{"product_id":"blue-acara-cichlid-andinoacara-pulcher","title":"Blue Acara Cichlid | Andinoacara pulcher","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Blue Acara is a steely-blue, easygoing New World cichlid that has been a hobby favourite for decades, thanks to its handsome shimmering scales and remarkably peaceable temperament. Hardy and full of character, it's one of the most manageable 'big' cichlids and a great first larger cichlid for a spacious community. Adults reach around 15-16cm, so give them room and good filtration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAndinoacara pulcher is a South American cichlid native to the Orinoco basin, Lake Maracaibo and the upper Magdalena, across Venezuela, Colombia and Trinidad. It lives in slow-flowing rivers, streams and still pools, often over sand and among wood and roots, in neutral to moderately hard water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA robust, oval-bodied cichlid in silvery-grey overlaid with rows of iridescent blue-green spangles across the face and flanks, and blue edging to the fins. Mature males grow larger with slightly more pointed dorsal and anal fins. This is the natural blue form, distinct from the man-made Electric Blue Acara.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the most peaceable medium cichlids, it is best described as semi-aggressive: generally calm and community-friendly, but territorial when breeding. It can be kept with robust, similarly-sized tankmates and even some peaceful community fish too large to be eaten. A bonded pair will defend a patch when spawning.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn omnivore with a carnivorous lean. Feed a quality cichlid pellet as the staple and supplement with frozen and live foods such as bloodworm, prawn, mussel and earthworm, plus some vegetable matter. It will hunt small fish, so choose tankmates accordingly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProvide a medium-to-large tank with a soft sand base, driftwood, rockwork and some hardy or robust plants, as it may dig. It is sensitive to poor water quality, so give it efficient filtration, gentle to moderate flow and a diligent maintenance routine with regular water changes. Neutral to moderately hard water suits it well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA substrate-spawning cichlid that forms monogamous pairs and makes an excellent, attentive parent. The pair clean a flat rock or firm surface, lay a batch of eggs and guard both eggs and fry diligently, moving the young around the tank. Breeding is very achievable and a rewarding sight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAndinoacara pulcher\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlue Acara\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSouth America (Venezuela, Colombia and Trinidad)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 15-16cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7-10 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSemi-aggressive (peaceable; territorial when breeding)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner to Intermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e200 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e250 litres or more\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e22-26°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.5-8.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5-20 dGH (moderately soft to hard)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLarger community and New World cichlid aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMostly (may dig; use robust or potted plants)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRobust, similarly-sized tankmates such as other peaceful medium cichlids (severums, larger acaras), larger tetras and barbs, rainbowfish, catfish such as bristlenose and larger Corydoras, and other fish too big to be eaten.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVery small fish that will be eaten, highly aggressive large cichlids that will bully it, and delicate long-finned or slow species. Give a breeding pair extra space, as they become territorial.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232809140515,"sku":"AA1504","price":29.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232809173283,"sku":"AA1504-M","price":34.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232809206051,"sku":"AA1504-L","price":39.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/blue-acara-cichlid-andinoaca-43887094169891.webp?v=1790306324","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/blue-acara-cichlid-andinoacara-pulcher","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}