Home · Cichlidae · Pretty acara
Pretty acara (Australoheros scitulus) — Cichlidae

Pretty acara

Australoheros scitulus
Family: Cichlidae

The Pretty acara (Australoheros scitulus) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 11 cm.

Length
11 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America: Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay

Want the complete picture on the Pretty acara?

Get the app

Description

The pretty acara is a cichlid from fresh water of southeastern South America, in the drainage of Uruguay and southern Brazil. The species grows to about 11 cm and has a deep, green-grey body with a few dark crossbars and glittering spots; in courtship the fish flush with colour. As a bottom-dweller it lives in slow streams and eats small invertebrates, plant material and detritus. It is a substrate brooder that guards its brood. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pretty acara?

The Pretty acara has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly green and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Pretty acara live?

The Pretty acara lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. South America: Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay

How big does the Pretty acara get?

The Pretty acara grows to a maximum of about 11 cm.

Is the Pretty acara dangerous to humans?

No, the Pretty acara is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Pretty acara?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Pretty acara is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Pretty acara sourced
Scientific name
Australoheros scitulus
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
11.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Green sourced
Pattern
Vertical bars sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Natural range
South America: Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Australoheros

More from the family Cichlidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Pretty acara?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Pretty acara is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Pretty acara? Get the app