{"product_id":"neon-blue-acara-cichlid-andinoacara-pulcher","title":"Neon Blue Acara Cichlid | Andinoacara pulcher","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Blue Acara is a steely-blue, easygoing New World cichlid — hardy, handsome and one of the more peaceable of its kind. The 'Neon Blue' form is especially vivid. Reaching around 15 cm (occasionally larger), it makes a great first 'big' cichlid for a spacious community.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAndinoacara pulcher\u003c\/em\u003e (formerly \u003cem\u003eAequidens pulcher\u003c\/em\u003e) is a South American cichlid from northern South America and Trinidad — the Orinoco basin, Lake Maracaibo and the upper Magdalena drainage of Venezuela, Colombia and Trinidad. It inhabits slow rivers, streams and pools over a range of water conditions, which is part of why it is so adaptable in the aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA robust, oval-bodied cichlid in gleaming steel-blue to grey, spangled all over with rows of iridescent blue-green spots on the body and fins, and often a faint dark bar or blotch mid-flank. The 'Neon Blue' form intensifies that electric-blue sheen. Colour deepens with maturity, good food and clean water.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSemi-aggressive but relatively peaceful for a cichlid of its size — generally calm outside of breeding, when a pair becomes territorial and protective. Best kept with similarly-sized, robust tankmates that are neither tiny enough to eat nor aggressive enough to bully. Provide space and cover to defuse squabbles.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn omnivore. Feed a quality cichlid pellet as the staple, supplemented with frozen and live meaty foods — bloodworm, brine shrimp, prawn and earthworm — plus some vegetable matter. A varied diet keeps colour and condition at their best.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide a medium-to-large tank of around 150 litres or more, with efficient filtration, open swimming space and some robust planting or décor for cover. Blue Acaras are unfussy: pH 6.5–8.0, soft to moderately hard water and a temperature of 22–26 °C suit them well. They may dig, so anchor plants and décor. Regular partial water changes keep them thriving.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn open substrate spawner and devoted parent. A bonded pair cleans a flat rock or slate, lays a large clutch and both guard and fan the eggs and later shepherd the free-swimming fry. Pairs form readily from a group, and breeding is straightforward in stable, clean water.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cem\u003eAndinoacara pulcher\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlue Acara ('Neon Blue' form)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSouth America (Trinidad, Venezuela, Colombia — Orinoco, Maracaibo, Magdalena)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 15 cm; occasionally to ~20 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8–10 years or more\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSemi-aggressive; relatively peaceful outside breeding\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e150 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e200 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 (adaptable)\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\u003eBeginners; robust community and New World cichlid tanks\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; anchor plants well)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOther medium New World cichlids (Severums, Firemouths, larger Acaras), robust tetras and barbs, silver dollars, corydoras and medium plecos in a large enough tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eVery small fish that may be eaten, delicate long-finned community fish, and large, highly aggressive cichlids that will bully it.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232807436579,"sku":null,"price":24.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232807469347,"sku":"AA1777","price":29.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232807502115,"sku":null,"price":34.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Neon_Blue_Acara_Cichlid_6fa2f185-f27b-48e6-8ea9-219addbe7954.jpg?v=1781699448","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/neon-blue-acara-cichlid-andinoacara-pulcher","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}