Scalar or Angel Fish | Selwo Marina

The Scalar fish is native to the calm waters of the Amazon River and Guyana in South America.

Its shape allows it to move around vegetation and tree trunks without getting trapped. This fish comes in a wide variety of colours.

It’s behaviour is gregarious and territorial until it finds a mate, to whom it bonds for life. There is no sexual dimorphism and it is only possible to distinguish between males and females at spawning time.

The female chooses the most aggressive-looking male because he will then defend the fry better and seems to have more reproductive experience. After mating, thefemale deposits 150-300 eggs on a hard, vertical surface, which can be leaves or rocks that have been previously cleaned by the couple to ensure the eggs are fixed in rows. Once deposited, the male fertilises them. Hatching occurs after 3 days and, during this time, both parents will take care of the eggs to prevent them from being eaten by other fish.

Conservation Status

Extinct

Extinct in the wild

Critically endangered

Endangered

Vulnerable

Near threatened

Least concern

Insufficient data

Not evaluated