Click here to see several pictures of Threadfin Acaras, including mature males with long thread fins.

The fish shown above in our picture is a young immature fish of undetermined gender without the long threadfins.

Comments: This is a new and still rare aquarium fish.

Origin: This is a Neotropical Cichlid from northern South America in Colombia, Peru, and Brazil. But now Threadfin Acaras live in aquariums all over the world.

Maximum Size: In aquariums Threadfin Acaras can grow to be about 8" long. A few males grow to be larger.

Behaviors: Threadfin Acaras are usually not too aggressive, but males are territorial, when they're preparing to breed, breeding, or protecting their eggs and babies.

Male Threadfin Acaras often chase after other male Threadfin Acaras and make them miserable, so it's best to keep only one male in an aquarium, unless the aquarium is very big with lots of other fish and lots of hiding places.

Compatibility: Some recommended tank mates include Pictus Catfish, Leporinus, Cory Catfish, Silver Dollars, Headstanders, and other less aggressive South American Cichlid species like Eartheaters.

Click here to read more about compatible groups of pet fish.

Temperature: Threadfin Acaras live best from about 75 to 80-degrees F. with 78 being perhaps ideal.

Click here to learn about aquarium temperature, aquarium thermometers, and aquarium heaters.

Feeding: Premium Fish Food Flakes and Pellets are best.

Flakes and smaller sized pellets when they're small, and larger size pellets, when they're bigger are the ideal foods for these fish.

Click here to learn more about and shop online for premium fish foods.

Water Conditions: These fish are touchy, and so they do not like new aquariums. They are susceptible to "Hole in Head Disease". Click here to learn more about that.

Click here for a lot more information about aquarium water conditions.

Aquarium Size: Threadfin Acaras will eventually need to live in an aquarium with at least 80-gallons of water, but of course bigger is better.

Decor: Threadfin Acaras do not need gravel, and a layer of gravel more than 1/4" thick will usually fill with bits of uneaten food that will contaminate the water. Click here for more about aquarium gravel.

Live plants are beautiful and improve the water quality, but larger. Threadfin Acaras may sometimes dig them up.

Aquarium Filter: Bio-Wheel Filters are highly recommended.

Most 50-gallon aquariums will do well with one Penguin 350B Filter, but two such filters are even better, and this makes a very nice set up.

Better, but not required, is a 80, 120, 150, or 200-gallon aquarium with as many Penguin 350B Filters as will fit across the back.

Click here to learn more about aquarium filters.

The addition of Lava Rocks will keep nitrates in the ideal range.

Click here to learn more about using Lava Rocks in aquariums.

Life Span: Threadfin Acaras can live for several years.

Keep the water conditions excellent and feed them premium foods, and they will most likely breed and produce the next generation of fish for your aquarium.

Gender: It's difficult to tell males from females, when they're very small, but as they mature the males will color up with more pointed fins and grow longer than the females.

A female will become plumper than the males, as she fills with eggs.

Breeding: Threadfin Acaras females lay their eggs on rocks or in small caves.

The male fertilizes the eggs, and then they both protect their eggs from other tankmates.

Click here for a lot more about breeding various tropical fish in aquariums.

Popularity: These fish are still rare in the aquarium hobby, but they are very beautiful and should become very popular.

Names: Threadfin Acara.

The scientific name is Acarichthys heckelii.

Variations: This fish is a color variation. We do not know of any other variations of this fish.

Click here for a lot more information about keeping and caring for Threadfin Acaras, including a picture gallery of Neotropical Cichlids.

We hope you've enjoyed reading these comments.
DrTom - 12/10/2014

Fish are Cool