Angelfish is a term used to describe various fish species. These are commonly held in tanks and aquariums. The freshwater species of Angelfish are the most common when it comes to keeping a fish as a pet at home. When you have an Angelfish at home, it is important that you understand what the ideal Angelfish pH level is and how a change in pH can affect your fish.   

What Is The Ideal pH Level For Angelfish? 

The ideal Angelfish pH level depends on whether or not you are planning to breed the fish. Angelfish are known to be able to survive at various pH levels. They do seem to have a preference for soft water that is a little acidic. The preferred pH range for Angelfish is 6.5 to 7.1. When breeding Angelfish, you should aim to reach a pH level of 6.8.  

What Happens If the pH Level Is Too High? 

A high pH level can be damaging to an Angelfish. The major concern here is a chemical burn. There is a high concentration of minerals and chemicals in water with an elevated pH level. When this is the case, the fish may experience burning on their skin.  

The burn on their skin can cause many problems with the Angelfish’s health. Chapping of the skin is also relatively common when placing Angelfish in water that has a high pH level. The alkaline water can also cause stress in the Angelfish. This is also bad, as it can adversely affect the fish’s health.  

When the pH level is too high, it may not cause the Angelfish to die directly. Instead, the complications that the high pH level causes can lead to death. This includes stress, chapping of the fish’s skin, and the chemical burn.  

What Happens If The pH Level Is Too Low? 

There are issues that can develop when the pH level in the tank is too low as well. First of all, an ideal Angelfish pH level ensures the fish is able to breed without complications. When the pH level of the water is lower than five, it means you will find that breeding is not possible.  

The pH level should never be lower than five if you are trying to breed Angelfish. Also, make sure the pH never goes below four when you have Angelfish in a tank. This pH level will cause problems with the fish.  

The fish will likely experience skin burn due to the acidity of the water in such a case. The low acidity will also make the fish more likely to die. Because when the fish experiences a burn due to the acidity of the water, they can die.  

Note that Angelfish do prefer water that is slightly acidic. At the same time, there should not be too many acids in the water. The fish cannot survive in water that is too acidic.  

How To Lower The pH Level In The Tank? 

When it comes to changing the pH level of your tank, you need to first determine the current rating. The ideal Angelfish pH level should be compared to the current pH of the water. If it is too high, then you need to take adequate steps to help reduce the pH level. The Angelfish prefer water that is slightly acidic, which means placing the fish in basic or alkaline water may be bad for their health. The water also needs to be soft.  

There are both short-term and long-term options to consider when it comes to lowering the pH level of your fish tank. Some options are also more effective than others – but, at the same time, you do not want to cause a sudden drop in the pH levels. Instead, you want a solution that will cause the pH to decline over a period of time.  

A sudden decline in a tank’s pH makes the Angelfish stress. This stress is bad for their health. It can cause all sorts of problems.  

Add Indian Almond Leaves To The Tank 

This one may be a little strange, but adding a few Indian Almond Leaves to your tank might be just what is needed to reduce the pH level. You do need to be careful, however. Adding too many Indian Almond leaves can cause a significant drop in the water’s pH level.  

If the pH level is high, add just a couple of these leaves. Wait a few days and test the pH of the water. If the water has still not reached the appropriate pH level, then you can consider adding more of the leaves.  

When you add too many Indian Almond Leaves, the pH level of the water may drop to under six. In some cases, especially if the water is already soft, the leaves may cause the pH to drop to five or lower. In such a case, it can cause damage to your Angelfish.  

Indian Almond leaves are also known to be antimicrobial in nature. The leaves contain chemicals that can fight against bacteria, as well as fungi. This means the use of these leaves in your tank can help to reduce the risk of low-grade infections, such as fin rot.  

Don’t Add Tap Water Immediately 

If you use tap water in your tank, then make sure you do not add it immediately. In most cases, the pH level of tap water is rather high. This means the water may be unpleasant for your Angelfish. When you add too much tap water quickly, it causes a sudden fluctuation in the water’s pH levels too. This leads to shock and stress in the Angelfish.  

Rather leave the water outside for a while. A few days would be perfect. Make sure the container with the water is open. This allows the water to become aerated. The pH level in the tap water drop in the process, providing an ideal environment for an Angelfish.  

(Also, make sure you’re using a water conditioner before adding it to the tank.)

How To Raise The pH Level In The Tank? 

A high pH level is not always the issue. Sometimes, you may test the pH and find that it is too low. When the pH goes below five, you have a problem on your hands. Raising the pH level to an ideal one is crucial when you keep Angelfish in the tank.  

There are a few strategies that you can rely on to help keep your pH levels up – and to increase pH levels if it is too low.  

The Banking Soda Method 

Most fish keepers know about the baking soda method. This is actually one of the most popular ways of increasing the pH in a tank. You simply need about a teaspoon or two of baking soda, depending on how much water is inside the tank.  

For every five gallons of water, you will dissolve one teaspoon of baking soda into the water.  

Never dissolve the baking soda into the water while the Angelfish is still in the tank. Pour some water from the tank into a container – then add the Angelfish to the container. Once the fish are out of the tank, add the baking soda. Wait for an hour to ensure the baking soda has dissolved into the water properly – then use a pH test stick to see if the pH level has risen.  

Only add the Angelfish back to the tank once it is safe. This is about 30 minutes to 60 minutes after you added the baking soda.  

Add Chemical Solutions 

There are a few chemical solutions that may also help to raise the pH level of your fish tank. These products are generally available from pet shops.  

When you shop for these products, be sure to do some research. Also, speak to an expert at the pet shop or consult a vet. This will help you realize what chemical solutions are the best options when it comes to increasing the Angelfish pH level.

These products are generally offered in the form of a liquid. You will be required to add a few drops of the liquid into the tank. Make sure you read the instructions – as you do not want to add too many drops.  

Rather start with a minimal number of drops into the tank. Wait a while, and use a pH test strip. Then add one or two more drops if the water’s pH is not high enough yet. This also ensures the pH level increases slowly instead of too rapidly.  

Recap 

Angelfish are commonly held as pets in water tanks at home. This fish prefers slightly acidic water. Angelfish also generally prefer softer water. It is sometimes hard to maintain the right pH level for this fish species. Maintaining a neutral pH is especially important if you plan to breed with Angelfish.

If you’re keeping more than one fish then you may be interested in their pH needs. If you are, here’s everything you need to know about the pH for cardinal tetras, gouramis, cory catfish, guppies, mollies, and plecos!