Electric Blue Acara care guide
Electric Blue Acara (Andinoacara pulcher) — minimum tank 150 L, temperature 22-28 °C, pH 6-7.5.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
The Electric Blue Acara is a selectively bred colour form of Andinoacara pulcher, a peaceful South American cichlid. The line displays an even, iridescent neon-blue body with subtle vertical bars; the wild form has a paler grey-green base with metallic blue scaling.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Andinoacara
- Scientific name: Andinoacara pulcher
- Common synonyms: Blue Acara
Habitat
The parent species inhabits coastal lowland streams and floodplain ponds of Trinidad, Venezuela and northern Colombia, occurring over sand and leaf-litter substrates among submerged roots in soft, warm and slow-moving water.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 150 L (39.6 US gal)
- Adult size: 12-15 cm
- Temperature: 22-28 °C (72-82 °F)
- pH: 6-7.5
- GH: 3-15 °dGH
- Water flow: moderate
- Lifespan: 7-10 years
Diet
An omnivore that takes worms, insects, crustaceans and plant material in the wild. In aquaria it accepts quality cichlid pellets, frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp and chopped earthworm; vary the diet to maintain colour and growth.
Compatibility
Considered one of the most peaceful neotropical cichlids and suitable for a planted community tank with similarly sized companions. Suitable tank mates include large tetras (Congo, Buenos Aires), Corydoras, Bristlenose Pleco and Rainbowfish. Avoid very small dither fish that may be eaten.
Breeding
A substrate spawner. A bonded pair excavates a pit or cleans a flat rock, lays a few hundred eggs and guards the brood diligently; both parents fan and tend to the wrigglers and fry, which become free-swimming in about a week.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern. The wild parent species has a wide range and stable populations; almost all aquarium-trade stock is captive-bred, particularly the Electric Blue line.
Breeding Electric Blue Acara
Overview
Andinoacara pulcher is a substrate-spawning cichlid with biparental care. The pair selects and cleans a spawning site, then guards the eggs and fry together. The electric blue form is a color variant of the species and breeds in the same way.
Sexing
Males develop slightly pointed dorsal and anal fins and are typically larger with more vibrant coloration, especially during the breeding period, while females appear more rounded overall.
Pairing
The reliable approach is to buy about six young fish and let them grow and pair off naturally. Once a pair has bonded, the other fish can be removed unless the tank is very large.
Breeding Setup
- Slightly acidic water (pH 6.5-7.0), temperature 77-82 F (25-28 C)
- Air-powered filtration so fry are not drawn into a power filter
- Flat stones and broad-leaved plants (Echinodorus) as potential spawning sites
Spawning Behavior
The pair thoroughly cleans a flat rock, broad leaf, or a pit dug in the substrate. The female lays eggs in a line and the male fertilizes them sequentially. Up to about 200 eggs may be fertilized.
Egg & Fry Care
Eggs hatch within 48-72 hours, with the female tending the eggs while the male defends the site. Fry become free-swimming after roughly another 72 hours. Wikipedia notes the male may protect the young by taking them into its mouth when threatened. First foods are microworm and brine shrimp nauplii, and parental care typically lasts about two weeks before the pair may spawn again.
Common Challenges
First-time pairs may eat their initial spawns before settling into reliable parenting. Strong water flow can damage eggs and fry, so gentle, air-driven filtration is preferred.