Banded acara

Care at a glance

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.

Related species

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  Yellow-tail acei

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  Zebra acara

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