Altum, which is the Latin word for tall, appropriately describes the Altum angelfish. The tallest of the freshwater angelfish, it can attain a height of 12" and a length of 6". The Altum is a species of Pterophyllum that originates from the waters of the Rio Orinoco in Venezuela. More explicitly, they are found in the Amazon waterway basin where the upper Negro River drains, and from the Orinico river basin.

Altum angelfish are silvery colored with tan vertical stripes. This striped patterned helps them hide among the vertical plant life native to the region. The mouth of the Altum looks as though it is pointed. The forehead of the Altum is steeply sloped and the body is taller. Four dark, cross ways bands cover the body, and one or two faint bands are also present. The first dark band runs through the eye; the second runs near the mid-section of the body, while the third runs from the tip of the dorsal fin, through the body, and to the tip of the anal fin. The final band runs on the caudal penuncle.

Being a such a big angelfish, they need a larger and higher tank. Aquariums should be a minimum of 30" tall and 4 ft long. The aquarium ought to be decorated with sizable pieces of bogwood that if possible should reach the waters surface. Sizable leafed plants like Amazon swordsplants can also be beneficial and are typically left alone.

Low nitrate levels and slowly filtered water are also important to keeping Altums healthy. These circumstances carefully correspond with their native natural environment. Water quality is a fundamental component to effectively raising Altum angelfish since most are captured in the in their natural habitat.

Unlike the common angelfish, the Scalare, Altums can be tough to keep and successfully raise in captivity. This is due largely to the fact that practically all Altum sold are wild caught, not domestically farmed. Because of this they can more difficult to get and not a lot of folks try and keep them.

Since they are wild caught fish, Altums can be challenging to come across at times. And one must be cautious of phony Altums being sold. They can be challenging to tell apart from Scalares if not properly trained.

Although Altums are calm, they can also be extremely defensive. As a result, Altums are not the greatest of community fish. They can be successfully kept with a good number serene fish, and are ideally kept with other calm type from the similar area such as Discus and Tetras. Also keep in mind that no matter how peaceful Altum appear to be, they will eat smaller fish if given the occasion. Smaller tetras such as cardinals and neons would most likely turn out to be expensive fish food.

Altums have an incredibly insatiable appetite. They like eating live foods. As most are caught from the wild, they will prefer to eat live food. However, you will be able to feed them food such as frozen brine shrimp, granular fish food, and live and frozen blood worms.

Despite providing great water conditions and a good diet, Altum angelfish can be difficult to raise and even more challenging to breed. Determining the sex can also be exceptionally tricky, as it is with nearly all of the angelfish species.

Want to discover other great Altum Angelfish Tips? Visit our website at http://angelfishbreeding.slhost3.com. While your there feel free to sign up for our free "Angelfish Breeding and Care" email mini-course.

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Written by Bradley Potts using tags: Altum Angelfish, Angelfish, aquariums, fish tanks, freshwater aquariums, Pets, tropical fish