A 10-year-old Moonfish, dried.
The name Pterophyllum comes from Greek and means "Fins like a leaf." Scalare is from Latin and means "ladder." This is a reference to the stripes on their flank that look like the steps of a ladder. In the Netherlands this species is best known to the general public under the name Moonfish.
The genus Pterophyllum is part of the family of Cichlids (Cichlidae). A very extensive family that includes some 221 genera and more than 1,670 species. The genus Pterophyllum itself has only 3 species. The Pterophyllum scalare, the Pterophyllum altum and the Pterophyllum leopoldi. Most aquarium enthusiasts call all 3 species moonfish.
As early as 1907, the first Moonfish were exported to Europe. Their shape and stripes made them coveted aquarium fish.
The Pterophyllum is clearly distinguishable from other cichlids. As the scientific name suggests, they are roughly shaped like a leaf. The wild type.
The body can reach a length of about 15 centimeters, add to that the fins and they become up to about 20 centimeters long. The height of the Pterophyllum scalare can reach about 25 centimeters.
With a sufficiently large aquarium, the right water conditions and in a school of sufficient size, angelfish can reach an age of at least 10 years.
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
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