The Blue Acara is a colorful, freshwater cichlid fish. It lives in different types of freshwater environments like still water and flowing streams. You can find them in Venezuela and Trinidad.
Blue Acaras grow up to 6.3 inches long. The word “pulcher” means beautiful in Latin, which describes their appearance.
These fish are often sold in aquarium stores but can be mistaken for the larger Green Terror (A. rivulatus). Their body is stocky with a steel blue-gray color and horizontal green lines on their face.
Their blue-green scales sparkle, and they have long fins with orange tips.
Blue Acaras naturally live in tropical climates. They prefer water with a pH of 6.5 to 8.0, hardness of 25 dH, and temperature between 64°F to 73°F (18°C to 23°C). They can be found in both murky still waters and clear-flowing streams.
The diet of Blue Acaras consists of worms, crustaceans, and insects. Blue Acaras breed well in captivity; both parents protect their eggs and babies from harm.
Fun fact: These fish have been used to control mosquito larvae.
In an aquarium setup, it’s best to keep them as pairs with at least a 100 cm tank size.
Blue Acara Interesting Facts
- Blue Acara fish are native to Central and South America, specifically Trinidad and Venezuela.
- These colorful fish prefer water with a pH of 6.5 to 8.0, hardness of 25 dH, and temperature between 64°F to 73°F (18°C to 23°C).
- In captivity, both male and female Blue Acaras work together to guard their eggs and protect their babies.
- Interestingly, these fish have been used to control mosquito larvae in certain environments.
Blue Acara Habitat
The Blue Acara is a fish native to Central and South America, specifically Trinidad and Venezuela. It lives in freshwater environments near the bottom of the water column (benthopelagic).
The ideal pH range for Blue Acara is 6.5 to 8.0, with a hardness (dH) range of up to 25.
Blue Acaras prefer temperatures between 64°F to 73°F (18°C to 23°C). They are found in tropical regions around latitudes 11°N to 5°N and longitudes 73°W to 60°W.
| Water Temperature: | 64°F to 73°F (18°C to 23°C) |
| Water pH: | 6.5 to 8.0 pH |
| Water Hardness: | Up to 25 dH |
Blue Acara Physical Characteristics
Size: 6.3 inches (16.0 centimeters)
The Blue Acara is a fish that can grow up to 16 cm long. Males are usually larger than females.
This fish has three anal spines and looks similar to the Geophagus fish. However, it can be distinguished by differences in the anal fin and an absent lobule on the first branchial arch (part of the gill structure).
Blue Acaras have an olive green color with eight faint bands across their body. Their cheeks feature bright blue-green lines.
Males display more vibrant colors and become bluer during mating season.
Blue Acara Reproduction
When in captivity, both male and female Blue Acaras work together to clean a rock. This rock becomes their spawning area.
The female lays eggs on the rock, and the male fertilizes them. Both parents guard these eggs.
The eggs hatch in about 2 to 5 days. The parents continue to care for their baby fish (fry) for several weeks.
If there is danger, the male Blue Acara will protect its young by holding them in its mouth.
Blue Acara Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Cichliformes |
| Family: | Cichlidae |
| Genus: | Andinoacara |
| Scientific Name: | Andinoacara pulcher |
| Also Known As: | Blue Acara |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |