Electric Blue Acara
A bright, personable cichlid that is often calmer than many similar-sized cichlids. Best in a spacious community tank with robust, peaceful companions.
tankSize
200L (55 gal) minimum
careLevel
Intermediate
temperature
24 to 28C
temperament
Semi-aggressive
diet
Pellets plus frozen foods and occasional live foods
lifespan
8 to 10 years
aloneOrCommunity
Community (with robust tank mates)
weeklyMaintenance
Water changes and strong filtration upkeep
Best for
- Owners who want a bold, colorful centerpiece fish
- Larger community tanks with space to swim
- People who can maintain strong filtration
- Tanks with similarly sized, peaceful fish
Not ideal for
- Small tanks
- Very timid community fish that may be bullied
- Aggressive cichlid tanks
- Owners who cannot keep water quality stable
Temperament
- Confident and interactive
- Can be territorial during breeding
- Generally manageable with space and compatible tank mates
Daily routine
feeding: Feed once or twice daily; keep portions controlled to protect water quality.
check: Observe interactions and watch for signs of stress.
enrichment: Rocks, wood, and open swimming space support natural behavior.
Living fit
smallHome: Needs a larger tank footprint to thrive.
kids: Very engaging and easy to observe.
firstTimeOwner: Better after experience with community tanks and filtration.
Health notes
- Clean water helps prevent common cichlid issues.
- Avoid sharp décor that can cause mouth injuries.
- Quarantine new fish to reduce disease risk.
Cost and time
time: Moderate weekly time due to larger tank maintenance.
cost: Higher setup cost because of tank size and filtration needs.
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