Angelfish vs Red Lionfish
Pterophyllum scalare compared with Pterois volitans
Taxonomy & Classification
| Attribute | Angelfish | Red Lionfish |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pterophyllum scalare | Pterois volitans |
| Order | Cichliformes | Scorpaeniformes |
| Family | Cichlidae | Scorpaenidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Physical Traits
| Attribute | Angelfish | Red Lionfish |
|---|---|---|
| Max Length | 15.0 cm | 38.0 cm |
| Max Weight | 0.03 kg | 1.1 kg |
| Color | Silver to pale gold body with four bold black vertical bars including one through the eye; tall triangular dorsal and ventral fins are translucent silver; domesticated forms include gold, black, and marbled variants. | White to cream body with alternating bold reddish-brown and white vertical bands; fan-like pectoral fins are banded with red-brown and white spots; long dorsal spines are striped and venomous. |
Habitat & Environment
| Attribute | Angelfish | Red Lionfish |
|---|---|---|
| Water Type | Freshwater | Saltwater |
| Depth Range | — | 2-55m |
| Geographic Range | Native to the Amazon River basin and associated river systems in Peru, Colombia, and Brazil. Inhabits densely vegetated floodplain swamps, flooded igapó forests, and slow … | Native to the Indo-Pacific from East Africa and the Red Sea to southern Japan, Australia, and the Marquesas. Invasive in the western Atlantic and Caribbean … |
| Habitat | Slow-moving rivers and flooded forests of the Amazon basin, particularly white-water and clear-water rivers. Warm water (24-30°C); inhabits areas with submerged vegetation and driftwood. | Neritic, coral reefs |
Aquarium Suitability
| Attribute | Angelfish | Red Lionfish |
|---|---|---|
| Min Tank Size | 190 L | — |
| Temperature | 24-28 | — |
| pH Range | 6.0-7.5 | — |
| Care Level | Moderate | — |
| Temperament | Semi-Aggressive | — |
Cuisine & Edibility
Angelfish
Not consumed — a graceful ornamental cichlid valued for its triangular body shape and striking vertical banding; widely kept in freshwater community tanks.
Red Lionfish
Sweet, buttery white flesh once spines are safely removed; increasingly promoted as a sustainable food source in Atlantic waters where it is an invasive species.
Species Overview
Angelfish
The freshwater angelfish is a majestic cichlid with a laterally compressed body and long, flowing dorsal and anal fins. Native to the Amazon basin, it has been selectively bred into numerous color varieties including marble, koi, and platinum.
Red Lionfish
The red lionfish is a venomous coral reef fish native to the Indo-Pacific. Its ornate, striped body and fan-like pectoral fins make it popular in aquariums, but it has become a destructive invasive species in the western Atlantic and Caribbean.