Pterophyllum -- known to most aquarists as angelfish -- is a small genus of freshwater fishes which originate from the Amazon River basin in tropical South America.
The three species of Pterophyllum are unusually shaped, which allows them to hide among roots and plants, often on a vertical surface.
Naturally occurring angelfish are frequently striped longitudinally, coloration which provides additional camouflage. Angelfish are ambush predators and prey on small fish and macroinvertebrates. All Pterophyllum species form monogamous pairs. Eggs are generally laid on a flattened leaf or submerged log.
The best known species of angelfish is Pterophyllum scalare, and like all angelfish, comes from slow moving sections of rivers in the Amazon basin. Angelfish also do not inhabit dense vegetation except when very young, when they school together and hide in vegetation for protection. Adults are much more frequently found amongst sunken driftwood where very few plants grow.
Average lifespan in an aquarium is 10 years, but there have been reported instances of individuals living twice as long.
Information source: Wikipedia
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