Black Pinoy Piraiba Angelfish Care Guide – Striking Elegance for Freshwater Aquariums
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Introduction: Jet-Black Beauty With Graceful Fins
The Black Pinoy Piraiba Angelfish is a selectively bred freshwater angelfish variant known for its deep black coloration, tall flowing fins, and stately demeanor. This variety, a cross of Pinoy and dark angelfish lines, stands out in any tank with its shadow-like body and graceful swimming style.
Whether kept solo as a statement piece or as part of a larger peaceful community, this angelfish is ideal for aquarists looking to combine exotic flair with manageable care requirements.
🔍 Species Overview
Attribute | Detail |
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Scientific Name | Pterophyllum scalare |
Common Name | Black Pinoy Piraiba Angelfish |
Adult Size | 6 inches tall, 4–5 inches long |
Lifespan | 8–10 years |
Temperament | Peaceful to mildly territorial |
Origin | Captive-bred hybrid |
Skill Level | Beginner to Intermediate |
🏠 Ideal Tank Setup
📏 Tank Size
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Minimum: 30 gallons for a pair
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Ideal: 55+ gallons for a small group (4–6)
Angelfish are cichlids with social hierarchies. A small group spreads out aggression, while extra vertical space allows their tall fins to flourish.
🪴 Aquascaping Tips
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Fine gravel or sand substrate
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Driftwood and tall plants like Amazon swords or Vallisneria
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Open swimming zones in the middle and upper levels
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Dark backgrounds help accentuate the black body
These angelfish look stunning in planted tanks with warm lighting, especially under LED setups with adjustable color tones.
💧 Water Parameters
Parameter | Ideal Range |
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Temperature | 76–82°F |
pH | 6.5–7.4 |
Hardness | 3–12 dGH |
Ammonia/Nitrite | 0 ppm |
Nitrate | < 30 ppm |
Stable, clean water with regular 25–30% weekly water changes is key to long-term health and coloration.
🍽️ Diet & Feeding
The Black Pinoy Piraiba Angelfish is omnivorous and benefits from a varied, color-enhancing diet.
✅ Best Foods:
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High-quality cichlid flakes or slow-sinking pellets
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Freeze-dried blackworms, bloodworms
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Live/frozen brine shrimp or daphnia
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Occasional blanched vegetables (zucchini, spinach)
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Color-enhancing granules for dark pigment development
🕒 Feed 2 times per day and avoid overfeeding. They’ll come to the surface when conditioned to feeding routines.
🧠 Behavior & Personality
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Peaceful with most community fish
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May show light territoriality when spawning
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Intelligent and responsive to owners
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Glide gracefully and favor mid–upper tank zones
They often form strong pair bonds and exhibit social intelligence, especially when raised in groups.
👫 Compatible Tank Mates
✅ Ideal Tank Mates:
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Cardinal Tetras
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Rummynose Tetras
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Corydoras Catfish
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Ram Cichlids
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Hatchetfish
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Small Plecos (Bristlenose, Clown)
❌ Avoid:
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Fin-nipping barbs (Tiger Barbs)
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Aggressive or large cichlids
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Fast, boisterous swimmers
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Shrimp or tiny nano fish (may be mistaken for food)
Mix with peaceful South American species for best results. Avoid aggressive tank mates that might damage their long, flowing fins.
🧬 Breeding Behavior
These angelfish will often form mating pairs naturally and may spawn on vertical surfaces such as leaves, glass, or breeding cones.
Breeding Setup:
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Slightly lower pH (~6.8), soft water
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Vertical spawning surface
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Clean, stable tank
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Feed high-protein foods for conditioning
Fry can be fed infusoria or powdered fry food, followed by live baby brine shrimp as they grow.
🌟 Unique Highlights of the Black Pinoy Piraiba Angelfish
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Deep black body with faint iridescence in bright light
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Long, elegant dorsal and anal fins
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Excellent centerpiece for planted aquariums
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Dramatic contrast in scaped or blackwater-style tanks
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Bred to emphasize both form and coloration
This fish offers the beauty of a show-quality angelfish with manageable care demands — perfect for serious hobbyists and display tanks alike.
💲 Why Buy Black Pinoy Piraiba Angelfish from RobsAquatics.com?
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Hand-selected for perfect fin formation and color depth
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Professionally quarantined and eating well
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Ethically sourced from premier breeders
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Shipped overnight with heat packs and oxygen
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Backed by our Live Arrival Guarantee
Rob’s Aquatics specializes in rare and exotic cichlid strains, and this fish is no exception.
🧠 Final Thoughts
The Black Pinoy Piraiba Angelfish is a stunning and graceful addition to any freshwater setup. Its jet-black appearance, intelligent personality, and smooth swimming motion make it an unforgettable resident in planted tanks, community aquariums, or angelfish breeding setups.
Ideal for:
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Aquascaped tanks with vertical space
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Hobbyists seeking dramatic centerpiece fish
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Those ready for an elegant yet manageable cichlid
👉 Order your Black Pinoy Piraiba Angelfish now from RobsAquatics.com and elevate your tank with this rare, majestic showpiece.