Teardrop guianacara

Guianacara dacrya

Also known as Dacrya acara

FreshwaterFish

Care at a glance

Temperature: 77–84°F (25–29°C)
pH: 5.5–7.2
Adult size: 5.5 in (14 cm)
Minimum tank: 66 gal (250 L)
Temperament: Mostly peaceful
Social behavior: Social
Swim level: Bottom
Difficulty: Medium
Breeding: Medium
Rarity: Common
Origin: Essequibo drainage, Guyana
Family: Cichlidae

Overview

A crevice-spawning shield acara that works well in a rocky community. Keep a group of six or more in a 250 liter tank with stacked stone; pairs claim a crack, defend a modest radius and shepherd large broods of fry around it with more patience than aggression. It suits tankmates of similar size that stay off the floor. Feed sinking pellets and frozen foods.

In the wild

Guianacara dacrya lives in rocky creek pools of the Essequibo drainage in Guyana, in warm, soft water. Keep it at 25 to 29 degrees Celsius and pH 5.5 to 7.2, with real crevices between the stones and sand between the rockwork.

Good to know

Guianacara dacrya reaches about 14 centimeters. The epithet is Greek for tear, after the dark streak that falls from each eye and gives the genus its shield-faced look. It is a cave and crevice spawner with biparental care, and broods are large by cichlid standards.

Did you know

Its face wears a permanent painted tear; the fish is fine, the marking is theater.

Tank mates

Teardrop guianacara is a mostly peaceful, social species that keeps to the bottom. These picks match on water type, temperature, pH, size and temperament.