Black Pinoy Piraiba Angelfish Care Guide – Striking Elegance for Freshwater Aquariums

 

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
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

  • Minimum: 30 gallons for a pair

  • 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

  • Fine gravel or sand substrate

  • Driftwood and tall plants like Amazon swords or Vallisneria

  • Open swimming zones in the middle and upper levels

  • 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
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:

  • High-quality cichlid flakes or slow-sinking pellets

  • Freeze-dried blackworms, bloodworms

  • Live/frozen brine shrimp or daphnia

  • Occasional blanched vegetables (zucchini, spinach)

  • 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

  • Peaceful with most community fish

  • May show light territoriality when spawning

  • Intelligent and responsive to owners

  • 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:

  • Cardinal Tetras

  • Rummynose Tetras

  • Corydoras Catfish

  • Ram Cichlids

  • Hatchetfish

  • Small Plecos (Bristlenose, Clown)

❌ Avoid:

  • Fin-nipping barbs (Tiger Barbs)

  • Aggressive or large cichlids

  • Fast, boisterous swimmers

  • 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:

  • Slightly lower pH (~6.8), soft water

  • Vertical spawning surface

  • Clean, stable tank

  • 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

  • Deep black body with faint iridescence in bright light

  • Long, elegant dorsal and anal fins

  • Excellent centerpiece for planted aquariums

  • Dramatic contrast in scaped or blackwater-style tanks

  • 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?

  • Hand-selected for perfect fin formation and color depth

  • Professionally quarantined and eating well

  • Ethically sourced from premier breeders

  • Shipped overnight with heat packs and oxygen

  • 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:

  • Aquascaped tanks with vertical space

  • Hobbyists seeking dramatic centerpiece fish

  • 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.

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