Breeding profile
| Scientific name | Method | Planning level |
|---|---|---|
| Pterophyllum scalare and related forms | Substrate spawner with parental care | Intermediate |
Why keepers choose this species
Courtship, site cleaning, egg laying and guarding are easy to observe. Adults and growing juveniles require substantial vertical space.
Set up around the fish
Use a tall, mature aquarium with a broad leaf, slate or other cleanable vertical surface. Provide visual barriers and an exit plan if pair aggression escalates.
Spawning and parental behaviour
Pairs may clean a site repeatedly before laying. Do not assume two fish sold as a pair are compatible. Some parents eat early clutches while learning.
Fry and grow-out
Once free-swimming, fry need small foods, gentle filtration and progressively larger grow-out quarters. Large broods can overwhelm a modest aquarium quickly.
Important limit: Do not force a mismatched pair to remain together. Chronic aggression is a welfare problem, not a breeding technique.
Before you start
- Confirm the exact species or strain and its adult care requirements.
- Prepare a cycled fry-safe filter and separate grow-out capacity.
- Arrange appropriate first foods before pairing adults.
- Record parentage, dates and any uncertain hybrid ancestry.
- Identify realistic, responsible homes for juveniles.