Black Spotted Platinum Angelfish

fish description – Black Spotted Platinum Angelfish Care Guide ($Pterophyllum\ scalare$ ‘Black Spotted Platinum’ Strain)

Category	Detail
Scientific Name	$Pterophyllum\ scalare$ (‘BSP’ Strain)
Common Name	Black Spotted Platinum Angel, BSP Angel, Koi Platinum Angelfish
Origin	Amazon River Basin (Selectively Bred Strain)
Adult Size	6 inches long; 8–10 inches (20–25 cm) in height (fin-tip to fin-tip)
Temperament	Peaceful but territorial, semi-aggressive when breeding
Lifespan	8–12 years
Care Level	Moderate (primarily due to size and social needs)

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Appearance and Sexual Differences

 

• Short Description: This fish is prized for its high contrast, featuring a metallic white or platinum body that serves as a canvas for irregular black spots or speckles. It has the signature tall, triangular shape that sets Angelfish apart from other community species.
• Coloration: The base color is a solid, shimmering white/silver. The black markings are random and do not form the typical wild-type vertical stripes (though ghost stripes may appear). Males are slightly larger, often develop a subtle nuchal hump, and have a pointed breeding tube. Females are rounder-bodied, especially when carrying eggs.
• Fins: Long, flowing fins that require protection from sharp decor.
• Behavior: A graceful, mid-to-upper level swimmer that is generally peaceful in a group. They are gregarious but will form monogamous pairs that become intensely territorial around spawning sites.

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Tank Requirements and Water Parameters

 

• Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons (208 liters) is highly recommended for a group of adults. The tank should be tall (20 inches minimum) to accommodate their height.
• Schooling: Best kept in a group of 4–6 individuals to reduce timidity and internal aggression. Pairs will form as they mature.
• Temperature: Tropical range: $76^\circ$–$84^\circ\text{F}\ (24^\circ$–$29^\circ\mathrm{C})$ (ideal $78^\circ$–$82^\circ\text{F}$). Stability is important.
• pH Level: Highly adaptable: 6.5 to 7.8. They accept a wide range of water hardness but require pristine water quality. Gentle filtration that avoids strong currents is best.
• Aquascape: Requires tall, broad-leaf plants (e.g., Amazon Swords) and tall driftwood arranged vertically to provide visual breaks and potential spawning sites (vertical flat surfaces). Provide fine or smooth gravel substrate. Gentle water flow is critical.

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Diet and Feeding

 

The Black Spotted Platinum Angelfish is an omnivore with a preference for animal proteins.

• Staple Diet: High-quality flake food and sinking pellets formulated for omnivorous cichlids.
• Supplementation: A varied diet is essential for health. Offer frozen or live foods regularly: Bloodworms, Brine Shrimp, Daphnia, and occasional vegetable matter (spirulina, blanched zucchini).
• Schedule: Feed small portions once or twice a day. They are slow, methodical eaters and should be monitored to ensure they receive their full meal.

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Compatibility

 

• Caution: Peaceful but opportunistic feeders—will consume any fish small enough to fit in their mouth (e.g., Neon Tetras, micro rasboras, shrimp fry). Avoid all fin-nipping fish (e.g., Tiger Barbs). Mated pairs become highly aggressive toward all tank mates during breeding.
• Good Tank Mates: Larger, peaceful Tetras (Rummy Nose, Congo, Black Skirt), Rainbowfish, Gouramis (Pearl, Moonlight), and bottom-dwellers like Corydoras catfish and Bristlenose Plecos.