Altum Angelfish Orinoco Pterophyllum Altum 5cm
Image for illustration purposes only. Exact colours, patterns, and size may vary between individuals.
Delivered alive, guaranteed
Live fish delivery is £20 per order, delivered Thursday, Friday or Saturday, arriving before 1:00pm on the day you choose at checkout. Packed by aquatic specialists and shipped overnight with a dedicated livestock courier, every fish is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee with automatic refunds. See How Live Fish Delivery Works for full details.
When will my fish arrive?
| Order placed | Delivery day |
|---|---|
| Up to Monday 11:00am | Thursday (that week) |
| Monday after 11:00am – Tuesday 11:00am | Friday (that week) |
| Tuesday after 11:00am – Wednesday 11:00am | Saturday (that week) |
| Wednesday after 11:00am – Sunday (any time) | Thursday (following week) |
Overview
The Altum Angelfish is the tallest and most majestic of the angels, with a steep forehead notch, sweeping fins and elegant brown bars on silver. Wild-collected from the upper Orinoco, it is a true blackwater fish needing very soft, acidic, warm water. A prestigious choice for experienced keepers building a biotope.
- Adult Size: Around 18 cm (7 in) long, up to 35 cm (14 in) tall with fins
- Lifespan: 10–15 years
Origin
- Native to: Colombia and Venezuela; upper Orinoco and Rio Negro
- Habitat: Blackwater tributaries among submerged roots and branches
Feeding
- Diet: Carnivorous
- Preferred Foods: Bloodworm, brine shrimp, mysis, daphnia, blackworm, sinking granules
- Feeding Habits: Small feeds twice daily; wild fish need live or frozen to start
Tank Mates
- Best with: Discus, larger peaceful tetras, Corydoras, other altums in a group
- Avoid: Small tetras, fin-nippers, boisterous cichlids
Aggression & Behaviour
- Temperament: Peaceful but predatory towards small fish
- Territoriality: Moderate within a group; pairs guard spawning sites
Experience Level
- Difficulty: Advanced
- Challenges: Demands very soft acidic water, high heat and careful quarantine
Water Parameters
- Water Type: Freshwater, very soft and acidic blackwater
- Temperature: 28–32°C (82–90°F)
- pH: 4.8–6.2
- Hardness: 0–5 dGH
- Flow: Slow
- Tank Size: Minimum 300 litres; at least 60 cm tall for adults
Final Notes
Altums arrive small but need a deep, tall tank, RO-based water and pristine conditions for life; they are prone to hole-in-the-head and stress-related illness if parameters drift. Buy a group of six to let a pair form; sexing is difficult, with males showing a small nuchal hump near spawning. Breeding is rare in captivity and parents often eat their eggs. Dim light, branches and leaf litter make them thrive.
Please Note
The livestock that is sold on our online site is not held in store at our Birchwood Aquatic Centre shop. Species sold at the Birchwood Aquatic Centre physical store may differ from ones available to order to your door.
Frequently Asked Questions
In insulated boxes designed for live transport, packed by aquatic specialists,
overnight with a licensed live-animal courier, arriving before 1pm.
It is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee.
Photograph it within 4 hours of delivery, email info@birchwoodaquaticcentre.co.uk with your order number, and the refund is processed automatically. The cover continues for 7 days after arrival.
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. You pick your day at checkout; please choose a day someone is home.
Yes. One basket, one checkout; the fish arrive with the specialist courier and the rest of your order ships as normal.
We can deliver to UK mainland only for live fish.
Follow the five-minute acclimatisation steps in our When Your Fish Arrive guide: float the bags, add tank water gradually, net the fish in, lights low, feed tomorrow.