Pterophyllum leopoldi

Pterophyllum leopoldi is the smallest and rarest of the three Pterophyllum species, inhabiting the lower Amazon near Santarém. It is distinguished by a pronounced notch anterior to the dorsal fin and a striking black blotch at the dorsal fin base — features absent in P. scalare. The body colouration is silver with the standard three vertical bars, often with a subtle yellow or golden tint on the forehead. It is more territorial than P. scalare and less tolerant of overcrowding. Best kept as a small group in a dedicated soft-water biotope setup.

Water: 25–30°C, pH 5.0–7.0, soft (GH 1–8). Tank: Minimum 200L, tall format; provide vertical surfaces, broad leaves, and driftwood for territory definition. Feeding: Carnivore; fine frozen foods including bloodworm, daphnia, cyclops, and small cichlid pellets. Breeding: Spawns on broad leaves or vertical surfaces; more territorial during breeding than P. scalare. Compatibility: Peaceful but territorial; keep with small, non-nippy soft-water species.