Electric blue acara
Andinoacara pulcher
intermediate careOverview
The electric blue acara (Andinoacara pulcher) is a captive-bred colour form of the blue acara, prized for its shimmering electric-blue body. As cichlids go it sits at the gentle end — a medium fish of around 15 cm that is relatively peaceful, hardy and community-tolerant. That combination of size, colour and manageable temperament makes it a popular “first proper cichlid” for keepers stepping up from a community tank.
Tank & water
A pair needs at least 150 litres (40 gallons), favouring floor space so they can forage and hold territory.
- Temperature: hold 22–28 °C with a reliable heater.
- Water: pH 6.5–7.5, soft to moderately hard — adaptable, but test with a kit.
- Filtration: a well-sized filter and regular water changes keep nitrate in check.
- Aquascape: sand or fine gravel, rock and wood caves, and robust or potted plants they won’t uproot while digging.
Feeding
Electric blue acaras are omnivores. Base the diet on a quality cichlid pellet and add frozen or live bloodworm, brine shrimp and daphnia. They sift substrate for morsels, so a fine sand bed suits their foraging. Feed modest portions once or twice daily and manage the extra waste a medium cichlid produces.
Tankmates
One of the more community-friendly cichlids. Good companions include larger tetras, barbs, rainbowfish, bristlenose plecos and other calm cichlids such as the firemouth. Avoid nano fish small enough to be eaten, and very aggressive tankmates. A breeding pair will claim and defend a corner, so give the community space and check the load with how many fish in an aquarium.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Expecting a “peaceful” label to mean a spawning pair won’t defend territory
- Pairing them with fish small enough to be eaten
- Undersized filtration for a medium, messy cichlid
- Buying poor-quality line-bred stock with deformities
With honest tank size, clean water and sensible tankmates, the electric blue acara is a colourful, forgiving introduction to keeping New-World cichlids — enough personality to be rewarding, without the aggression that makes the big cichlids a handful.
Electric blue acara — frequently asked questions
Is the electric blue acara aggressive?
It is one of the more peaceful medium cichlids — generally calm and community-tolerant outside of breeding. A spawning pair will guard a territory, but day to day the electric blue acara is far more relaxed than fish like the green terror or Jack Dempsey. It is a good stepping-stone cichlid.
What size tank does an electric blue acara need?
At least 150 litres (40 gallons) for a pair, with plenty of floor space. They reach around 15 cm and appreciate a footprint over height. A bigger tank keeps water stable and gives a breeding pair room to hold territory without harassing the rest of the fish.
Is the electric blue acara a natural fish?
It is a captive-bred colour form of the blue acara (Andinoacara pulcher), selectively bred for its intense electric-blue body. Care is the same as the standard blue acara. Because it is line-bred, buy from a reputable source to get healthy, well-formed fish.
Found your model? Buy it at the right price.
UniverTrack tracks the real price of your aquarium gear across several retailers, spots fake discounts and warns you when it's genuinely the right moment to buy — with an AI assistant to guide you.