Banded acara
Bujurquina vittata
Also known as Yellow banded acara, Straight-lined acara, Cichlasoma vittatum
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 68–82°F
- 20–28°C
- pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Adult size
- 4.7 in
- 12 cm
- Minimum tank
- 34 gal
- 130 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Breeding
- Medium
- Rarity
- Common
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- La Plata basin across the Parana and Paraguay drainages in Paraguay, Argentina, Bolivia, and southern Brazil, in slow, vegetated subtropical waters.
Overview
A pair needs a tank of at least 130 liters at 20 to 28 C and pH 6.0 to 7.5. Provide plants, wood, and flat surfaces or leaves for spawning. Feed pellets, frozen foods, and live foods. It is mostly peaceful and works in a community of similarly sized, calm fish.
In the wild
The banded acara comes from the La Plata basin across the Parana and Paraguay drainages in Paraguay, Argentina, Bolivia, and southern Brazil. It lives in slow, vegetated subtropical waters and handles cooler temperatures than most cichlids. It is a peaceful, pair-forming fish. A planted tank with wood and leaf litter suits it.
Good to know
Bujurquina vittata was described by Heckel in 1840 and reaches about 12 cm. It is one of the few South American cichlids that broods its eggs in the mouth. Both parents share the duty, an unusual trait for the region.
Did you know
A spawning pair lays eggs on a fallen leaf and can pick up the whole clutch and carry it to safety if the tank is disturbed.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
Banded acara is a mostly peaceful, solitary species that keeps to the middle. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.
Spottail loach
Yasuhikotakia caudipunctata
Freshwater4.3 in (11 cm) · 37 gal (140 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Redfin halfbeak
Nomorhamphus ebrardtii
Freshwater3.5 in (9 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Bengal danio
Devario devario
Freshwater3.5 in (9 cm) · 34 gal (130 L)59–81°F (15–27°C)
Upside-down catfish
Synodontis nigriventris
Freshwater3.9 in (10 cm) · 30 gal (115 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Forest halfbeak
Hemirhamphodon pogonognathus
Freshwater3.5 in (9 cm) · 34 gal (130 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Clown rasbora
Rasbora kalochroma
Freshwater3.9 in (10 cm) · 34 gal (130 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a Banded acara need?
A Banded acara needs at least 34 gal (130 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a Banded acara need?
A Banded acara is comfortable at 68–82°F (20–28°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.
How big does a Banded acara get?
An adult Banded acara reaches about 4.7 in (12 cm).
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