Orinoco Altum Angelfish

Origin

Upper Rio Negro and upper Rio Orinoco in Colombia, Venezuela and Brazil.

Habitat

Slow moving rivers, root tangles.

Description

P. altum is distinguished from the other angelfish species by having a "notch" on the upper part of its snout rather than a more flat or slightly rounded forehead as on the other two species. In color and pattern it is very similar with a silver colored body and dark bars that are brownish/red. The fins can show red striations and adults may have some red spots and a blue-green cast to the dorsal fin. When aroused they will exhibit a black spot on the gill cover. Overall color differences can often be subtle, but all true P. altum will have the notch above the nares.