Description

The electric blue acara gives you a proper cichlid – thick-bodied, intelligent, interactive – without the territorial aggression that makes most cichlids incompatible with community fish. Adults are a pale metallic blue over the entire body with orange fin edging.

They will pair off and spawn on a flat rock readily, and both parents guard the fry. During spawning they do become territorial over their chosen corner, so plan the layout with clear sight breaks.

Keeping notes

• A single fish or a bonded pair suits a 4 ft tank; keeping several unpaired adults leads to squabbles.
• They will eat small shrimp and may uproot delicate stem plants. Anubias, java fern and cryptocorynes are safer.
• Sand substrate suits their habit of sifting for food.