The Electric Blue Acara is a favorite among aquarists for its stunning blue sheen and peaceful temperament. This guide walks you through everything from ideal tank setup and water conditions to diet, compatible tank mates, and breeding tips—perfect for both beginners and seasoned fishkeepers.
The Electric Blue Acara is a showstopper in the freshwater aquarium world. With its iridescent blue shimmer, peaceful nature, and relatively low care requirements, it’s no wonder this fish is becoming a favorite among both beginners and experienced aquarists alike.
In this comprehensive care guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about setting up the ideal tank, feeding, behavior, tank mates, and breeding tips for this vibrant cichlid.
What Is an Electric Blue Acara?
The Electric Blue Acara (Andinoacara pulcher) is a selectively bred variant of the standard Blue Acara, native to Central and South America. What sets this version apart is its vivid electric-blue coloration that covers nearly the entire body, giving it a truly eye-catching appearance.
Despite being a member of the cichlid family, known for aggression, the Electric Blue Acara breaks the mold with its generally peaceful temperament, making it a popular choice for community tanks.
Ideal Tank Setup for Electric Blue Acaras
Creating the right environment is key to keeping your Electric Blue Acara healthy and vibrant.
Tank Size
- Minimum: 30 gallons for a single specimen
- Recommended: 55+ gallons for a pair or community setup
Substrate & Décor
- Soft sand or fine gravel substrate
- Smooth rocks, driftwood, and caves for hiding
- Live plants like Amazon swords and Java fern work well
Water Parameters
- Temperature: 72–82°F (22–28°C)
- pH Level: 6.5–7.5
- Water Hardness: 3–12 dGH
- Perform weekly water changes (25–30%) to maintain pristine conditions
Lighting & Filtration
- Moderate lighting enhances their colors
- Use a strong, well-maintained filter with gentle flow
Diet and Feeding
Electric Blue Acaras are omnivores and not picky eaters. Offer a balanced and varied diet to keep them healthy and colorful.
What to Feed
High-quality cichlid pellets or flakes
Frozen or live foods like bloodworms, brine shrimp, and daphnia
Blanched veggies like spinach or peas as an occasional treat
Feed 1–2 times daily in amounts they can consume in a few minutes to avoid overfeeding and maintain water quality.
Behavior and Temperament
Despite their cichlid roots, Electric Blue Acaras are surprisingly mellow. They can be peaceful tank mates when housed with similarly sized, non-aggressive species.
Compatible Tank Mates
- Rainbowfish
- Corydoras catfish
- Angelfish
- Gouramis
- Swordtails
- Bristlenose Plecos
Avoid aggressive or overly small fish (like neon tetras), which may be bullied or mistaken as food.
Breeding Electric Blue Acaras
Breeding these fish is relatively straightforward if given the right conditions.
Spawning Tips
- Keep a bonded pair in a separate breeding tank
- Raise the temperature slightly to around 80–82°F
- Flat surfaces like rocks or slate encourage egg laying
- Parents guard eggs and fry, so don’t remove them unless necessary
- Fry can be fed baby brine shrimp and crushed flakes once free-swimming.
Common Health Issues
Electric Blue Acaras are hardy but still susceptible to common freshwater diseases if water quality is poor.
Watch Out For:
- Ich (white spot disease)
- Fin rot
- Hole-in-the-head disease
Prevent illness with clean water, a varied diet, and regular tank maintenance.
Final Thoughts
If you're looking for a dazzling addition to your tropical freshwater aquarium, the Electric Blue Acara is a fantastic choice. With its glowing blue body, friendly nature, and low-maintenance care, it’s ideal for both beginner fishkeepers and seasoned aquarists.
Set them up in the right environment, pair them with peaceful tank mates, and you’ll be rewarded with a truly captivating aquatic centerpiece.
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