Silver angelfish - hardy and easy to care for, resemble wild type, vertical black bands change with mood. Popular in freshwater angelfish trade.
Zebra angelfish - unique variation with 4-6 bands, distinguishable from silver angelfish. Red eye indicates maturity and good health.
Koi angelfish - resembles Japanese koi with white body, black and orange patches. Red hue fades with age. Stress affects orange color intensity.
Black lace angelfish - black with lacy fins, attractive variation of silver or zebra angelfish. Bred in the 1950s.
Naja gold angelfish - first gold angelfish breed from black lace variation. Common and cross-bred for unique colors.
Blushing angelfish - display blushing gene, lack pigmentation on gill cover, transparent cheeks reveal red gills. No markings or bands.
Marble angelfish - unique marbling pattern, banding on fins, dash of gold, attractive color variation.
Marbled angels show a wide range of marbling in the color markings—no two fish will be exactly alike. Gold marbles are often considered a subtype of koi angelfish.
Known as a half-black angelfish, this type has been around for well over a half-century. The caudal part of the body is black, rather than just having a black band. Additional color traits, such as marbling or blushing, are sometimes also seen. Half-black angelfish can be challenging to breed.
Pterophyllum altum, more simply known as the altum angelfish, is not commonly seen in the aquarium trade. It is larger, deeper, and flatter than the common species, P. scalare, and all of the cross-bred hybrids. Altum angelfish are more sensitive to changes in water conditions, and they require larger, deeper tanks.