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Blue AcaraFamily: Cichlidae Aequidens pulcherPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy David BroughLatest Reader Comment - See More At what stage should the parents be seperated from the babies? Or should they be left with them? frank The Blue Acara is an old time favorite as they spawn easily and make excellent parents, taking very good care of their fry!Blue Acara Contents The Blue Acara is an beautiful fish with a mostly steel blue-gray coloration, but has a broader forehead than other Acara species. This medium sized fish and is a bit more courteous than the others of its genus as well. Though it is a fairly peaceful member of the Cichlid family it is apt to bully smaller fish. It should be kept with the same size or larger fish. They will breed every two weeks on a regular basis if the fry are removed shortly after hatching. They are excellent parents though, and will not harm the fry if you do leave them in the aquarium. They like a tank bottom of fine sand and plenty of hiding places among rocks and wood. Plants are appreciated, but the Blue Acara love to dig and can uproot them. Hardy plants such as Sagittaria and Vallisneria are best, and should be potted to protect the roots. They do need frequent water changes as their excretions will cloud the water and promote disease. The Blue Acara tends to be confused with its very similar looking relative, the Green Terror Aequidens rivulatus. For a some time the Green Terror was actually known as the A. pulcher, but it is now recognized as an independent species. The Blue Acara is not as aggressive as the Green Terror, nor does it develop as large a hump on its head when mature.
For more Information on keeping this fish see: |
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Distribution: The Blue Acara was described by Gill in 1858. They are found in Central and South America; Colombia, Venezuela, and Trinidad. They inhabit both turbid and clear flowing streams where they feed on worms, crustaceans, and insects.
Status: This species is not listed on the IUCN Red List.
Description: The body of the Blue Acara is stocky and compact with a mostly steel blue-gray coloration. The are a few green horizontal lines on the face and their overall bluish-green scales give them a sparkling appearance.
Size - Weight: These fish get up to 8 inches (20 cm) and will breed at 4 inches.
Care and feeding: Since they are carnivores, the Blue Acara needs protein foods. In the wild they eat worms, crustaceans, and insects. In the aquarium provide them with live foods such as bloodworms, earthworms, and tubifex. They may also eat frozen foods (such as brine shrimp or blood worms) as well as protein flakes or tablets.
A minimum 30 gallon aquarium is suggested. They need good water movement along with strong and efficient filtration.
Provide a bottom of fine sand and plenty of hiding places among rocks and wood. Plants are appreciated, but the Blue Acara love to dig and can uproot them. Though these fish burrow they don't damage plants as much as other cichlids. Hardy plants such as Sagittaria and Vallisneria are best, and should be potted to protect the roots. Normal lighting is fine, but some occasional sunlight will help bring out their natural colors.
The Blue Acara can be rewarding to keep for aquarists that are observant and diligent in providing care. Frequent water changes are necessary as their excretions will cloud the water and promote disease. Do water changes of 15 to 20% a week depending on bio load. They are subject to infections as well as other diseases that ail all freshwater fish.
Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom: These fish will swim in all areas of the aquarium.
Acceptable Water Conditions: Hardness: to 25° dGH
Ph: 6.5 to 8.0
Temp: 72-85° F 22-30° C
Social Behaviors: They are usually only kept with other fish at least their own size. Although not overly aggressive, the Blue Acara are monogamous and will pair off, developing a strong nuclear family. They get territorial when spawning and also may burrow and damage plants at that time.
Sexual Differences: Although it is usually very difficult to tell, the male has a more pointed dorsal and anal fins than the female.
Breeding/Reproduction: Suggested water conditions: temperature 26-28°, low hardness 3-10° dGH, and pH 6.5-7.0.
The Blue Acara are egg layers. A monogamous cichlid, the female lays the eggs on carefully cleaned rocks.See a general description of how these fish breed in Breeding Freshwater Fish.
Availability: The Blue Acara is available from time to time, both online and in fish stores, and is inexpensive.
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