Electric Blue Acara
Andinoacara pulcher hybrid
Min Tank Size
150L
Adult Size
15.2 cm
Lifespan
8 years
About
Electric Blue Acaras are a selectively developed hybrid derived from the blue acara lineage, almost certainly involving Andinoacara pulcher and possibly other related cichlids. The exact breeding history is murky, but the result is one of the most visually striking fish available to hobbyists at any level. Every scale seems to carry an iridescent metallic blue sheen, with males showing particularly vivid coloration and a subtle orange trim along the dorsal fin. They top out around 15 cm, occasionally a touch larger in spacious tanks with rich feeding.
Water parameters are refreshingly forgiving. A pH between 6.5 and 7.8, temperatures in the mid-20s Celsius, and moderate hardness will keep them thriving. They're not going to crash if your tap water isn't perfect, which makes them genuinely beginner-accessible in a way many cichlids simply aren't. A 150-liter tank works for a pair, though more space is always appreciated.
Feeding is a non-issue. High-quality cichlid pellets form a solid base, supplemented with frozen foods like bloodworm, brine shrimp, or mysis. They're enthusiastic eaters and usually accept anything offered within days of acclimation. Diet variety helps bring out their best coloration.
Temperament sits in that useful middle ground where they won't terrorize a community, but they're not pushovers either. Breeding pairs get noticeably more assertive, which is worth knowing before mixing them with timid species. Outside of spawning, they coexist with a wide range of community fish and bring a genuine centerpiece presence to any planted setup.
If you want to see what a well-planted tank with a pair of EBAs actually looks like in practice, browsing build threads or species tank photos will give you a much better sense of their full potential than a description ever can.
Water Parameters
Temperature
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Flow Preference
Keeping multiple Electric Blue Acara together
Electric Blue Acara is mildly territorial. Small groups can work in spacious tanks with broken sightlines, but expect occasional squabbles.
Compatibility
Good matches include medium-bodied tetras like congo tetras or Buenos Aires tetras, larger rasboras, rainbowfish, peaceful barbs, and bottom dwellers like bristlenose plecos or larger corydoras. Avoid tiny nano fish that will fit in their mouth, and definitely skip dwarf shrimp of any kind. Angelfish pairings are sometimes successful but can go badly if the EBA spawns. Other cichlids of similar size sometimes work in larger tanks, but watch carefully for territory conflicts. A pair of EBAs can anchor a 200-plus-liter South American or general community build beautifully when tankmates are chosen with their eventual breeding behavior in mind.
Commonly kept with
Species this one is most often paired withCommonly tried but avoid
Often paired, but shouldn't beCare Notes
The most common beginner mistake is underestimating how territorial a pair becomes when they decide to spawn, which can happen with little warning. Suddenly peaceful fish become a problem for their neighbors. Substrate rearrangement is part of breeding behavior, so anchor plants or use potted ones if you want a tidy layout. Water quality matters more than strict parameter targets. They're tolerant of a range from pH 6.5 to 7.8, but consistently clean water is what keeps their color vivid and immune system strong. Weekly water changes of 25 to 30 percent are non-negotiable.
Behavior & Aggression
EBAs are mild by cichlid standards, but they're still cichlids. Aggression spikes sharply during breeding, and a bonded pair will defend their chosen spawning site with real conviction. They're more likely to chase than do serious damage, but smaller or slower tankmates near the nest are at genuine risk. Outside of spawning, two males in a smaller tank can clash persistently. They don't typically go out of their way to harass peaceful community fish, but they won't be pushed around either. Providing line-of-sight breaks and enough territory per fish resolves most tension.
Things to Know
- Becomes territorial when breeding, may harass tankmates
- Will eat dwarf shrimp, even large ornamental ones
- Pairs may rearrange substrate and uproot plants when spawning
- May uproot plants due to natural digging behavior.
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