Standard

The standard freshwater angelfish is the normal-finned form of Pterophyllum scalare, the tall-bodied South American cichlid behind most domestic angelfish strains. In aquarium use, standard may mean the basic body and fin type rather than a special color; many people also use it for the classic silver angelfish with dark vertical bars. Compared with veil or other long-fin forms, a standard angelfish has shorter dorsal, anal and caudal extensions, which keeps the outline closer to the wild fish and usually makes movement through planted tanks easier.

Standard angelfish are kept in warm, clean freshwater aquariums with enough height for their compressed bodies and enough room for adult pairs to claim space. They accept quality flakes or pellets supplemented with frozen or live foods, and they do best with tankmates that will not nip fins or outcompete them at feeding. For breeders, standard fins are useful in outcrossing programs because they can strengthen body shape and swimming ability when working with color lines such as marble, koi, gold, black or blue. Pair quality is judged as much by body form and parenting behavior as by pattern.

Colors: Black, Blushing, Chocolate, Double Dark, Gold, Half Black, Koi, Leopard, Marble, Philippine Blue, Platinum, Silver, Smokey, Sunset, Zebra