Yellow acara - Aequidens metae

Scientific name: Aequidens metae

Common name: Yellow acara

Family: Cichlidae

Usual size in fish tanks: 11 - 13 cm (4.33 - 5.12 inch)

014

Recommended pH range for the species: 6.2 - 7

Recommended water hardness (dGH): 6 - 12°N (107.14 - 214.29ppm)

0°C 32°F30°C 86°F

Recommended temperature: 24 - 28 °C (75.2 - 82.4°F)

The way how these fish reproduce: Spawning

Where the species comes from: South America

Temperament to its own species: peaceful

Temperament toward other fish species: peaceful

Usual place in the tank: Middle levels

Food and feeding

Yellow acara’s will accept all foods, bloodworms should be offered as a treat but their staple diet should consist of quality flakes or cichlid pellets.

Origin

South America; Yellow acara’s are found in the Orinoco River basins.

Sexing

Yellow Acara are almost impossible to sex as juvenile fish. As the males mature, they will grow larger than the females and their dorsal fin will become extended. Mature females, although smaller than the males, will have a plumber body shape.

Breeding

These can be a difficult fish to breed. Lowering the water level and then filling up with warmer water may induce spawning. They are substrate spawners, add a flat surface to the tank, this will act as a spawning site. Both parents will protect the eggs which should hatch after 2-3 days. The fry can be fed on newly hatched brine shrimp.

Lifespan

The expected life span for Yellow acara is 12 years.

Short description

Yellow Acara have a peaceful disposition, they are good tank mates for fire mouths, convicts, and Severums.