{"product_id":"black-angelfish","title":"Black Angelfish","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBreeding In Progress - Coming Soon\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDescription:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003eThe Black Angelfish is a true classic in the aquarium hobby and stands as one of the most recognisable freshwater fish available. Known scientifically as Pterophyllum scalare.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e They make for outstanding centrepiece fish in community aquariums and are considered very easy to keep. After extensive captive breeding, many colour variations have been developed, and one of the boldest of these morphs is the Black Angelfish.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003eThese fish display a striking jet-black colouration, often accompanied by a subtle iridescent blue sheen. Some individuals carry a faint patterning across their fins, adding an extra layer of visual depth to an already eye-catching fish. Their laterally compressed, disc-shaped bodies are accentuated by elongated dorsal and anal fins, giving them an elegant, sail-like silhouette that commands attention in virtually any aquarium setting, whether a bright planted tank or a dimly lit biotope setup. As a scalare species, they can grow to a reasonable size while maintaining a very slim profile, almost resembling an arrowhead gliding gracefully through the water.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003eDistinguishing males from females can be challenging, particularly when the fish are young. As they mature, dominant males will develop a small but noticeable hump on their forehead or by observing their breeding tubes during mating. Certainty of sex is typically only confirmed once a breeding pair has formed. Black Angelfish are not found in the wild as they are a captive-bred colour variation, though the angelfish species as a whole originates from the rivers and floodplains of South America.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003eThe Black Angelfish is a generally peaceful species, with aggression typically only emerging in males during breeding periods. They make excellent community fish and will coexist harmoniously with a wide range of species provided adequate space is given. It is worth noting that angelfish may show aggression towards one another if kept in very small groups and with fish species that look similar to themselves, Angelfish may consume anything that fits in their mouth such as micro fish, some tetras, fry and shrimp.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAngelfish can be kept as a single centerpiece fish, but they do well in mated pairs or larger groups. Sufficient space is critical since they are territorial. Keeping them in larger groups actually helps manage and distribute aggression; housing 5 or 6 angelfish together is much better than keeping just 3.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003eA sand or gravel substrate works well, and a well-planted aquarium with branching driftwood and rock formations will be greatly appreciated. This species is most active when the aquarium lights are on during the day.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003eBlack Angelfish are omnivores by nature, feeding on a combination of plant matter such as algae and small insects and crustaceans in the wild. In the aquarium, they are a very easy species to feed and will readily accept a wide range of foods including quality pellets and flakes. A well-balanced food with good protein and plant-based content is ideal to support their health and maintain their striking colouration.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003eIn our fish room, we feed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.rippleeffectaquatics.com.au\/products\/xtreme-nice-crumble-naturally-intense-color-enhancer-sinking-crumble-70g\" title=\"Xtreme NICE Crumble\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eXtreme NICE Crumble\u003c\/a\u003e during the fry stages to support healthy early development. Once they reach a larger size, we complement their diet with \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.rippleeffectaquatics.com.au\/products\/xtreme-community-crave-krill-spirulina-flakes\" title=\"Xtreme Community Crave\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eXtreme Community Crave\u003c\/a\u003e and a quality semi-floating pellet to ensure they receive a well-rounded and nutritious diet as they grow.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003eBreeding Behaviour:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003eBlack Angelfish are open spawners, depositing their eggs on flat, clean surfaces rather than in caves or enclosed spaces. A bonded pair will meticulously clean a chosen spawning site, which may include broad plant leaves, flat rocks, pieces of slate, tiles, or even the aquarium glass, before the female begins laying her eggs in neat, orderly rows. The male follows closely behind, fertilising each row as she goes.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003eBoth parents actively participate in guarding the eggs, fanning them with their fins to maintain oxygenation and removing any unfertilised or fungused eggs to protect the clutch. This parental dedication is one of the most fascinating behaviours to observe in the aquarium hobby. First-time breeders may consume their eggs a few times due to stress or inexperience, though this behaviour typically diminishes with subsequent spawning attempts.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003eThe eggs generally hatch within 48 to 60 hours depending on water temperature. The parents will often relocate the wriggling larvae to a new surface, continuing to guard them closely. The newly hatched fry feed on their yolk sacs for the first two to three days and then become  free-swimming approximately five to seven days after hatching and will begin searching for food. At this stage, offer very fine foods such as freshly hatched baby brine shrimp, microworms, or a quality powdered fry food to support healthy early development, once some size has been gained you can move onto more solid foods such crumble flakes or pellets.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003eTo encourage successful breeding, maintain warm, soft, slightly acidic water with botanicals such as indian almond leaves and provide a calm environment with minimal disturbance. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003eC\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003eondition the pair with a varied diet of live and frozen foods in the weeks leading up to spawning. Separating the breeding pair into a dedicated tank greatly improves the chances of raising fry through to maturity.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ripple Effect Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"4-5cm","offer_id":47273104670891,"sku":null,"price":19.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/6712\/1835\/files\/rn-image_picker_lib_temp_6f7406e5-96ba-4b9f-bfc2-b9057a3a3b96.png?v=1782286904","url":"https:\/\/www.rippleeffectaquatics.com.au\/products\/black-angelfish","provider":"Ripple Effect Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}