Electric Blue Acaras are pretty peaceful creatures that make a nice addition to a community setup. (Cause & Prevention). Visit The Aquarium Guide (TAG)'s profile on Pinterest. You can consider them fully grown by the time it is 8-10 months old. 2. With that being said, there are still some care guidelines that youll need to abide by if you want them to live a long and happy life. In most cases, hobbyists use this fish species as the showpiece of the display, with all other species being catered towards them. Mature males have a longer and more pointed dorsal fin while females typically have smaller fins overall. They are calm and go about their business at the bottom of the aquarium. The spiny rays on the backs of their fins work as a protection against otheraggressive fish, and the dorsal fin is often (but not always) pointed. Fish like the electric blue acara grow continuously throughout the first few months of its life. When choosing tank mates for your acaras, use your best judgment. We recommend taking the time to make sure their environment is adequate. You can also treat your fish with vegetables like broccoli on special occasions. You dont want to pair them with fish that are known to be exceptionally aggressive or significantly larger than your Electric Blue Acara. Based on this size range, the minimum tank size would be a 55 gallon tank, but the bigger the better for these guys. Almost all cichlids love to burrow in the sand. 5. The parent electric blues will be ready to mate again in a matter of weeks. This includes a sand substrate along with driftwood or rock for decoration. Luckily, electric blue acaras are monogamous fish that mate for life. The one place on their bodies where the bright coloration fades a bit is their forehead. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. If left in the wild, a blue acara can live twice as long as that! You can generally prevent this issue by getting a right-sized aquarium with enough fish and places to hide. A long tank also has more surface area than a tall one, which makes for the greater oxygenation that this fish species prefers. What Aquarium Habitats Does Electric Blue Acara Prefer? 3. Diet: Omnivorous (Flakes, Veggies, Pellets, Shrimp, Worms) Care Level: Easy to Moderate. A cichlid like this has a very simple breeding process, and breeding is quick and simple, but they do need a proper breeding environment. And, remember to share the article with your fishkeeping friends if you loved it! Of course, there are some species that one should not keep with electric blue acaras. This will give them enough space to swim and be active. . Blue fish are unique and special-looking since blue is found in nature much more rarely than other colors. 4. They are rambunctious and may prey on electric blue acara if bored. What stands out about the basic facts about this fish is how long it lives, and despite not being all that big it can live for up to 10 years! Being able to care for a stunning fish like the electric blue acara is a great way to gain confidence as a hobby aquarist, so make sure you have a tank that is not too small, a stable water temperature, an appropriate tank mate, and nutritious fish food.You can soon witness it swimming happily in the tank. Teach your children to maintain the fishs habitat if you have them. In a communal tank, they rarely create problems and get along nicely with electric blue acara. Electric blue acaras are usually kept in pairs. 2.75 pH: 7.0-8.3 . $18.00 shipping. I would probably get one pair of each, along with some Congo tetras and maybe some rainbow fish and some type of catfish or plecostomus. Any single-tailed goldfish with this trait is a Shubunkin, even if it was bred from another line. If youre on the fence about purchasing this fish we wholeheartedly recommend that you go for it! The Electric Blue Acara is typically smaller and more brightly colored than the normal Blue Acara. As always, its recommended to quarantine new fish for at least three weeks before adding them to a new system. As with all species of fish, providing your pets with an environment that closely mirrors that of their preferred wild habitat can go a long way to keeping the fish content and stress-free. 7 Cory Cats. Below is a list of good things to feed your electric blue acara, other than flakes (but it should not make up their whole diet): No cichlid benefits from being overfed, so monitor how much food you feed every day to prevent your cichlid fish from overeating, as this could lead to a wide range of health problems. Thats why ensure the aquarium fishes have a healthy habitat and constantly lookout for any signs of illness in the aquarium fish. The bristlenose pleco is a smaller variant of the common pleco. Prevention is always preferable and involves far lesser risk than cure. These are stocky, compact fish, growing to reach up to seven inches in length when fully mature, although they are capable of breeding at around four inches long. Ich is a common disease thats caused by the protozoan parasite, Ichthyophthirius multifiliis. You will require a tank with a nominal capacity of 60 gallons if you want to keep a pair of electric blue acara and a bristlenose pleco. He started in the aquarium hobby at the age of 11 and along the way worked at local fish stores. Have you seen a Hillstream Loach and wondered why they look the way they look and if you could own them? Hence set up yourfreshwater tankin a conscious way. Even though this is another pH alteration of the same magnitude,your fish is more likely to settle down when youreturn waterto its original condition of comfort. It has orange, brown, black, and gray stripes on its body. Unless there is food collected in the substrate, it will rarely travel to the bottom of the tank. Are you thinking about adding an electric blue acara to your tank? The parents may move the fry to the pit or leave them where they are. In this guide, well provide everything you need to know about keeping electric blue acaras healthy and happy. Their maximum size is 7 inches long when fully grown. Pairs of Acaras that are kept in optimum conditions may spawn several times every year. Although the fry is guarded by the male or female fish, during the first two weeks of their lives, the youngsters will stay close to their mother. 36 gal Planted Swordtail community. I have 12 of various varieties in my 75 gallon aquarium and wanted some to enjoy in my 20 gallon. The oscar was in a tank with tetras at the pet store, if that gives you an idea of his size, and the acara is about 3 inches. During this time, males will become especially aggressive towards other tank mates, though wont usually injure or kill them. Theyre bright shoaling fish that should be kept in at least eight schools. They need a minimum of a 20-gallon tank with the usual 10 to 15 gallons extra capacity per fish. The blue hues will flawlessly complement the bright yellow shades of yellow labs. Dempsey should have 3-4 meals a day. Set up a big tank for them. Once these fish have reached the 4-5 inch mark in their growth theyre able to breed. The electric blue jack dempsey is a freshwater fish that is native to Central America. Water temperature: The temperature range required for the water environment of electric blue acara is 68-82F. The short course in Malawi's is as follows (note there are no "rules" here, only broad suggestions frequently very successfully broken): However, if you have any additional questions or suggestions on how we can improve this guide we would love to hear from you! This is usually pretty easy to notice so youll have a heads up that things are about to happen. After these few days, the eggs will hatch. The electric blue jack dempsey is characterized by its iridescent blue coloration and black spots on its body. With proper care and attention, your electric blue acara can live a long and healthy life. Failure to do so will result in catastrophic health consequences. If you have more than one electric blue acara, you need more space and more water, so plan when you set up your tank. If you have a fish suffering from pH shock, youll have to rely on the fishs hardiness and a little luck. Their bodies are long, and about average in terms of thickness. Like all fish there are some of the usual suspects youll want to look out for. Most cichlids are known for their aggression but the Electric Blue Acara is the well-behaved child in the family. All in all, the electric blue acara has very basic cichlid care requirements. Check out the video below from Uri Shasha. One other fact about Balloon Molly fish is they are truly man-made and a result of selective breeding to have scoliosis. . Simply dont exceed two meals a day and give them an amount that they can eat in a couple of minutes. Weve heard of people putting them in slightly smaller tanks, but we strongly discourage that. The bomber can carry up to 70,000 pounds (32,000 kg) of weapons, and has a typical combat range of around 8,800 miles (14,200 km . 26. Well cover everything from their ideal temperature range to their dietary needs. One Electric Blue Acara should be kept within a minimum 30-gallon tank size. One clutch includes about 100 to 200 eggs. This allows for the male and female fish as well as the fry until they are big enough to stop receiving parental care. The breeding tank should be at least 20 gallons. The Blue Acara has no fin damage, although he is typically the one being chased. This condition can cause the fish to lose color, become unhappy, and be lethargic, in addition to the skin damage. Care level: Easy. Water hardness: The ideal degree of water hardness ranges between 3Dh-20Dh. WI. Ensure the substrate is not hard, or the fishes will cut or scrape themselves. Youll need to catch your fish quickly to save it from pH shock or any shock. A solid blue fish with no orange color is especially prized. It is best to keep them in groups of six or more and, as an albino, come in a variety of hues. They are regarded as a beginner cichlid species, forgiving imperfections and wavering water parameters. That behavior in the fishes wild environment enables them to find food, but in the home aquarium, the Acaras habit of persistently disturbing the substrate can be a nuisance, especially if you have live plants in the setup. The Electric Blue Acara is one of the most beautiful cichlid varieties of aquarium fish. The fishes have to thrive in very soft water from very hard water. A: A 75 gallon tank can comfortably accommodate 6-9 Electric Blue Acaras, following the rule of 1 fish . Temperature around 75-76F is also optimal. Tank Requirements for Electric Blue Acara. Otherwise, electric blues can be kept in a community tank setting as long as small fish species are able to find protection in size, a school, or in decorations. The fishs body is mainly steel-gray with stripes and spots on its head and body. However, there are several things you can do that will undoubtedly help: To begin, you must restore the pH range of your water to that of the fish. This difference in size is not always a tried and true method to tell male and female fish apart, though, especially if theyre still juveniles. Other hobbyists keep only electric blue acaras in their tanks and let them breed. Here's the ultimate care guide for this stunning species. When you buy via the links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Ich and skin fluke are two of the most common sicknesses that Electric Blue Acara might get. They are iridescent, too, and come in a variety of colors. This is especially recommended if spawning these fish in the main display. A variety of events might create stress in fish. Very true , you never know with cichlids. The Library of Congress > Chronicling America > Evening star. They spend their time rummaging around the substrate seeking scraps of food. Alison Page has been an avid fish keeper for over 35 years and has owned many different species of freshwater tropical fish including bettas. You can find Electric Blue Acaras at some good local fish stores, depending on where you live. Poor food, poor water quality, and the bacteria clostridium difficile have all been key contributors. It is an aggressive fish and is knon for being a good fighter. They get along with a wide variety of fish and dont cause any problems in community tanks. The electric blue acara is a hardy fish without many needs. You will require a tank with a nominal capacity of 60 gallons if you want to keep a pair of electric blue acara and a bristlenose pleco. Also, mates stay together for life which means you wont be able to mix and match once the breeding process is finished. Plants and vegetation are frequently floating on the surface of the bodies of water that electric blue acara inhabit. Place an upturned saucer on the substrate. They can be kept with an assortment of tank mates, both bigger and smaller, more active and less active. If you have the room for a 55 gallon I would suggest getting a 75 gallon bigger footprint better for medium size fish. The electric blue acara may not occur in the wild, but its closest relative, the blue acara, does. Although Electric Blue Acara are pretty low-maintenance fish, we recommend spending a little time to ensure that their habitat is suitable. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Electric Blue Acara Fry .75" -1.25" at the best online prices at eBay! Skin and gill flukes are tiny parasites that embed themselves into the fishs body or gills. Breeding electric blue acara is fun and easy. Affected fish have red skin or gills, excess mucus on the skin, flicking or rubbing on substrate and tank dcor, labored respiration. These fish can be many colors on the spectrum, which can even change depending on their mood. The Electric Blue Acara reaches 6-7 inches in length in adulthood. We may earn a small commission through products purchased using links on this page. Electric Blue Acaras are omnivorous, although most of their wild diet is made up of meaty protein. Tankarium is reader-supported. If possible, you must also eliminate the source of the issue. Electric blue acaras are a colorful freshwater fish native to South America. Keep an eye out for aggressive fish like the following: Size and temperament are usually the deciding factors. As a cichlid species, they can also be territorial, especially the males during spawning times. The female will spawn the eggs and the male will fertilize them (usually shortly after). It all boils down to the kind of cichlids you have. Furthermore, a bad diet might lead to stress. Put the blue acaras in one tank and leave the other fishes where they are. The julii and sterbai are both typical gentle bumbling Cory's the sterbai being the bigger of the two. . We recommend using a 20 gallon tank with a temperature of about 75 degrees fahrenheit for . If the pH is slightly out of range yet the fish seems fine, you should consider that pH only. Right now, the acara is much bigger than the oscar. Having an electric blue acara is a big responsibility, and you should always make sure you are willing to care for it throughout its life, as many pet stores are reluctant to accept fully grown fish back. How many Blue Acara should be kept together? These fish are egg layers, depositing their eggs on flat surfaces that are open to the water, such as flat rocks on the substrate. On the flip side, I dont recommend very large or aggressive species either, as they may harass and stress the Acaras. Water parameters are very flexible (Yes, Malawi's do fine in 3 dGH on up and 7.0 pH on up) and you can put 37 in a 75-gallon aquarium. Electric Blue Acaras readily form pairs and will regularly breed in a home tank setting, diligently caring for their fry without becoming overly aggressive toward other aquarium residents. South American cichlids of a similar size to the Acara can make suitable tankmates. pH levels: These fish can tolerate a pH range of 6 to 7.5, but a pH of 7 to 7.5 is ideal. Get a double tier stand and have 2 tanks. You can install an air pump or create a surface disturbance. pH range: 6 to 8. If you dont want to hassle with this then you can feed them pellets and flake fish food provided it has enough nutritional value to keep them healthy. Read on to learn more about this active fish. Quarantine affected individuals; dose water with an over-the-counter antibacterial treatment. If you plan on keeping more than one, add an additional 15 gallons for every additional acara. . Free shipping for many products! Fortunately, Electric Blue Acara are pretty hardy fish. The electric blue acara is a hybrid fish. 55-gallons with once per week water changes Discus fish stock levels can be 15 to 18 adults, or once per month cleaning 5 to 6 adults. That being said, they cannot tolerate ammonia or nitrite and breeding will demand more specific parameters. This will prevent anyone from potentially getting picked on. Be careful not to overfeed your Blue Acaras, as that can lead to digestive disorders. The bacteria that you need in your biological filter media need the ammonia in untreated water to start the nitrogen cycle. While some fish will withstand a sudden change in pH, others will not. These fish may then be bred in the main display aquarium or in a breeding tank. The electric blue acara can also be afflicted with skin flukes. How many blue acara can go in a 20 -gallon tank: 2: . Also, note that a higher flow can upset a sand substrate in addition to the disruption caused by your fish.