Angel Indentification

Hi,
Please identify the species of fish below. Is it just a normal angel ??

Thanks MZ89

 

I would say it depends on the context I don't know enough to say for sure. That looks like a superb angelfish to me, but if you have to ask, it is probably a scalare angel and not an Altum - Anybody that has an Altum in a tank would know it

 

@KillerBunny. Thanks for the input .

 

That is an Altum Angel. Pterophyllum Altum. Yours is still small though. HTH

 

@slomo.00 Thanks for the input.

 

@SloMo.00., sorry to say but Altum Angels are very scarce in SA. This is a stunning specimen but it is called a Peruvian Angel and not the Altum. The body for the Altum is VERY deep and the fins start pretty close to the head and rise almost straight up with very little curve away from the head.

@MZ89, this is a lovely specimen.

 

Hehe sorry its a normal scalare angel. An altum angel is ##### expensive and get like 50cm big. They say its harder to keep than discus

 

@MZ89 Is this a photo of your fish? I have Angels that look very similar and they aren't Altums. They are Peruvian Angels - still Pterophyllum scalare.

@Slomo - What makes you say it's an Altum?

 

Very beautiful P. scalare. Possibly very close to wild genes.

 

I have learnt that Altums have: 3 vertical bars: check. Altums have a silver base: check. Scalares have red in the eyes. This one doesn't. One of the caracteristics of Altums is: There will form a Notch above ths snout. This will almost look asif the Angel is pulling up it's nose. The pic looks like it's starting to form.

As for Altum's being scarse and expensive. I have bought R500 fish For R80 in the past. And this is not a factor to use when identifying fish.

So this is why I say Altum. If not, then I would like to know the difference between Altum's and Scalare's. Not considering price ofcourse.

 

Not all scalares have red. My Peruvian Angels only developed the red after they grew a bit.

Here's some more info:
http://www.tropicalaquarium.co.za/showthread.php?12136-Advertised-as-Altums&p=161611#post161611

The Peruvian Angels are beautiful fish. Mine are growing really fast and are nearly the same size as my other P. scalares that are a year older.

 

You will know it's an Altum when you see one. That is definitely a Scalare. I have a pure Scalare angel which has the notch in the head as well as the red eye. The lines on Altum also look a bit different.

Read here: http://finarama.com/tba/chronicles/peruvianscalare.htm

 

Thanks @Skye01 @Ryno and @Razer2007 for the input. @Jenn, yes this is my fish

 

Ok I have had a look at Prof Dirk's Altums. And I must say there is a difference when small. Still dificult to see.
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/853/dscn5339small.jpg/

Sorry if I am infringing on prof's privacy. Altho I think he can be proud of owning these.

 

Thanks for the link @Razer2007.

 

@SloMo.00. I think like most things in life, when they are young they look different. This angels is approx. 7cm from top fin to bottom fin and its only a few months old. Time will tell

 

I know - I fantasize while I'm watching my Angels that they will grow & grow and we will discover that they actually ARE Altums, thriving in my tank and breeding. I would be so proud (and famous). LOL

 

He he. It's a disease this fishkeeping thing. Yeah I must say any Angel is stunning in my eyes. Love them all. Have a special soft spot for the Black Angels.

 

@Jenn Post some pics of your angel fishes.

 

Definitly Scalare.

Im not an Angel expert, but you can always tell from the tail whither its Altum or Scalare. Thats apart from the "snobbish" nose in the air the Altum has. Scalares tail is concave, and Altums tail is convex.