Rio Nanay Angelfish Pterophyllum Scalare 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 Rio Nanay Angelfish is a wild-type strain with classic silver flanks, bold vertical black bars and subtle spotting on the body, closer to the natural form than most farmed morphs. Its tall, elegant shape and long fins are unmistakable. Named for the Nanay River in Peru, it suits keepers seeking a natural-looking centrepiece.
- Adult Size: Around 15 cm (6 in) long; body height up to 20 cm (8 in) including fins
- Lifespan: 8–10 years, sometimes longer
Origin
- Native to: Amazon basin: Peru, Colombia, Brazil and the Guianas
- Habitat: Slow, vegetated backwaters and flooded forest with submerged roots
Feeding
- Diet: Omnivorous, leaning carnivorous
- Preferred Foods: Quality flake, cichlid pellets, bloodworm, brine shrimp, daphnia, mysis
- Feeding Habits: Feed small amounts once or twice daily; vary dry, frozen and live foods
Tank Mates
- Best with: Medium peaceful fish: larger tetras, rainbowfish, corydoras, plecs, gouramis
- Avoid: Neon-sized tetras, fin-nippers such as tiger barbs, dwarf shrimp
Aggression & Behaviour
- Temperament: Generally peaceful cichlid; squabbles within the group are normal
- Territoriality: Pairs become territorial and guard a spawning site
Experience Level
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Challenges: Needs a tall tank, stable warm water and thoughtful tank mate choice
Water Parameters
- Water Type: Freshwater, soft to moderately hard, slightly acidic to neutral
- Temperature: 24–30°C (75–86°F)
- pH: 6.0–7.4
- Hardness: 0–15 dGH
- Flow: Slow to moderate
- Tank Size: Minimum 200 litres; at least 50 cm tall; larger for a group
Final Notes
Wild-type angelfish grow fast and need a tall tank from the beginning; a group of six allows pairs to form. These strains appreciate softer, slightly acidic water, dim light and leaf litter or driftwood, which makes them show their best pattern. Pairs spawn on broad leaves and guard the eggs. Sexing is difficult outside breeding. With a calm community around them they make a striking, natural display.
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.