Wild Blue Acara 4"

The Blue Acara is a beautiful little fish that has been a readily available fish in the hobby for many years. It doesn’t get overly large, nor does it get overly agressive. However, it is best not kept with very much smaller fish that it may deem suitable as food. 

Size: 13-16cm (5.1-6.3”)
PH: 6.5 - 7.8
Temp: 22-30 C (72-86 f)
Diet: flake, pellets, granules, live/freeze dried/frozen foods. Slightly higher protein is required as well as a good quality pellet food that is nutrient rich. A vitamin supplement will help keep the fish in top condition and its colours vibrant. 

Tank requirements: anything bigger than a 2ft tank is a good starting point for juveniles, however, they will require a 30gallon / 4ft tank for a pair as they age. They like a sandy or fine gravel substrate with lots of hidey holes and caves made of roots, rock caves and bogwoods. Plants need to be robust, tied to woods, glued to rocks or floating to provide some shade as they prefer some sections of their tank to be shaded. Water quality is very important to keep these fish from becoming ill, white sport being a common in high nitrates and swings in pH. 

Tank mates: although these are quite peaceful fish for being a cichlid, it would not be recomended for a smaller mixed community tank. Larger, more robust tetras, such as penguins, scissortails, red eyes, or rainbowfish, other smaller cichlids (providing enough differing territories are made available) are great tank mates.  Alternatively, they are great tank mates with severum, festivum and firemouths. If breeding, cat fish and bottom dwelling fish may be harassed.