Black Angelfish

The Black Angelfish is a striking freshwater color morph of Pterophyllum scalare, native to the Amazon basin. It features deep black coloration, graceful fins, and a calm temperament, but requires a spacious, well-maintained tank with stable water parameters and a balanced diet of protein-rich foods and plant matter

🐟 Appearance

• Coloration: Predominantly black, ranging from solid velvet-black to black patches or stripes on a silver background.

• Body Shape: Diamond-shaped body with long, flowing dorsal and anal fins.

• Size: Typically grows up to 6 inches in length.

• Visual Impact: Their elegant swimming style and dark coloration make them a dramatic centerpiece in aquariums

🌍 Origin

• Species: A morph of Pterophyllum scalare, one of the most popular freshwater angelfish species.

• Native Habitat: Found in the Amazon River basin and surrounding regions in South America (Brazil, Peru, Colombia, etc.).

• Environment: Warm, slow-moving waters with dense vegetation and hiding spots

🧬 Genetics

• Morph Type: The black coloration is a selective color morph of the common angelfish, developed through breeding.

• Variation: Intensity of black pigmentation varies, with some individuals nearly jet-black and others showing mixed silver-black patterns

🧠 Temperament

• Generally peaceful, though they can become territorial during breeding.
• Suitable for community tanks with other non-aggressive fish.

🏡 Tank Requirements

• Minimum tank size: 30 gallons for one; 55+ gallons for a pair or group.
• Water temperature: 76–82°F (24–28°C)
• pH: 6.5–7.5
• Water hardness: 3–8 dGH (soft to moderately hard)

🍽️ Diet

• Omnivorous: Enjoys a mix of high-quality flakes or pellets, live/frozen foods (like brine shrimp and bloodworms), and plant matter (like spirulina or blanched spinach).

🌿 Tank Setup

• Prefers well-planted tanks with floating plants, driftwood, and hiding spots.
• Requires moderate to strong filtration but avoid strong currents.