Pterophyllum altum

**benny** · 30th Dec 2005, 20:48

Hi guys,

Here's one of the altum angel fish in Teo's big tank.

Unlike the others that I see elsewhere (like Gan's fish farm), these seems extremely shy. What a shame...

Nevertheless, I still think they look nice. Too bad I can't get a group shot.

Cheers,

**mickthefish** · 30th Dec 2005, 21:27

Benny,

I've always wanted to have the altum, but there are two things that stop me getting them, the first is when they first come in the shops they are very delicate, and most of the time they die in the shop tanks.

And secondly I've known a few people who have kept them and at first they shoal, but soon after when they've grown alot bigger, they start attacking each other be it male or female, and eventually they are left with one very large and gorgeous fish, and as i'd like to breed them that seems impossible.

regards,
mick

**|squee|** · 30th Dec 2005, 21:38

I thought they're colouration is just black and white?

**Simon** · 30th Dec 2005, 21:42

nope terrence, thats when you look at a black and white pix of them :P... but seriously, thats the coloration

**Justikanz** · 31st Dec 2005, 01:31

From this batch?:

Too bad I had not had the Sigma macro lens then...

**benny** · 31st Dec 2005, 10:38

Originally Posted by Justikanz

Too bad I had not had the Sigma macro lens then...

Same batch. No worries. This probably won't be the last you see of them. Join us next time for another trip to Lim Chu Kang.

Cheers,

**benny** · 31st Dec 2005, 10:40

Originally Posted by mickthefish

I've always wanted to have the altum, but there are two things that stop me getting them, the first is when they first come in the shops they are very delicate, and most of the time they die in the shop tanks.

And secondly I've known a few people who have kept them and at first they shoal, but soon after when they've grown alot bigger, they start attacking each other be it male or female, and eventually they are left with one very large and gorgeous fish, and as i'd like to breed them that seems impossible.

Mick,

I've heard of their fragility and their legendary aggression too. Definitely not my cup of tea. I think I'll stick to appreciating them in other's tank!

However, I do hear of successful spawns of this species even though it's said to be near impossible. A challenge for you?

Cheers,

**|squee|** · 31st Dec 2005, 12:55

Originally Posted by Simon

nope terrence, thats when you look at a black and white pix of them :P... but seriously, thats the coloration

Ok now I know. Because the only picture of them I saw was in one of the Aquajournals... and they really looked like the colouration of black widow tetras.

**MrTree** · 1st Jan 2006, 23:16

I nearly bought some Pterophyllum dumerii the other day...that was my second time seeing them in last 3 years...

**barmby** · 2nd Jan 2006, 14:56

The trick is to upgrade them to bigger tank as they grow. I have 7 altums, which I have kept for 2 years already. They are now in a 4x2.5x2.5 tank by themselves.

**Justikanz** · 9th Feb 2006, 17:20

More pics on the altums...

**mervin** · 10th Feb 2006, 10:22

Here are mine 2 yrs back.
now left with 4 pcs cos 2 of them tried swallowing otos and choked !

**joe** · 10th Feb 2006, 10:28

erm they attacked the otos and choked to death???

**mervin** · 10th Feb 2006, 10:31

yup saw their dead bodies with otos sticking out of their mouth .....

**ccs** · 10th Feb 2006, 16:51

Originally Posted by mervin

Here are mine 2 yrs back.

now left with 4 pcs cos 2 of them tried swallowing otos and choked !

I had the same experience but one survived swallowing oto

**mervin** · 10th Feb 2006, 16:54

hahahaha !
very good example of " biting off more then one can chew" !

**ccs** · 10th Feb 2006, 20:42

Otos has been banned in my Altum tank

**Ibn** · 11th Feb 2006, 07:43

Have been watching my altums, especially after adding some very small otos to the tank (~1"). Every time that one of these little guys swim in front of them, they're considering lunging at them.

A few of mine (8 total in the tank).