Koi Angelfish
Pterophyllum scalare
About this strain
Koi angels combine the orange-red blush of the blushing gene with a marbled black-and-white body pattern, evoking the look of a koi pond fish — hence the name. The orange is most vivid around the face and shoulders, and the best specimens have that splash of warm color against a cleanly marbled body. Color intensity varies considerably between breeders; fish from quality lines hold their orange into adulthood, while cheaper stock often fades. Diet high in carotenoids (quality color-enhancing foods, live/frozen) helps maintain the warm hues. A perennial bestseller at fish stores.
Origin
Developed by crossing blushing and marble strains in U.S. and Asian breeding programs during the late 1970s to 1980s. Widely produced in Southeast Asian fish farms by the 1990s.