Introduction
Andinoacara pulcher, commonly known as blue acara and locally cocobolo, is a freshwater cichlid from the neotropical basin. The species is native to the cis-Andean basins of the Orinoco, Lake Maracaibo, and the upper Magdalena, with a documented presence in Trinidad, and it is regularly exported for the aquarium trade.
Who is it?
Morphology
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Average size12 cm
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Maximum size16 cm
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ShapeOvoid
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Average size12 cm
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Maximum size16 cm
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ShapeOvoid
How to recognize This fish ?
The body is oval and moderately compressed, typical of a benthopelagic fish (living close to the bottom). The natural coloration is olive green to blue-gray, marked with eight faint dark transverse bands and fine bright blue-green lines on the cheek. The mouth is terminal and protractile, aiding in capturing prey near the bottom and between obstacles. Dark spots may punctuate the midsection of the body as well as the dorsal and anal fins, with the bluish color intensifying in males during breeding. The maximum known total length is around 16 cm.
Sexual dimorphism
Males are larger and more colorful than females, with their blue coloration becoming more pronounced during breeding.
Behaviour & Life cycle
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dietomnivorous
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Sociabilityliving as a couple or in a group
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territorialYes
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Way of livingdiurnal
The blue acara is often found in pairs and has an opportunistic omnivorous diet. It preys on small fish, aquatic insects, snails, and worms, supplementing its diet with plant material. The species can thrive in a wide range of water conditions, from clear to turbid, calm to flowing, and adapts to modified environments like ditches or canals.
Reproduction
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Reproductionovipare qui pond sur substrat découvert
This cichlid actively prepares its breeding site by cleaning a stone or digging a pit in the sand or mud, and then the pair defends the territory around the nest. Both parents protect the eggs and larvae for several weeks, vigorously repelling intruders during this period. The male may temporarily shelter the young in its mouth when a threat arises, improving the survival of the fry.
Sexual maturity is reached at around 9.5 cm. Spawning is partial and repeated throughout a season, with an average fecundity close to 950 eggs.
Harmless species
No particular danger is reported for humans when encountering the blue acara in its natural habitat.
Origin and distribution
Geographic distribution & Conservation
The natural distribution covers the cis-Andean Orinoco basins, Lake Maracaibo, and the upper Magdalena, with an insular extension to Trinidad. The species has been introduced outside its native range, notably in the United States, Australia, and Indonesia.
Conservation status of populations (IUCN)
What is its habitat?
Natural environment characteristics
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Temperature18 - 26 °C
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pH (acidity)6 - 7
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gh (hardness)5 - 15
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FlowSlow and Stagnant
Biotope presentation
The blue acara inhabits shallow rivers and streams with sandy or muddy bottoms, alternating between calm and faster sections. It seeks out banks with roots and aquatic vegetation, as well as piles of branches and rocks providing shelter. It also occupies swamps and floodplains connected to waterways during the rainy season, where food is abundant.
Main recommendations for fishkeeping
Deontology
In order to preserve wildlife, if you acquire this animal, it must not be released into the wild. See also, the Fishipedia charter.
Fishipedia supports the practice of responsible and environmentally friendly aquarium keeping. We encourage maintenance if it is motivated by a desire to understand the biological functioning of living things and if it is done with respect for animal life.
We believe that aquaristics is an opening to the discovery of aquatic environments, especially freshwater, and that this knowledge is necessary to better protect and respect these environments. Logically, we refute the compulsive purchase of animals that would not find a sufficient and / or adapted place in the host aquarium.
Our recommendations
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Min volume250 liters
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Population min4
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Temperature18 - 26 °C
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pH (acidity)6 - 7
Characteristics
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Difficulty breedingmoderate
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Robustnesstolerant
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Behaviourmoderately aggressive
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Availabilityoccasional
Recommended equipment from our partners
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Aquarium
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Filtration
General reminders
It is strongly advised to read the complete dedicated file and to get information on the feedbacks of maintenance of the envisaged animal, this to avoid any potential conflict whose end result is generally the death of the individual (or the other inhabitants). It is important not to overload your aquarium to limit pollution. This will make maintenance easier.
In nature, animals are subject to weather conditions and live in waters with variable characteristics. The recommendations offered by our team for aquarium maintenance are a guidance and cannot be assimilated to scientific datas.
General reminder on maintenance datas
Le démarrage d'un aquarium est une partie primordiale pour l'équilibre et le bien-être des poissons. Lorsque l'on met en eau un aquarium, l'eau passe naturellement par un cycle biologique : le cycle de l'azote. Celui-ci dure environ trois semaines. Tous les 2 jours, nous vous conseillons de tester votre eau jusqu'à ce que le taux de nitrite soit à zéro pendant plusieurs jours d'affilée.
Pour accélérer ce cycle, vous pouvez utiliser un activateur de bactéries comme JBL Denitrol. Cette solution riche en bactéries vivantes et enzymes permet une mise en place rapide du cycle de l'azote. Les poissons peuvent alors être introduits plus rapidement.
Il est important de tester l'eau de son aquarium régulièrement pour maintenir un environnement sain pour les poissons et les autres habitants. Les tests d'eau permettent de mesurer les niveaux de différents paramètres tels que le pH, la dureté totale, ainsi que les taux de nitrates, de nitrites et d'ammoniaque.
Pour réaliser ces tests, vous pouvez utiliser des produits d'analyse spécialisés tels que JBL ProScan qui permet de réaliser un diagnostic de l'eau directement via un smartphone. Il existe également des coffrets de tests plus classiques de bandelettes, comme JBL PROAQUATEST.
En cas d’usage de l’eau du robinet, vous pouvez utiliser un conditionneur d’eau de type Biotopol de JBL pour éliminer les substances nocives comme le chlore, le cuivre, le plomb et le zinc. Une eau trop dure ou trop calcaire peut être inadaptée à de nombreuses espèces tropicales d’eau douce. Si nécessaire, vous pouvez la couper avec de l’eau osmosée ou de pluie filtrée afin d’obtenir une dureté plus adaptée aux besoins de vos poissons et de vos plantes. Les conditionneurs d'eau garantissent une meilleure santé aux poissons et une meilleure croissance des plantes.
Chlorine and chloramine are dangerous for the health of animals. Used to disinfect water, these agents are present in significant quantities in tap water. We recommend using an anti-chlorine agent every time you change the water. In addition to chlorine, treatments and medicines sold for aquarium use sometimes contain dangerous heavy metals in high doses.
Specific needs for the blue acara
The blue acara is a species which lives naturally at a temperature between 18 °C and 26 °C. Nitrate levels should remain below 50mg/L. To keep the water clean and unpolluted, plan on changing 20% to 30% of the water volume each month.
The breeding of this species is accessible on condition of being well informed about its needs in aquarium . Any cohabitants must be chosen with care to avoid the loss of animals.
This species is generally available in specialized shops or from aquarium clubs. Specimens that have been bred for a long time are easier to breed, but special water parameters must be respected.
Cohabitation & Environment
In a community aquarium context, this species should be kept in a minimum volume of 250 liters.
The blue acara has a strong character. Its maintenance with territorial neighbors in an inadequate volume will generate stress. ndeed, it will not hesitate to fight to protect its territory and to dominate its neighbors. It is important to think carefully about the constitution of the future population to avoid this kind of inconvenience. The aquarium should be arranged so that each species can comfortably define its own territory.
The blue acara is a fish that generally lives in groups outside of the reproduction periods. If you want to reproduce them and have a good chance of forming a couple, it is recommended to keep at least 5 individuals.. In a community aquarium, the chances of survival of the larvae are almost null. After a few spawns, it is preferable to isolate the couple or to separate from the other members of the group.
The species enjoys a particularly vegetation-rich environment. The addition of plants will provide many useful hiding places for resting. These areas are also conducive to possible breeding in the aquarium.
Tips for feeding
The blue acara is omnivorous.
This species can eat dry food (flakes, pellets), fresh food and frozen food. To avoid deficiencies, it is recommended to vary the types of food.
Feed animals in moderation to maintain good water quality. Meals should be eaten within 2–3 minutes, served in several small portions rather than a single large ration.
Uneaten food quickly decomposes, releasing ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates, which disturb the aquarium’s biological balance.
Make sure each species can access food properly, slower or bottom-dwelling individuals may require targeted feeding.Food recommendations from our partner JBL - Products PRONOVO
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Granules
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Flakes
Reproduction protocol
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Maintenance difficultyvery easy
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egg-laying protectionYes
Reproduction of this species in an aquarium is considered very easy. Ideally, it takes place at a temperature of around 28 ° C for a pH of 6.5 .
Hybridization risks
In general, it is advised not to mix several species of the same genus or different varieties of the same species, to avoid the risks of hybridization.
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To read on the web
Sources & Contributions
Participation & Validation
The Fishipedia team and specialist contributors are committed to providing high-quality content. However, although the information comes from scientific sources or testimonials from specialists, the cards may contain inaccuracies.
Adrien Falzon
Translation
Translation done with the valuable contribution of our translators, who make this information available to a wider audience. We sincerely thank them for their commitment.
Benoit Chartrer
Scientific partners
Tags
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