Electric Blue Acara

[Ken B]

good point. in the wild, yes their pH is lower i agree. but if they were born/raised here then they probably have adapted to the higher pH levels.

i kept SA/CA with africans before around 8.0 pH without issues, but there were usually the larger varieties (like JD and green terrors). the acara are smaller and could be a hit or miss.

I am raising some blue acara fry in 8.0 ph and they are doing well so your ph shouldn't be a problem. When you mix african and new world you could have a situation where the more active africans make the less active new world cichlids nervous. So that is a factor to consider.

[ptran]

Ken, I remember you have a separate tank for your pair right? Or were they in with other SA?

[Ken B]

Ken, I remember you have a separate tank for your pair right? Or were they in with other SA?

I only have have the fry. I don't have the parents. Look up frusterdateds electric blue acara. He gave me the fry of the first spawn and I am raising them. I wish I had the parents. And they would have their own tank so they can make more babies!

[Beth777]

I may not have a good understanding of more active and less active. Active makes me think of fish zooming around the tank a lot with frequent squabbling, and less active makes me think of fish that pretty much just hang next to their cave. To me, my tank is pretty calm, now. It was real chaotic there for a few weeks after adding some new females, but it seems to be back with everyone just moving around slow and smooth. There are quick short chases but no one is being singled out any more.

I am raising some blue acara fry in 8.0 ph and they are doing well so your ph shouldn't be a problem. When you mix african and new world you could have a situation where the more active africans make the less active new world cichlids nervous. So that is a factor to consider.

[Ken B]

If your tank is already calm you might be fine with the acaras. Try it! That is how you enjoy the hobby and how you learn for yourself.

[Beth777]

The acara at the LFS are about the same size as the majority in my tank. My parrots who are excellent tank bosses, and the one acei are the largest.

I'm thinking hard about trying it. I could probably take the acara back if they did get too bullied. I would make sure that I could take them back. I think I'll go ahead and clean and set up my QT tank just in case I decide to try it. Do you all think I should go with 3 or 4?

If your tank is already calm you might be fine with the acaras. Try it! That is how you enjoy the hobby and how you learn for yourself.

[ptran]

Yep. I think 4 would give a good chance that 2 will pair up.

[Ken B]

The acara at the LFS are about the same size as the majority in my tank. My parrots who are excellent tank bosses, and the one acei are the largest.

I'm thinking hard about trying it. I could probably take the acara back if they did get too bullied. I would make sure that I could take them back. I think I'll go ahead and clean and set up my QT tank just in case I decide to try it. Do you all think I should go with 3 or 4?

Those electric blue blue acaras are very popular. You can sell them easily if you decide you don't want them.

[ptran]

Those electric blue blue acaras are very popular. You can sell them easily if you decide you don't want them.

LOL. Yep, resale value. Another good reason to keep them.

[troy tucker]

IMO> 2 or 3. If they work out great. If they don't you can sale them to Ken... Ken

[morpheus]

sometimes its harder to get them to pair up if they are already adults, but you shuold try for even number of M and F. otherwise you could see some aggression over mating partners.

and i agree. they are popular so shouldnt be hard to rehome if you see them not working out. Ken mentioned the same as i did in that new worlds (SA and CA) tend to be more relaxed than their african cichlid counterparts. if you see them either getting constantly chased or behaviors like not eating, breathing heavy, etc (signs of stress)....then best to take them back

[Beth777]

Stopped by the LFS after work and he wants $13 each. The smallest one looked a bit rough, I felt like rescuing it but I didn't. In a different species tank I counted 27 dead fish. It was quiet awful. All but 1-3 cichlid tanks were full of IPs, sick, dying, and dead fish. It's been years since I've seen a store like that. I don't know what's going on there.

Saw a tank full of the most adorable F8 puffers which looked good. They were about 1/4" long. So little and sweet looking.

[ptran]

I expected dead fish at LFS, but 27 is a little too much. Did you buy any fish there?

[Beth777]

No, came home empty handed. I saw some fish with a black beard that was unusually gorgeous to me. Asked a fellow customer what it was and after studying it for a few minutes he said some kinda hybrid he guessed. I'm really getting sick of "mixed cichlid tanks," unlabeled tanks and what the heck is that tanks.

I expect to see some fish with IP's and a dead one here and there too but this was really bad. There was a tank of pea puffers and some were on the bottom looking puffed and dead, others were dying. Saw a flowerhorn that would easily sell for $250 that wasn't looking well at all. Really sad...

I expected dead fish at LFS, but 27 is a little too much. Did you buy any fish there?

[troy tucker]

What LFS did you stop at?