All fish / Cichlidae

Zebra acara

Ivanacara adoketa

Also known as zebra acara, nannacara adoketa, banded acara, adoketa cichlid, zebra nannacara, ivanacara, ナナカラ・アドケタ, 斑马短鲷

A small, compact dwarf cichlid with strong dark vertical bars over a pale grey-brown body. Males have longer, pointed fins with blue edging, and in breeding colour the barring becomes very bold. Keepers like it for its interesting pair behaviour and modest size.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

7 cm

Temperature

24 to 29 °C

pH

4.5 to 6.5

Smallest tank

80 litres

Keep as

A pair, or one male with two females in a larger tank

Diet

Carnivore: small live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, brine shrimp and daphnia, plus quality micro pellets

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Upper Rio Negro basin, Brazil

Breeding

It spawns on a cave roof or hidden flat surface, and both parents guard the eggs and free-swimming fry. Spawning is fairly easy in soft, acidic, clean water, but eggs often fail in hard water.

Good to know

This fish was moved from Nannacara to Ivanacara, so it may be listed under either name. Pairs turn territorial while breeding and need caves and soft, acidic water to do well over the long term.