What schooling fish work with breeding acaras?

Bichir_bro · Jan 22, 2025

The plan:

IMO this is decently balanced, except for the gouramis getting whooped by the acaras when breeding season comes along. I don’t know if this list is good or not, just help me tweak this so that nothing gets out of hand in the tank.
EDIT : What could I replace the gouramis with that I could get 6-10 of that also stay on the upper half of the tank?

Toby_H · Jan 22, 2025

I have aquariums that have a mated pair of Blue Acaras in each one.

I think the Gouramis will be able to stay on the other side of the tank and be able to withstand being chased by the Acaras taking an occasional nip. Plus the numbers you are suggesting for them will allow them to hide in plain sight.

I don't think the same about the Rams. They'll certainly yield to the authority of the Acaras, but if a Ram gets nipped by an Acara it could be devastating to the Ram. I love Rams too, but they're just not in the same weight class with Acaras.

Bichir_bro · Jan 22, 2025

Toby_H said:
I have aquariums that have a mated pair of Blue Acaras in each one.

I think the Gouramis will be able to stay on the other side of the tank and be able to withstand being chased by the Acaras taking an occasional nip. Plus the numbers you are suggesting for them will allow them to hide in plain sight.

I don't think the same about the Rams. They'll certainly yield to the authority of the Acaras, but if a Ram gets nipped by an Acara it could be devastating to the Ram. I love Rams too, but they're just not in the same weight class with Acaras.

Are there other peaceful dwarf cichlids that could take a hit? Ex. Keyholes

FJB · Jan 22, 2025

Agree that the acara and rams will likely result in detriment or dead to the rams, especially if breeding, or wanting to. So better choosing one or the other.
Re lalius gourami (Colisa). It is close to impossible to get healthy individuals these days due to idirovirus.
The pictus catfish get to substantial size. A 75g is not that big. Five of them may be pushing it.
Good luck!

Toby_H · Jan 22, 2025

Bichir_bro said:
Are there other peaceful dwarf cichlids that could take a hit? Ex. Keyholes

I started the following thread asking a very similar question while considering additional tankmates for my group that includes Blue Acaras.

Thread 'Smaller Less Aggressive Cichlids'

Jan 18, 2025

I'm looking for suggestions on small to medium growing low to moderate aggressive SA/CA Cichlids.

I already have:
Geophagus Sveni, Threadfin Acara, Blue Acara, (female) Severum... And am looking for compatible species to consider.
I don't want more than one Geo Species, so other options there will not be considered.
I'm not a fan of the Electric Blue Acaras, and already have regular Blue Acaras. Which I love.

I have a shipment coming in at the end of the month which includes two large aquariums that will be dedicated to this mix. The top will be the mix described above, the bottom...

duanes · Jan 23, 2025

In a tank as tiny as a 75 gal, you'll be lucky if any other fish survive the aggression of a breeding pair.
In my 180 gal tank once a pair of Panamanian acaras paired up, and spawned the male killed 8 other cichlids, he did allow 2 tetras to survive as long as they stayed pinned on the other side of the 6 ft tank, any time they got close to the spawning site, they were attacked.

Toby_H · Jan 23, 2025

duanes said:
In a tank as tiny as a 75 gal, you'll be lucky if any other fish survive the aggression of a breeding pair.
In my 180 gal tank once a pair of Panamanian acaras paired up, and spawned the male killed 8 other cichlids, he did allow 2 tetras to survive as long as they stayed pinned on the other side of the 6 ft tank, any time they got close to the spawning site, they were attacked.

Duanes,

Are yours wild caught? Are they regular ole Andinoacara pulcher?

I have two mated pairs. They're both fairly young. 3 years old'ish. But mostly mature. Each pair has been mated for close to 2 years. In my mixed docile cichlid community tank, that is admittingly over crowded, the female of the Acara pair is the Queen of the Tank. The male backs her up. When the pairs lays eggs, they dominate that 1/4-1/3 of the 75 gal tank. But no one else gets damaged. It may help that there are a few fish that could content for "King" in a true fight. But all are rather peaceful and rarely do more than a 3" chase.

duanes · Jan 24, 2025

Yes, they are wild caught, and are not, A pulcher, they are A coeruleopunctatus.
This species difference could possibly be a factor in aggressive attitude,
Mine lived peaceably for about 3 years in the 180, but once maturity set in, and a domonent alpha became established, no other cichlid was safe.
The alpa first took out all other males, then non-recptive felaes,.
I the end, allowing 3 females (of the original 12) in the tank that he would spawn with throughout the breeding season, approximately Dec thru March .

At maturity the males everage about 7" TL, and coloration became most intense until actual spawning wnen spawning became darkened for both male and female, yet blue colors faded.