Home · Cichlidae · Banded acara
Banded acara (Bujurquina vittata) — Cichlidae

Banded acara

Bujurquina vittata
Family: Cichlidae
LC · Least Concern

The Banded acara (Bujurquina vittata) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
9 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The chameleon cichlid is a cichlid (Cichlidae) from southern South America, including the Parana-Paraguay basin. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a yellow-brown body with a dark lengthwise band that fades or appears depending on its mood, hence the name. It lives in shallow zones of rivers. It is a larvophile mouthbrooder: both parents defend the eggs and take the newly hatched yolk-sac larvae into their mouths. As an omnivore it feeds on insects, small invertebrates and plant matter. The species is popular in the aquarium hobby and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Banded acara?

The Banded acara has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Banded acara live?

The Banded acara lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Banded acara get?

The Banded acara grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Banded acara dangerous to humans?

No, the Banded acara is harmless to humans.

Is the Banded acara edible?

The Banded acara is not usually eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Kameleon-cichlide sourced
English name
Banded acara verified
Scientific name
Bujurquina vittata
Family
Cichlidae
Other names
Banded aequidens verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold inferred
Pattern
Horizontal stripes 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
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Bujurquina

More from the family Cichlidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →