Fin's Fish Guide
The Threadfin acara (Acarichthys heckelii) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 20 cm.
Description
Heckel's threadfin acara is a cichlid from the Amazon and Essequibo basins in South America. The species grows to about 20 cm and has a silvery-brown, deep body with a dark flank spot and thread-like extended rear dorsal and anal fin rays. It lives over calm, soft bottoms of rivers and lakes and searches the bottom for small invertebrates. Remarkably, it lays its eggs in self-dug burrows or in abandoned submerged termite mounds. The fish is harmless to humans, popular in the aquarium trade and assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Threadfin acara?
The Threadfin acara has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Thread-like elongated fin rays; breeds in burrows or abandoned termite mounds
Where does the Threadfin acara live?
The Threadfin acara lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Amazon and Essequibo basins
How big does the Threadfin acara get?
The Threadfin acara grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.
Is the Threadfin acara dangerous to humans?
No, the Threadfin 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.
Is the Threadfin acara edible?
The Threadfin acara is rarely eaten.
More photos
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
More from the family Cichlidae
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Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Threadfin acara is one of 12,519 species in the app.