their colouration.

How Many Philippines Blue Angelfish Should You Keep?

We always recommend keeping Angelfish in groups of five or more in a community tank. In our experience, lone Angelfish or pairs tend to become the bullies of the tank — but in a larger group, their social hierarchy keeps them focused on each other rather than pestering their tank mates. The more the merrier! As they mature they will begin to pair off naturally, and bonded pairs may become territorial during breeding, so plenty of space and tank mates helps keep the peace.

Philippines Blue Angelfish Tank Mates

• Larger tetras such as black skirts, bleeding hearts, and Congo tetras
• Corydoras, plecos, and peaceful bottom dwellers
• Peaceful gouramis and larger rasboras
• Avoid very small fish such as neon tetras and guppies — adult Angelfish will eat them
• Avoid fin-nipping species such as tiger barbs