Edit Acarichthys heckelii
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Name
Scientific name
Acarichthys heckelii
Described by
Authority Müller & Troschel, Year 1849
Family
Cichlidae
Summary
The threadfin acara, Acarichthys heckelii, is a cichlid from the northern Amazon basin in Colombia, Peru and Brazil and the Essequibo in Gu…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
200mm, standard length
Tank size
Not recorded
Water
Temperature and pH
Temperature 24–30°C, pH 6–8
Hardness
1–12dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Peaceful
Social needs
Not recorded
Community suitability
Not recorded
Where it lives
Countries
Brazil, Colombia, Guyana, Peru
Supporting text
Etymology
Acarichthys: from acará, the Tupí-Guaraní word for cichlids (the original genus of A. heckelii), and the Greek ikhthûs (Gr. ἰχθῦς), meaning 'fish'. heckelii: n…
Distribution
Native to northern parts of the Amazon basin in Colombia, Peru and Brazil including lower parts of the ríos Putumayo, Trombetas, Negro, Xingu, Tocantins, Capim…
Habitat
Inhabits lowland parts of river basins and often enters flooded savannah or forest during the wet season.
Aquarium size
A tank with a base footprint of 150 cm x 45 cm is just about acceptable for a pair but a significantly larger tank would be needed for a group.
Maintenance
A sandy substrate is recommended although gravel can be used if you wish, the main disadvantage being that this species is an incessant digger so if the latter…
Water conditions
Temperature: 24 – 30 °C75 – 86 °F, and preferably towards the upper end of this range. pH: 6.0 – 8.0 Hardness: 1 – 12 dGH
Diet
This species does not sift sand like some related species, rather spending much its time in midwater. Most foods are accepted but a varied diet is essential fo…
Behaviour and compatibility
Relatively peaceful in the main and will not prey on anything larger than a couple of centimetres in size. Suitable tankmates are too numerous to list but incl…
Sexual dimorphism
Sexually mature females should be noticeably thicker-bodied than males.
Reproduction
This species requires 2-3 years to reach sexual maturity and in nature exhibits an intriguing spawning strategy whereby females compete for territories and exc…
Notes
The genus Acarichthys remains monotypic and was resdescribed by Kullander (1986) who characterised it by the following: lack of epibranchial lobe; comparativel…
References
References
8 on this profile