Learn everything about blue acara care, including tank setup, lifespan, size, diet, and tank mates in this Ultimate Blue Acara Care Guide. A complete, beginner-friendly guide for fishkeepers.
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If you’ve ever wanted a cichlid that combines beauty, personality, and manageability, the blue acara is your fish. Unlike their more aggressive relatives (like oscars or jaguar cichlids), blue acaras are often described as the “peaceful cousin” of the cichlid world.
Quick Answer: Blue acara care is fairly easy if you provide a properly sized tank, stable water conditions, a balanced diet, and compatible tank mates.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything I’ve learned about keeping these dazzling fish—from personal experience, trial and error, and hours of research. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to create the perfect home for your acara.
1. What Makes Blue Acaras Special?
The blue acara (Andinoacara pulcher) is a freshwater fish from Central and South America. Its shimmering blue-green body, bright orange fin edges, and gentle demeanor make it one of the most striking mid-sized cichlids you can keep.
What I love most is their versatility. They’re hardy enough for beginners but rewarding enough for advanced aquarists. They interact with you, recognize feeding times, and even show curiosity when you approach the glass.
Quick Answer: Blue acaras stand out for their vibrant colors, peaceful nature, and manageable care requirements, making them a great choice for beginner and intermediate fishkeepers alike.
2. Blue Acara Size and Lifespan
Before you bring one home, you need to know what to expect in terms of growth and longevity.
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Average Size: 6–7 inches in captivity.
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Max Size: Around 8 inches, though this depends on diet and tank size.
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Lifespan: Typically 8–10 years with good care.
From my experience, diet and tank cleanliness are the biggest factors. I once had a blue acara live past 9 years simply because I kept their water pristine and fed them a varied diet.
Quick Answer: Blue acaras reach about 6–8 inches and live up to 10 years, provided they have clean water and proper nutrition.
3. Blue Acara Tank Setup
Here’s where many aquarists make mistakes. Blue acaras aren’t tiny community fish—they need space and structure.
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Tank Size: At least 30 gallons for one, but 55+ gallons if keeping a pair or community.
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Substrate: Sand or smooth gravel (they like to dig).
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Decor: Rocks, driftwood, and caves for hiding.
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Plants: Hardy plants like java fern and anubias work well.
One tip I’ve learned: always provide caves or hiding spots. Blue acaras like to claim territories, and caves reduce stress when they want downtime.
Quick Answer: A 30–55 gallon tank with sand, rocks, driftwood, and hardy plants is ideal for blue acara care. Always provide hiding spots for stress relief.
4. Blue Acara Water Parameters
Water quality is the heart of blue acara care. Unlike some cichlids, they’re not too fussy, but consistency matters.
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Temperature: 72–82°F (76°F is my sweet spot).
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pH: 6.5–7.5, slightly acidic to neutral.
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Hardness: 3–12 dGH.
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Filtration: Strong filter with good biological capacity.
I use a heater with a digital controller to keep things stable. Fluctuations stress them out more than exact numbers.
Quick Answer: Keep water between 72–82°F, pH 6.5–7.5, with stable filtration for happy, healthy acaras.
5. Blue Acara Diet: What Do They Eat?
Diet is where you can make or break their health and color.
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Staple Foods: High-quality pellets like Hikari Cichlid Gold.
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Frozen/Live Foods: Bloodworms, brine shrimp, and daphnia.
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Veggies: Blanched spinach or zucchini occasionally.
When I switched my acara to a mixed diet, their colors became more vibrant. Variety keeps them healthy and active.
Quick Answer: Blue acaras thrive on a mix of pellets, frozen/live foods, and occasional vegetables. A varied diet enhances color and longevity.
6. Blue Acara Tank Mates
One of the best things about blue acaras is their flexibility with tank mates.
Good options include:
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Angelfish
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Rainbowfish
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Corydoras catfish
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Plecos
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Other peaceful cichlids (like keyholes or severums)
Avoid aggressive species like jack dempseys or oscars, unless you have a massive tank.
Quick Answer: Blue acaras can live peacefully with angelfish, rainbowfish, plecos, and other non-aggressive cichlids. Avoid overly aggressive species.
7. Breeding Blue Acaras
Breeding blue acaras can be one of the most rewarding experiences.
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They form monogamous pairs.
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Lay eggs on flat rocks or caves.
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Parents protect fry aggressively.
I once had a pair guard over 200 fry—it was like watching two bodyguards at work.
Quick Answer: Blue acaras breed in pairs, laying eggs on rocks, and become protective parents.
8. Common Health Issues
Like all fish, blue acaras are prone to certain diseases.
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Ich (white spots): Treat with aquarium salt and meds.
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Hole-in-the-Head Disease: Caused by poor diet or dirty water.
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Fin Rot: Linked to stress and poor water quality.
I keep a small “hospital tank” ready. Quick treatment is the difference between life and death.
Quick Answer: Keep water clean and diet varied to prevent common issues like ich, fin rot, and hole-in-the-head disease.
9. Personal Tips for Success
Here are my best “from experience” tips:
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Don’t skimp on tank size – a cramped acara will be stressed and aggressive.
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Feed variety – not just pellets, add frozen foods.
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Add caves – they love hiding spots.
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Do weekly water changes – 20–30% keeps them thriving.
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Observe daily – changes in behavior usually mean something’s wrong.
10. Blue Acara FAQ
Q: How big do blue acaras get?
They grow to about 6–8 inches, depending on diet and tank size.
Q: What is the ideal tank size for a blue acara?
At least 30 gallons for one, 55+ for a pair or community.
Q: What is the lifespan of a blue acara?
They typically live 8–10 years with proper care.
Q: Can blue acaras live with other cichlids?
Yes, but stick to peaceful species and avoid aggressive ones.
Q: What should I feed my blue acara?
A mix of pellets, frozen/live foods, and vegetables for best results.
Conclusion: Are Blue Acaras Right for You?
If you’re looking for a colorful, intelligent, and relatively easy-to-care-for cichlid, the blue acara is a fantastic choice. With the right tank setup, diet, and attention, they can become the centerpiece of your aquarium for up to a decade.
Caring for them has been one of my most rewarding fishkeeping experiences. They strike the perfect balance—hardy enough for beginners, but fascinating enough to keep advanced hobbyists interested.
Final Quick Answer: Blue acaras are hardy, beautiful cichlids that thrive in medium-sized tanks with stable water, a varied diet, and peaceful tank mates.