If you click a link on this page, then go on to make a purchase, we may receive a commission but at no extra cost to you. Learn More

Blue Acara: Everything You Need To Know

Are you an aquatic animal enthusiast looking to discover the next big thing to spark electrifying discussions over your marine exhibit or fish tank? Well, I’ve recently researched a fish known for its magnificent electric moon blue appearance.

Though its body is molded in the standard oval cichlid shape, elongated and compressed on its sides with pointed dorsal and anal fins, it has been biologically decorated with green horizontal lines on its face as well as bluish-green, metallic scales that give it the stunning electric blue color that breathes life into its name.

If you, like me, are attracted to shiny things then the electric blue acara (Andinocara Pulcher) might be just the new pet to add to your aquatic collection.

Yes, as long as the other aquatic lifeforms in your tank are known to have a friendly disposition, you will have no problem making the electric blue acara to your fish family as they are a very friendly ad peaceful breed, despite the well known aggressive traits of its family tree.

The electric blue acara is a freshwater fish and is native to the rivers and lakes of Central America and South America. They derive from the Cichlidae family, a class of fish known for their aggressiveness. Surprising, right?


Diet and Nutrition

Diet and nutrition are just as important to any other living organism as it is to humans as it has an effect on health and life span. With exception of the other species in your Imaginarium. Should you choose to have others to compare to this rare beauty, the electric blue acara will feast on anything.

Though considered omnivores, electric blue acara fish tend to feed on lots of live critters. The typical diet of an electric blue acara typically consists of earthworms, blood worms, tubifex, brine shrimp, flaked foods, cichlid pellets, and small insects, so a good diet for your new addition will include well balanced and diverse foods.

electric blue acara fish tend to feed on lots of live critters
electric blue acara fish tend to feed on lots of live critters

In addition, the electric blue should be given as much food as it can get down in 2-3 minute sittings and to minimize health risks these feedings should occur no more than twice on a daily schedule. It is important to avoid overfeeding.

Improper digestion (which leads to a contaminated tank due to overproduction of waste), fatty liver, and fin rot are just a few health complications that will likely arise from overfeeding.

Expert Tip: It can be easy to overfeed a pet but it’s just as easy to recognize the signs of overfeeding. If it takes a fish longer than four minutes to complete a meal, they are being overfed.


Growth and Development

With a compact and stocky build, the electric blue acara species typically grow to around 13 cm (5.1 in), but can reach up to approximately 16 cm (6.3 in). Due to its maximum size and its long, flowing fins, it is best to maintain a minimum 30-gallon tank for your acara, accompanied by a soft, sandy substrate.

Planning to raise more than one of these beauties? Then it would be best to add an additional 15 gallons of water to the enclosure for each additional electric blue acara you add (meaning if you’d like to keep two acara fish, you will need a 45-gallon tank and a 60-gallon tank to maintain three electric blue acara).

This will allow your acara(s) enough space to swim and maintain an active lifestyle. Though it has been done in the past, it is strongly recommended that you do not place your acara(s) in slightly smaller enclosures.

Generally, it takes an electric blue acara fish to reach its maximum growth between 8 and 10 months of age. The average captive electric blue acara lifespan is between 8 and 10 years (20 years in their natural habitat).


Environment and Decor

Providing the enclosure with a soft substrate
Providing the enclosure with a soft substrate

If your goal is to raise happy and comfortable electric blues that will live an enriching life, it will be beneficial to mimic their natural environment within their enclosure as much as possible, providing as many hiding places as possible which will offer them peace of mind with a sense of safety.

Doing this will decrease stress which will offer longevity. It is best to include a few resin caves or rock work in the living space of your acara as well, in addition to a few driftwood arrangements.

Providing the enclosure with a soft substrate will allow your acara to burrow without the risk of cutting themselves, this is necessary because an electric blue acara will spend a good portion of its time investigating and digging.

According to an article written by Robert, “Given that these species will be kept in a pretty large planted tank, there should be nice aeration and filtration system. A normal filter on a medium-high setting would do the job just fine”. Additionally, replace the substrate and clean the enclosure every 3-4 weeks.


H20

Electric blue acara requires proper water conditions
Electric blue acara requires proper water conditions

To live a full and healthy life, the electric blue acara requires proper water conditions. Maintaining water quality and conditions are absolutely essential to thriving aquatic life. Ich and skin fluke are the most common illnesses likely to infect an electric blue if the proper living environment is not provided and maintained.

Luckily for the current and potential parents of the electric blue acara, there is a wide range of recommendations for water conditions as the electric blue acara is a sturdier fish. Water temperatures between 72 degrees Fahrenheit to 82 degrees Fahrenheit will be perfectly suitable (with 76 degrees Fahrenheit being the zone of perfection).

Overheating your fish enclosure can hinder the fish from receiving sufficient oxygen from the water which can lead to death by suffocation. Over cooling your fish enclosure, will slow the metabolism of your fish which will lead to sleepy and sluggish fish. This will lead to a sedentary lifestyle and decrease life span.

Optimal pH levels for your electric blue acara are between 6 and 7.5 pH, 6-20 DH are a solid reference for the hardness of the water within their habitat. An acidic aquatic enclosure will result in the production of excess mucous by the fish in addition to fish gasping, hyperplasia, and vision impairment.

Extremely alkaline water will result in damaging effects on the gills of the fish and result in fish death. Medium lighting is best.

Expert Tip: Typically 8-10 hours of light is ideal for your fish enclosure. 24-hour lighting can cause your fish enclosure to develop algae, decreasing available oxygen.

Alternatively, insufficient lighting will cause the immune system of a fish to lower significantly, making them more susceptible to color loss and disease.


Breeding

Electric blue acara breeding
Electric blue acara breeding

Though flexible when it comes to sharing their room, keeping electric blue acara with their own kind is probably the simplest way to keep the peace. Generally, they are best kept in pairs. They are possibly one of the easiest cichlids to breed. A 20-gallon tank for breeding is ideal with slightly fewer plants than the main tank.

Electric blues are typically sexually mature once they grow to around two to three inches in length. Large grains of sand as substrate covered with flat rocks is best. Flat rocks will provide mom with a safe space to lay her eggs.

The ideal water temperature for breeding is slightly above 77F with a neutral pH “Pairs of acaras that are kept in optimum conditions may spawn several times every year”. Female acara will lay about 150-200 eggs and will stay close, protecting their offspring. Male fish will swim a little further away and will remain nearby to protect their families.

Avatar photo
About Ava Wellington

Hi, my name is Ava and I am a editor for GuideYourPet. I love pets, and am the owner of 2 horses and 2 dogs! I have loved pets all my life, and have owned everything from bearded dragons to snakes! I am excited to help you take the best care of your pet!