ANGELFISH ALBINO DANTUM 5cm

Albino Dantum angelfish (also sold as Datum; albino Dantum is the common morph) are a captive-bred Pterophyllum line, not a wild species. Breeders bred the fish for a taller, more altum-like profile without full altum size or difficulty. Trade fish are usually listed as Pterophyllum scalare or as an altum × scalare cross. The albino form, pale body and red eyes, is the one most often sold. Adult size: about 15 cm body length; fin height up to about 25 cm.

Colour does not change the care. Silver/wild-type and albino Dantums are the same fish aside from pigment. Aim for warm, slightly soft, stable water.

INFO: Care is the same as a good domestic angelfish, with extra tank height because the fins run long.

TANK SET UP: Height matters more than floor space. Leave an open mid-water lane, and add tall plants (Amazon sword, vallisneria), vertical driftwood, and one broad leaf or slate they can claim later as a spawn site. Sand or fine gravel is fine.

NOTE: Short tanks bend the dorsal and anal fins and stunt the fish.

TANK MATE: Suitable company: larger tetras (rummynose, bleeding heart, congo), rasboras, corydoras, bristlenose plecos, hatchetfish.

FILTRATION: Gentle-to-moderate water flow with a turnover rate of 4 to 6 times the aquarium volume per hour, best supplied by a canister filter or a sponge filter.

MAINTENANCE: Ammonia and nitrite: 0 ppm; nitrate: under 20 ppm. Change 25–30% weekly.

FEEDING:

• Staple food: quality cichlid or angelfish pellet or flake, small enough for the mouth

• 2–3 times a week: frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp, mysis, or daphnia

• Once a week; spirulina flake or a little blanched vegetable

• Feed twice a day.

NOTE: Live food is useful when conditioning a pair, not required for general keeping