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Blue acara (Andinoacara pulcher) — Cichlidae

Blue acara

Andinoacara pulcher
Family: Cichlidae
LC · Least Concern

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
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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.

Where does the Blue acara live?

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

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.

Is the Blue acara edible?

The Blue acara is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Blauwe acara sourced
English name
Blue acara verified
Scientific name
Andinoacara pulcher
Family
Cichlidae
Other names
Blue acara; Blue coscarob; Green coscarob 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
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
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. 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 Andinoacara

More from the family Cichlidae

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