TAXONOMY 
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-likes)
Family: Cichlidae (Cichlids)
Subfamily: Cichlasomatinae

Genus/species: Pterophyllum altum

Altum Angelfish 4689972848_189e460e8f_b

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: Extremely compressed silvery body with two broad dark vertical bands. Remarkably long trailing pelvic fins. Altum refers to the dramatic height of their dorsal and anal fins. Length to 18 cm (7 inches). Max height 20 cm (7.87 inches). Orbital indentation differentiates from Pterophyllum scalare.

DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: South America: Amazon basin, in the upper Rio Negro drainage; Orinoco River basin.

DIET IN THE WILD: Carnivore

REPRODUCTION and DEVELOPMENT: External fertilization. Monogamous; pairs persist until partner dies or is separated. Clutch-tending guarders.

Altum Angelfish 3787890518_a572b4929f_b

MORTALITY/LONGEVITY: Preyed upon by other fishes. Subject to bacterial diseases and protozoan, fungal and worm infestations.

CONSERVATION: IUCN: Not evaluated.

Flooded Amazon AM05

Ref. fishbase, EOL

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