Twospot dwarf acara
Nannacara bimaculata
Also known as Ivanacara bimaculata, Guyana dwarf acara, Guyana acara
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–82°F
- 24–28°C
- pH
- 5.0–7.0
- Adult size
- 2.2 in
- 5.5 cm
- Minimum tank
- 14 gal
- 54 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Cave spawner · Medium
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- Essequibo drainage, Guyana
Overview
The twospot dwarf acara is a small, mostly peaceful cichlid for a quiet, planted tank. It is best with a little experience.
Did you know
The twospot dwarf acara sits right at the boundary of two genera. The aquarium trade and some databases still list it under Nannacara, but it is now often placed in Ivanacara.
Caring for the twospot dwarf acara
Keep twospot dwarf acaras as a single bonded pair in at least 14 gal (54 L). Give them a quiet tank with soft sand, driftwood, dried leaves and dense planting. Add some caves or shells for spawning. They stay near the bottom among plants and wood.
Use soft, warm water at 75 to 82°F (24 to 28°C) and a pH of 5.0 to 7.0. Feed small live and frozen foods along with fine dried foods.
The twospot dwarf acara is mostly peaceful and suits small, calm tank mates such as small tetras or pencilfish. Around breeding, give the pair room and cover.
It is a cave spawner, and the female tends the eggs and guards the fry. She darkens into bold patterning while she does so, as the male patrols the edges of the territory. Breeding is of medium difficulty.
Good to know
Nannacara bimaculata is a dwarf member of the family Cichlidae. Its name bimaculata means two-spotted, for the pair of dark marks it carries on its body.
In the wild
The twospot dwarf acara comes from the Potaro and Essequibo river systems of Guyana. It lives along shaded creek margins in soft, warm, acidic water, among leaf litter and plant roots.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
The twospot dwarf acara is a mostly peaceful, social species that keeps to the bottom. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.
Korthaus rasbora
Pectenocypris korthausae
Freshwater1.7 in (4.2 cm) · 14 gal (54 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Fire halfbeak
Hemirhamphodon kapuasensis
Freshwater2.4 in (6 cm) · 14 gal (54 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Green lace shrimp
Atyoida pilipes
Freshwater2.8 in (7 cm) · 14 gal (54 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Peppermint otocinclus
Parotocinclus eppleyi
Freshwater1.4 in (3.5 cm) · 14 gal (54 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Drape-fin barb
Oreichthys crenuchoides
Freshwater1.6 in (4 cm) · 14 gal (54 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Scherer's hatchetfish
Carnegiella schereri
Freshwater1 in (2.6 cm) · 14 gal (54 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a twospot dwarf acara need?
A twospot dwarf acara needs at least 14 gal (54 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a twospot dwarf acara need?
A twospot dwarf acara is comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 5.0–7.0.
What does a twospot dwarf acara eat?
A twospot dwarf acara eats small live and frozen foods, along with fine dried foods.
How big does a twospot dwarf acara get?
An adult twospot dwarf acara reaches about 2.2 in (5.5 cm).
How does a twospot dwarf acara breed?
A twospot dwarf acara is a cave spawner. The female tends the eggs and guards the fry, darkening into bold patterning, while the male patrols the territory's edges. Breeding is of medium difficulty.
Related species
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