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Blue Acara
An oval-shaped cichlid with a broad forehead. The body coloring ranges from light gray to black with each scale having an iridescent yellow to turquoise spots. Five to eight transverse stripes are present, but often not visible, on the body. The cheeks and gill cover are marked with turquoise spots and lines. The fins are marked with a covering of iridescent turquoise to dark blue splotches and the caudal fin and rear part of the anal fin may be marked with a pink tint. The upper crest of the dorsal fin is occasionally orange.
This fish ranges in sizes of up to 8" (20 cm) in the wild but rarely larger than 6.3" (16 cm) in captivity.
They are usually found in Northern South America and Southern Central America; Colombia, Panama, Trinidad, Tobago, Venezuela They generally prefer the bottom and middle areas of the tank
A tank of 35 gallons (132 L) is sufficient for keeping these fish. The tank should have strong lighting and a fine gravel or sand substrate is recommended. Use hardy plants in the back and corners of the tank. Hiding places of rocks, roots, and wood are suggested, as are open swimming areas. Water parameters should range as follows: pH 6-8 (7.0), 1-25 dH (10), and water temperature should range 68-77°F (20-25°C)
These fish are generally territorial, though peaceful that can be combined with similarly-sized companions. Pairs from monogamous bonds and later, nuclear families.
Some of the recommended tankmates for these fish are from these families: Pimelodids, Loricarids, Doradids, “Cichlasoma,” Severum, other Acaras, larger characins.
They thrive if fed on foods such as live; insect larvae, crustaceans, worms, insects; chopped meat; tablets; large flakes
When sexing the Blue Acara the anal and dorsal fins are more elongated, often extending beyond the caudal fin, on the male.
The Blue Acara may spawn several times a year under the right circumstances. The eggs are deposited on rocks out in the open. These are fertilized by the male and carefully guarded by both parents. The parents may pick off unfertilized eggs. The eggs hatch after 2-5 days, and the young are free-swimming a few days later. The parents continue their care for the fry, which can be fed on Artemia nauplii and roftiers. Blue Acara are easy to breed and are sexually mature at 2.8"(7 cm).
The Blue Acara is a greedy eater whose excrement quickly dirties the water. It is essential to make frequent partial water changes and not to overpopulate the tank to keep these fish hardy.
