Black Angelfish

The black angelfish is a colour form of Pterophyllum scalare, the tall, disc-bodied cichlid of the Amazon basin. Where the wild fish is silver with dark vertical bars, this line has been bred to a uniform smoky black that catches the light along the flanks. The long trailing dorsal, anal and ventral fins give it the slow, deliberate movement angelfish are known for, and a group of them in a tall, well-planted tank is one of the classic freshwater displays.

Aquarium care

• Grows large: adults commonly reach around 15 cm in body length and considerably more from fin tip to fin tip.
• Needs height. A tall tank matters more here than a long one.
• A cichlid, not a peaceful community fish. Young ones shoal, adults pair off and defend territory.
• Omnivorous: quality flake or pellet, plus frozen bloodworm and brine shrimp.
• Occupies the middle of the water column.
• Prefers warm, soft water and quiet flow.

Angelfish do well with medium-sized, calm tankmates such as larger tetras, corydoras and rasboras. They will eat neon tetras, dwarf shrimp and anything else small enough to swallow once grown, so plan the stocking list around the adult fish rather than the one in the bag.

Stock rotates with each shipment, and livestock is sold for local pickup at our Lethbridge store. See what else is in on our angelfish page.