Within the first six months of life, Angelfish will have the fastest growth rate. During the first six months, they will grow from 0.5 inches to 4 inches. Angelfish will reach their maximum size between 8 and 12 months, and most Angelfish will reach 5-6 inches in length and 8 inches in height.
Angelfish are typically sold when they are around 1-2 inches in length. All Angelfish are taller than long, and Angelfish can be pretty hardy, making them an excellent addition to your aquarium. Not all Angelfish will have the same growth rate, and certain factors can influence how fast Angelfish grow.
How Fast Can Angelfish Grow?
Although Angelfish see the most growth within the first six months of life, they don’t typically grow as quickly as other fish. However, fish species like the Red Oscar are known to be more vigorous growers. When Angelfish are well cared for, they can grow to 8 inches in length and nearly 12 inches in height and can live up to 10 years.
Angelfish are highly sensitive to ammonia, nitrates, and other waste materials. If an Angelfish is exposed to unfavorable conditions, there can be a reduction in its growth rate. At six months old, Angelfish are considered adults, their growth rate will slow down, and it can take a number of years for them to reach their full size.
Do Angelfish Grow To The Full Size Of The Tank?
If Angelfish are kept in a crowded tank, they can grow up to 6 inches; if kept in a bigger tank, they can reach 10 inches. Angelfish prefer a tank that is more spacious and less crowded. The best conditions for Angelfish to grow is in a tank that has very low acidity and low alkaline levels, where the pH is between 6 and 8.
It’s best to set up the ideal aquarium conditions to help your Angelfish grow to its full potential. This involves keeping the tank clean and having a larger tank over a smaller one. If your Angelfish are left in a small tank, additional stress is placed on them, and they are likely not to grow as fast or get as big.
How Do You Make Angelfish Grow Faster?
The best way to make Angelfish grow faster is by creating favorable aquarium conditions suitable for their growth. This includes:
Maintaining Water Quality In Your Angelfish Tank
The ideal water conditions for Angelfish are a temperature of 78-84 degrees Fahrenheit and a pH of 6.8-7.8. There should be no ammonia and nitrates in the water. Frequent water changes are also recommended to keep your angel fish healthy.
You can change between 10-40% of the water weekly. However, this depends on the tank size and the number of fish you have. There is no set rule on how much water should be changed, but 10-40% is usually preferable.
With Angelfish, the nitrogen, nitrate, and nitrite levels should not increase as this can stress out the fish, compromise their immune system, and make the fish more likely to get sick.
Providing Angelfish With The Right Nutrients
Angelfish have a large appetite and require feeding at the correct intervals. The best way to feed Angelfish is with 3-4 small meals daily instead of 1 or 2 big meals per day. Angelfish should be given enough food for them to consume within 30-40 seconds.
Pellets or flake food that is specially formulated for tropical fish is best, or if you can find one for Angelfish, that’s even better. Angelfish are omnivores, and adding nutritious food like mealworms, small fish, micro worms, and crickets can benefit their diet and growth.
Keeping Angelfish In A Suitably Sized Tank
Angelfish should be kept in larger tanks and thrive when they have space to swim freely. Smaller tanks get dirty quickly, and it’s much easier for waste to build up. This can put excess stress on your Angelfish and lead to stunted growth.
Angelfish that are kept in smaller tanks means that your fish get less exercise, which also leads to stunted growth.
Create A Calm Environment For Your Angelfish
A calm and stress-free environment is essential for the growth of your Angelfish. Angelfish are prone to stressors like a change in their environment, polluted water, overcrowding, and an unbalanced diet. Fish that are constantly stressed have reduced appetite, grow slower, aren’t able to reproduce, and get sick more easily.
To keep your Angelfish stress free, make sure you’re providing the best aquarium environment for them to live in.
How Fast Do Different Species Of Angelfish Grow?
There are many species of Angelfish, but the ones commonly found in aquariums come from P. scalare. These Angelfish have evolved through selective breeding, which has created specific colors and patterns and is completely domesticated.
Some of the most popular species of Angelfish that are commonly found are:
| Types Of Angelfish And Their Growth Rate | ||
| Type Of Angelfish | Identification | Growth Potential |
| Altum Angelfish | Silver body with brown or black verticle stripes. These Angelfish are larger, deeper, and flatter than most other species of Angelfish. | The Altum Angelfish is the biggest recorded species of Angelfish and can reach between 7 and 9 inches long. |
| Zebra Angelfish | Zebra Angelfish are similar to silver Angelfish but have four stripes down their body with one stripe down the eye. | Zebra Angelfish, like most other Angelfish, only grows to 6 inches long and at the same rate as other species of Angelfish. |
| Golden Marble Angelfish | Golden Marble Angelfish have gold marbled patches on their body. | The Golden Marble Angelfish can reach up to 6 inches in length. |
| Silver Angelfish | The Silver Angelfish are the most commonly found Angelfish. They are distinguished by their red eyes, black stripes, and silver body. | The Silver Angelfish reach up to 6 inches but has been known to grow to 10 inches in the wild. |
| Black Lace Angelfish | Black Lace Angelfish are completely black in color and are one of the most popular Angelfish found in home aquariums. | The black Lace Angelfish can reach 6 inches in length when kept in captivity. |
| Blushing Angelfish | The Blushing Angelfish is entirely white in color with a distinctive orange fin and orange cheeks. | Blushing Angelfish reach 6 inches in an aquarium. |
| Half Black Angelfish | The Half Black Angelfish is characterized but a mostly white body and black tail and fins with orange eyes. | The Half Black Angelfish also reaches 6 inches in size. |
Conclusion
Angelfish grow the most within the first six months of their lives. Most adult Angelfish reach their full length (6 inches) when they are between 8 months and a year old. The best way to encourage your Angelfish to grow faster is to ensure their ideal living conditions and nutritional requirements are met.