All fish / Cichlidae

Blue Acara

Andinoacara pulcher

Also known as blue acara, acara, aequidens pulcher, electric blue acara, blue acara cichlid, pulcher acara, bluegill acara, ブルーアカラ, 蓝宝石, 蓝火口鱼

A sturdy, deep-bodied cichlid with a grey-brown to greenish body covered in iridescent blue-green spangles and lines across the face, plus faint dark vertical bars. It is popular because it is hardy, colourful and shows interesting pair behaviour while being milder than many cichlids of similar size.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

15 cm

Temperature

22 to 28 °C

pH

6.5 to 8

Smallest tank

150 litres

Keep as

A single pair

Diet

Omnivore: cichlid pellets, frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp, mysis and some vegetable matter

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

8 to 10 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Colombia, Venezuela and Trinidad (Caribbean drainages)

Breeding

Pairs spawn on flat stones or wood and both parents guard the eggs and free-swimming fry closely. Breeding is easy in captivity once a compatible pair has formed, often from a group of juveniles.

Good to know

Adults become territorial when breeding and will eat small fish such as neon tetras, so keep with robust tankmates. The electric blue acara is a man-made strain and a different form; some fish sold as blue acara may be related Andinoacara species.