Blue Acara Cichlid

The wild blue acaras are quite a colorful fish and inhabit small streams of the Amazon basin. These fish prefer lower pH and plants but are tolerant of higher-pH water. Blue acaras are small, non-aggressive cichlids, but they will eat fancy shrimp. This is a hardy species that makes an excellent choice for the beginning cichlid keeper. They are moderately easy to care for as long as the water quality is maintained and they are provided a quality diet. They are ready feeders, and if bred they become excellent parents. They spawn easily and take very good care of their fry.

Quick Facts

Care Guide

Tank setup: Give them a sand or fine gravel bottom, driftwood, rocks and sturdy plants. Good filtration is important, since these cichlids grow large and produce a lot of waste.

Feeding: Feed a quality cichlid pellet or flake once or twice a day. They also enjoy frozen foods like bloodworms and brine shrimp.

Tankmates: They do well with other peaceful South American cichlids of similar size like angelfish, eartheaters and severums, plus larger tetras, silver dollars and plecos. They may eat very small fish.

Good to know: These cichlids are known for their personality and often learn to recognize their owners.