Black Angelfish 3-4cm

Description

Black Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare)

Elegant, mysterious and timeless, the Black Angelfish is one of the most iconic freshwater cichlids in the aquarium hobby. With its deep velvety black colouration, graceful flowing fins and calm, intelligent nature, this stunning variety creates an unforgettable centrepiece in planted aquariums and peaceful community displays.

Quick Facts

  • Scientific name: Pterophyllum scalare
  • Common name: Black Angelfish
  • Current size: Approximately 4–6 cm (body size)
  • Adult size: Up to 15 cm body height and 20–25 cm overall height including fins
  • Tank size: 180L+ recommended
  • Difficulty: 🟑 Moderate
  • Temperament: Peaceful but territorial during breeding
  • Best kept: As a pair or in a group of 5–6 juveniles to allow natural pairing

Is this for you?

βœ”οΈ Perfect if:

  • You want a bold, elegant centrepiece fish.
  • You keep a tall planted aquarium.
  • You enjoy intelligent fish with graceful swimming behaviour.
  • You're looking for a classic Angelfish variety with timeless appeal.

❌ Avoid if:

  • You keep fin-nipping species such as Tiger Barbs.
  • Your aquarium is too small or lacks sufficient height.
  • You keep tiny fish that may become food as the Angelfish mature.
  • Your aquarium has unstable or poor water quality.

Why choose the Black Angelfish?

The Black Angelfish is admired for its rich charcoal to jet-black colouration, creating a dramatic contrast against lush green aquatic plants and natural driftwood. Their solid colour allows their elegant body shape and long flowing fins to become the centre of attention in any aquarium.

As they mature, Black Angelfish develop impressive height and graceful finnage, gliding effortlessly through the water with a calm confidence. Their inquisitive nature means they often recognise their keeper and quickly associate people with feeding time.

Whether kept as a single showcase fish, a compatible breeding pair or as part of a peaceful community aquarium, Black Angelfish bring sophistication and elegance that few freshwater fish can match.

Benefits

  • Deep velvety black colouration
  • Elegant long fins and graceful swimming
  • Outstanding centrepiece fish
  • Intelligent and interactive personality
  • Suitable for peaceful planted community aquariums
  • Can be successfully bred in captivity

Care made simple

  • Temperature: 24–30Β°C
  • pH: 6.5–7.5
  • Diet: Premium cichlid pellets, quality flakes, frozen bloodworms, blackworms, brine shrimp and other protein-rich foods
  • Water: Clean, stable and well-filtered with gentle water movement
  • Substrate: Sand or fine gravel
  • Setup: Tall planted aquarium with driftwood, broad-leaved plants and open swimming space
  • Maintain excellent water quality with regular water changes to preserve healthy finnage and rich colour.
  • Provide plenty of vertical swimming space and avoid aggressive tank mates.

Pairs perfectly with

  • Corydoras
  • Rummy Nose Tetras
  • Congo Tetras
  • Bristlenose Catfish
  • Bolivian Rams
NTA Insight:
Black Angelfish are particularly striking in aquariums with dark backgrounds, natural timber and vibrant green plants, where their solid black colour creates a dramatic silhouette. High-quality nutrition and pristine water conditions help maintain their rich, velvety appearance. Like all Angelfish, they thrive in tall aquariums where they have plenty of room to display their elegant finnage.

FAQ

Do Black Angelfish stay completely black?

Most develop a rich charcoal to deep black colouration as they mature. The exact intensity can vary depending on genetics, age, diet, lighting and overall health.

How large do Black Angelfish grow?

Adults typically reach around 15 cm in body height, with an overall height of up to 25 cm including their dorsal and anal fins.

Are Black Angelfish aggressive?

They are generally peaceful community fish but may become territorial while breeding or protecting eggs.

Can they live with tetras?

Yes. Medium-sized tetras such as Rummy Nose Tetras and Congo Tetras make excellent companions. Very small fish may eventually be viewed as food by adult Angelfish.

Do they require a tall aquarium?

Yes. Angelfish naturally have tall bodies and long fins, making aquarium height essential for their long-term health and development.

Can Black Angelfish breed in captivity?

Absolutely. Healthy pairs readily spawn on broad leaves, slate or other flat surfaces, with both parents guarding and caring for their eggs and fry.

How long do Black Angelfish live?

With excellent care, stable water quality and a varied diet, Black Angelfish commonly live between 8 and 12 years.

Black Angelfish 3-4cm

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$10.00


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    Description

    Black Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare)

    Elegant, mysterious and timeless, the Black Angelfish is one of the most iconic freshwater cichlids in the aquarium hobby. With its deep velvety black colouration, graceful flowing fins and calm, intelligent nature, this stunning variety creates an unforgettable centrepiece in planted aquariums and peaceful community displays.

    Quick Facts

    • Scientific name: Pterophyllum scalare
    • Common name: Black Angelfish
    • Current size: Approximately 4–6 cm (body size)
    • Adult size: Up to 15 cm body height and 20–25 cm overall height including fins
    • Tank size: 180L+ recommended
    • Difficulty: 🟑 Moderate
    • Temperament: Peaceful but territorial during breeding
    • Best kept: As a pair or in a group of 5–6 juveniles to allow natural pairing

    Is this for you?

    βœ”οΈ Perfect if:

    • You want a bold, elegant centrepiece fish.
    • You keep a tall planted aquarium.
    • You enjoy intelligent fish with graceful swimming behaviour.
    • You're looking for a classic Angelfish variety with timeless appeal.

    ❌ Avoid if:

    • You keep fin-nipping species such as Tiger Barbs.
    • Your aquarium is too small or lacks sufficient height.
    • You keep tiny fish that may become food as the Angelfish mature.
    • Your aquarium has unstable or poor water quality.

    Why choose the Black Angelfish?

    The Black Angelfish is admired for its rich charcoal to jet-black colouration, creating a dramatic contrast against lush green aquatic plants and natural driftwood. Their solid colour allows their elegant body shape and long flowing fins to become the centre of attention in any aquarium.

    As they mature, Black Angelfish develop impressive height and graceful finnage, gliding effortlessly through the water with a calm confidence. Their inquisitive nature means they often recognise their keeper and quickly associate people with feeding time.

    Whether kept as a single showcase fish, a compatible breeding pair or as part of a peaceful community aquarium, Black Angelfish bring sophistication and elegance that few freshwater fish can match.

    Benefits

    • Deep velvety black colouration
    • Elegant long fins and graceful swimming
    • Outstanding centrepiece fish
    • Intelligent and interactive personality
    • Suitable for peaceful planted community aquariums
    • Can be successfully bred in captivity

    Care made simple

    • Temperature: 24–30Β°C
    • pH: 6.5–7.5
    • Diet: Premium cichlid pellets, quality flakes, frozen bloodworms, blackworms, brine shrimp and other protein-rich foods
    • Water: Clean, stable and well-filtered with gentle water movement
    • Substrate: Sand or fine gravel
    • Setup: Tall planted aquarium with driftwood, broad-leaved plants and open swimming space
    • Maintain excellent water quality with regular water changes to preserve healthy finnage and rich colour.
    • Provide plenty of vertical swimming space and avoid aggressive tank mates.

    Pairs perfectly with

    • Corydoras
    • Rummy Nose Tetras
    • Congo Tetras
    • Bristlenose Catfish
    • Bolivian Rams
    NTA Insight:
    Black Angelfish are particularly striking in aquariums with dark backgrounds, natural timber and vibrant green plants, where their solid black colour creates a dramatic silhouette. High-quality nutrition and pristine water conditions help maintain their rich, velvety appearance. Like all Angelfish, they thrive in tall aquariums where they have plenty of room to display their elegant finnage.

    FAQ

    Do Black Angelfish stay completely black?

    Most develop a rich charcoal to deep black colouration as they mature. The exact intensity can vary depending on genetics, age, diet, lighting and overall health.

    How large do Black Angelfish grow?

    Adults typically reach around 15 cm in body height, with an overall height of up to 25 cm including their dorsal and anal fins.

    Are Black Angelfish aggressive?

    They are generally peaceful community fish but may become territorial while breeding or protecting eggs.

    Can they live with tetras?

    Yes. Medium-sized tetras such as Rummy Nose Tetras and Congo Tetras make excellent companions. Very small fish may eventually be viewed as food by adult Angelfish.

    Do they require a tall aquarium?

    Yes. Angelfish naturally have tall bodies and long fins, making aquarium height essential for their long-term health and development.

    Can Black Angelfish breed in captivity?

    Absolutely. Healthy pairs readily spawn on broad leaves, slate or other flat surfaces, with both parents guarding and caring for their eggs and fry.

    How long do Black Angelfish live?

    With excellent care, stable water quality and a varied diet, Black Angelfish commonly live between 8 and 12 years.

    Live Arrival & Ordering FAQ

    Why do livestock prices sometimes change?

    Unlike manufactured products, fish and shrimp continue to grow and develop over time. Their value changes as they increase in size, develop colour, or become breeding pairs.

    Our prices are based on the current size, quality and availability of each specimen. While pricing often remains stable for around 3–4 months, it may be updated at any time to reflect these changes.

    We always aim to offer healthy, high-quality livestock at fair and competitive prices.

    Do you offer a live arrival guarantee?

    Yes. All livestock is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee.

    In the rare event of DOA, please contact us promptly with clear photos of the livestock in the original unopened bag.

    Please review our full DOA and store policies before purchase.

    Can you ship to all states in Australia?

    No. Due to state restrictions, we cannot ship livestock or live plants to WA and TAS.

    What should I check before ordering?

    Before placing an order, make sure:

    • Your tank is fully cycled and stable
    • Your aquarium has enough space for the species
    • Your current livestock are compatible in temperament, size, and requirements
    • Your water parameters, habitat, and temperature suit the species
    • You are not adding too many fish at once
    What should I expect when my fish arrives?

    It is normal for fish, shrimp, or snails to look pale, stressed, or less active after shipping.

    This is temporary. Most livestock will settle and regain colour within a few days.

    How long does it take for fish to settle in?

    Most livestock will take 3–7 days to fully adjust to their new environment.

    Should I feed my fish immediately after arrival?

    No. We recommend waiting 24 hours before feeding to allow them to settle.

    If you already have fish in your tank, feeding them before introducing new arrivals can help reduce stress.

    Why do fish sometimes struggle after being added to a tank?

    In most cases, issues are caused by tank conditions, not shipping.

    • Uncycled or unstable tanks
    • Poor water parameters
    • Overstocking
    • Unsuitable tank mates
    What is Nano Tanks Australia’s main tip for new livestock?

    Most livestock losses happen in immature or unstable tanks, not during shipping.

    If your setup is not fully established, the risk to new arrivals is significantly higher.

    Not sure if this fish is right for your setup?

    If you are unsure whether this species suits your setup, contact us before ordering and we’ll help point you in the right direction.

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