Full Black Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare)

The Full Black Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare) is the classic freshwater angel in its darkest form, a tall, disc-shaped cichlid in deep velvet black with long trailing fins and a bright red eye. Full blacks carry two copies of the black gene, so the color is solid rather than the lacy pattern of a Black Lace angel. Young fish can still show faint bars and a smoky brown sheen, and the black deepens as they mature. Care level is intermediate and temperament is semi-aggressive. Browse more live aquarium fish at Squeaky's.

Care Guide

• Tank size: 30 gallons minimum for one, and taller is better since an adult stands about 8 inches from fin tip to fin tip. Plan on 55 gallons or more for a group or a pair.
• Water: 76 to 84°F, pH 6.0 to 7.5, soft to moderately hard water. Steady conditions matter more than chasing exact numbers, so change water on a schedule.
• Aquascape: tall plants, driftwood and open swimming space in the middle of the tank. Gentle flow suits them better than a strong current.
• Diet: Omnivore with a big appetite. A quality pellet or flake as the staple, plus frozen or live brine shrimp, bloodworms and mysis a few times a week. Rich food helps hold that deep black color.
• Behavior: Peaceful as juveniles, more territorial as adults, especially when a pair forms and starts guarding eggs on a leaf or flat stone.
• Color note: Black angels can pale or show bars when stressed, after a move, or under bright light. A settled fish in a planted tank shows the best color.

Specifications

Compatibility & Tank Mates

Good tank mates: peaceful fish too big to fit in an adult angel's mouth, such as Bleeding Heart Tetras, Brilliant Rummy Nose Tetras, bottom dwellers like the Panda Cory, plus plecos, gouramis and other angels. It also mixes well with other angel varieties like the Assorted Angelfish.

Avoid: fin nippers such as tiger barbs and serpae tetras, which shred those long fins, and very small fish like neon tetras or tiny shrimp, which an adult angel will eventually eat. Fast, aggressive cichlids will outcompete it at feeding time.

Groups: keep one, a mated pair, or a group of five or more in a large tank. Two or three unpaired adults often end up with one fish bullying the rest.

Recommended Foods & Supplies

• Hikari Cichlid Gold Pellet, a color-boosting daily staple
• Ocean Nutrition Brine Shrimp Plus Flake, for variety
• More fish food and water care
• Tall stems and swords from our freshwater plants

FAQ

Why does my black angel look brown or barred?
Young full blacks often show faint bars or a smoky sheen, and any angel pales when stressed or freshly moved. Once settled in a planted tank on good food, the color deepens to a solid velvet black.

What is the difference between Full Black and Black Lace?
Both carry the black gene. A Black Lace has one copy and shows a lacy, darker silver look, while a Full Black has two copies and is solid black.

Will it eat my neon tetras?
Probably, once it grows. Angelfish are cichlids and will eat anything that fits in their mouth, so pick tank mates that stay bigger than a neon.

How big does it get?
About 6 inches long and 8 inches tall including fins, which is why a tall tank matters more than a long one.