Veil Angelfish

Looks how to spot one

Scales and long flowing fins

The Veil Angelfish has a tall, disc-shaped, compressed body typical of the species, but its dorsal, anal and caudal fins are dramatically elongated and flowing, giving a veil-like appearance. The body is silvery with dark vertical bars, though the veil gene can be combined with many colour morphs such as silver, koi, marble, black, zebra, albino and ghost.354

Personality what they are like

Generally peaceful for a cichlid, but can become semi-aggressive, especially during breeding and territorial disputes. They are mid-water swimmers that may establish hierarchies in groups. They should not be housed with fin-nipping species or very small fish that might be eaten.34

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Needs a tall aquarium with plenty of vertical swimming space. Provide dense planting, driftwood and gentle water flow. They are not overly active but appreciate open areas for swimming. A minimum of 30 gallons for a single, but larger for a group.34

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Regular water changes and good filtration are essential. Keep water temperature 24-30°C, pH 6.0-7.4, and hardness up to 15 dKH. Provide a varied diet of high-quality dry, frozen and live foods. Avoid keeping with fin-nippers.342

Home where they are happiest

Native to slow-moving, densely vegetated waters in the Amazon basin. In captivity, provide a tall, planted tank with driftwood and gentle flow. pH 6.0-7.4, temperature 24-30°C. Minimum 30 gallons for one, but 40 gallons or more for a pair. Not suitable for tiny tanks.124

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Omnivorous. Feed high-quality cichlid pellets once daily, supplemented 3-4 times weekly with frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia, and occasional vegetable matter like blanched spinach or spirulina flakes. Food should be consumed within 2-3 minutes.314

Company who they like around

Shoaling cichlid that does best in groups of 5 or more. Generally peaceful but territorial during spawning. Avoid fin-nippers and very small fish. Dwarf shrimp should not be kept with them. Provide plenty of space and hiding spots.243

The story where it all began

The Veil Angelfish is not a separate species but a selectively bred long-finned variety of the common freshwater angelfish, Pterophyllum scalare. Through selective breeding, aquarists have accentuated the dorsal, anal and caudal fins to create a dramatic, flowing veil-like appearance. The veil gene can be combined with any colour morph, such as silver, koi, marble, black, zebra, albino and ghost. This variety is popular in the aquarium trade and is almost always tank-raised.654

Recognised by the official bits

FishBase

Body compressed and disc-shaped; dorsal and anal spiny rays increasing in length from anterior to posterior; body silvery with dark vertical bars (7 in juveniles, 4 in adults).2

Aquatic Arts

Marble Veil Angelfish displays black, white, and silver coloration; thin, tall body; shoaling cichlid relatively peaceful compared to other cichlids.4