The Black Marble Angelfish 3.5-4cm is a juvenile colour form of the classic freshwater angelfish, Pterophyllum scalare. With its bold black patches, silver highlights and mottled marble pattern, the Black Marble Angelfish stands out beautifully against plants and hardscape in a tall aquarium.
At around 3.5–4cm, these Black Marble Angelfish 3.5-4cm are still young and will continue to grow, develop longer fins and intensify in pattern as they mature. Raising a small group allows you to enjoy their growth and natural behaviour over time.
Appearance and Size
- Variety: Black Marble Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare)
- Colour: black, white and silver marbling, with unique patterns on each fish
- Fins: tall dorsal and anal fins with long ventral “feelers” typical of angelfish
- Size at sale: approximately 3.5–4cm (body size, not including fins)
- Adult size: grows significantly larger in a suitable aquarium
No two Black Marble Angelfish look exactly the same, so a group creates a very dynamic, varied display.
Tank Requirements for Black Marble Angelfish 3.5-4cm
Even as juveniles, Black Marble Angelfish benefit from a well‑planned tank:
- Recommended tank size: a tall aquarium from around 3ft+ is ideal for a small group as they grow
- Filtration: reliable filtration with gentle to moderate flow (they dislike strong current)
- Décor: vertical plants, driftwood and open swimming spaces
- Substrate: sand or fine gravel, with plants or hardscape for security
A calm, well‑scaped tank helps your Black Marble Angelfish 3.5-4cm settle quickly and show natural behaviour.
Water Parameters (Guide Only)
Black Marble Angelfish are reasonably adaptable if changes are slow and water quality is high:
- Temperature: around 24–28°C
- pH: roughly 6.5–7.5
- Hardness: soft to moderately hard water
- Ammonia & Nitrite: 0 ppm
- Nitrate: kept low with regular water changes
Stable, clean water is more important than chasing exact numbers. Good maintenance supports healthy growth for your Black Marble Angelfish 3.5-4cm.
Feeding Black Marble Angelfish
The Black Marble Angelfish 3.5-4cm is an omnivore and enjoys a varied diet:
- Quality micro pellets or fine flakes suitable for juvenile tropical fish
- Frozen or live foods such as baby brine shrimp, daphnia and finely chopped bloodworms
- Occasional vegetable‑based foods or spirulina‑rich options
Feeding small amounts 2–3 times per day helps juvenile Black Marble Angelfish grow steadily and maintain good condition.
Behaviour and Tank Mates
Black Marble Angelfish are generally peaceful to semi‑territorial cichlids:
- Behaviour: calm, graceful swimmers that may become more territorial as they mature, especially if pairing
- Best kept: in small groups of juveniles in a suitably sized tank
- Tank mates: peaceful community fish that are not fin‑nippers and are too large to be seen as food
Good tank mate options can include larger tetras, peaceful barbs, rainbowfish, Corydoras and some smaller peaceful cichlids, depending on tank size and layout. Avoid very small fish and aggressive fin‑nippers that may damage the fins of your Black Marble Angelfish 3.5-4cm.
Important Notes
- The Black Marble Angelfish 3.5-4cm will grow – plan for their adult size and a suitably tall aquarium.
- Provide stable water conditions, good filtration and regular maintenance for long‑term health.
- Individual temperament can vary – always monitor interactions as they mature and form hierarchies or pairs.
