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Blue acara (Andinoacara pulcher) — Cichlidae

Blue acara

Andinoacara pulcher
Family: Cichlidae
LC · Least Concern
NativeIntroduced

The Blue acara (Andinoacara pulcher) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 16 cm.

Length
16 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Northern South America; standing waters and clear streams.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The blue acara is a cichlid (Cichlidae) from northern South America. The species has a fairly deep body with iridescent blue-green scales and light-blue lines on the head. It inhabits both turbid standing waters and clear, free-flowing streams. As an omnivore it feeds on worms, insect larvae, small crustaceans and plant matter. Unlike the mouthbrooding cichlids, both parents lay the eggs on a fixed surface and guard them together. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blue acara?

The Blue acara has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly blue and shows a plain pattern. Glossy blue-green scales; substrate brooder in which both parents guard the eggs.

Where does the Blue acara live?

The Blue acara lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Northern South America; standing waters and clear streams.

How big does the Blue acara get?

The Blue acara grows to a maximum of about 16 cm.

Is the Blue acara dangerous to humans?

No, the Blue acara is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Blue acara edible?

The Blue acara is rarely eaten.

More photos

Blue acara (Andinoacara pulcher) — Cichlidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Bryan Ramdeen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blue acara (Andinoacara pulcher) — Cichlidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) morgiemorgue, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blue acara (Andinoacara pulcher) — Cichlidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — 5snake5 (CC0)
Blue acara (Andinoacara pulcher) — Cichlidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — 5snake5 (CC0)
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All data

Identification

English name
Blue acara verified
Scientific name
Andinoacara pulcher
Family
Cichlidae
Other names
Blue acara; Blue coscarob; Green coscarob; Pulcher verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
16.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Blue inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Northern South America; standing waters and clear streams. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Worms, insect larvae, small crustaceans and plant material sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Glossy blue-green scales; substrate brooder in which both parents guard the eggs. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Andinoacara

More from the family Cichlidae

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