A Complete Care Guide for the Captivating Royal Acara Fish

An Overview of the Stunning Royal Acara

The royal acara, scientifically known as Acarichthys heckelii, is a popular freshwater fish that originates from South America. With its vibrant colors and peaceful demeanor, it's no surprise why the royal acara has become a mainstay in home aquariums.

Appearance and Size of the Royal Acara

The royal acara is named for its regal coloration. Its oval-shaped body exhibits an array of bright hues, including red, yellow, blue, orange, and sometimes even purple. Several iridescent turquoise spots adorn its gill plates and lower body.

Males tend to showcase more vibrant colors than females, especially during spawning periods when they intensify their shades to attract a mate. In contrast, females display a more muted palette of silver, orange, and brown tones.

These small cichlids reach an average length of 4-6 inches when fully grown. Selective breeding has produced different color varieties of the royal acara over the years as well.

Native Habitat of Acarichthys heckelii

In their natural environment, royal acaras inhabit various rivers, streams, and tributaries of the Amazon River system in South America. They favor slow-moving freshwater areas containing plenty of hiding spots and submerged logs. Their native range includes parts of Peru, Colombia, and Brazil.

Royal acaras stick close to the bottom substrate, where they search for small invertebrates and insects among the debris. Their natural diet consists of worms, crustaceans, and larvae in the wild.

Housing the Royal Acara

Aquarium Size

Due to their small size, one royal acara requires at least a 30 gallon aquarium. For a mated pair, provide a tank of 55-75 gallons. This gives them adequate swimming room and plenty of territory to claim.

Royal acaras aren’t extremely active fish, but they do enjoy having space to explore when housed with peaceful tank mates. A longer tank is better than a tall one to replicate their natural environment.

Water Conditions

Hailing from the Amazon River system, royal acaras prefer soft, slightly acidic water between a pH of 6.0-7.0. An ideal temperature range is 74-82°F. Ensure any tank housing this species stays within these parameters for healthy acaras.

Perform regular partial water changes of 25-30% weekly or biweekly to replenish minerals and prevent accumulation of nitrates and ammonia. Strong filtration is a must as well for these sensitive fish.

Decoration

Royal acaras enjoy a well-decorated aquarium filled with plenty of live plants, rock caves, driftwood, and dim lighting. This mimics their natural environment and gives them sufficient places to explore, hide, and claim as their territory.

Be sure to include several peaceful, bottom-dwelling tank mates as well. Adding dither fish like small rasboras and catfish help royal acaras feel secure while bringing out their best colors and behaviors.

Royal Acara Care Guide

Dietary Needs

As opportunistic omnivores in the wild, royal acaras eat both plant and animal matter. Providing a varied diet in captivity maintains good health and coloration.

Foods like bloodworms, brine shrimp, small crustaceans, and insect larvae should make up the bulk of their diet. Supplement with blanched vegetables like zucchini, spinach, and peas as well as quality flakes and pellets.

Feed mature acaras twice daily in smaller quantities they can finish within a few minutes. This prevents excess waste from fouling the water quality. Adjust amounts accordingly for juveniles and adult fish.

Tank Mates

Royal acaras retain a relatively peaceful temperament in home aquariums when provided with adequate territory. Good tank mates include other passive species like angelfish, rasboras, corydoras catfish, plecos, and medium-sized characins.

Avoid housing royal acaras with aggressive fish that may harass or nip fins like tiger barbs, Jack Dempsey cichlids, or Oscar fish. Additionally, the royal acara may view invertebrates or much smaller fish as prey, so provide plenty of hiding spots if adding shrimp or neon tetras.

Breeding Royal Acaras

Royal acaras are bubble nest breeders that reach reproductive maturity around one year old. To initiate spawning, house a proven mating pair in their own 30 gallon tank and gradually raise ambient temperatures into the low 80s °F.

Increase feedings focused on high protein foods like brine shrimp and bloodworms. Introduce a piece of slate positioned at a slight angle as a spawning trigger. Both sexes exhibits intensified coloration when ready to breed.

After the female lays approximately 100-200 eggs on the slate, the male fertilizes them and guards the nest vicinity until the eggs hatch in 24-36 hours. Parents may eat the fry at first, so remove them once free-swimming fry emerge. Feed newly hatched brine shrimp nauplii and powdered dry foods 4-6 times daily to start.

Why Keep the Royal Acara?

With proper care, the royal acara makes a rewarding addition for intermediate aquarists seeking a peaceful yet colorful fish. Their small size and relaxed temperament allows them to integrate well into community tanks.

Provide this undemanding cichlid with adequate territory, water quality, and diet and it will showcase its beautiful hues while coexisting with most tank mates. Whether kept as a showcase specimen or as part of a larger display, the royal acara always draws attention due to its regal palette.

FAQs

How big do royal acaras grow?

Royal acaras typically reach 4-6 inches when fully grown. Selective breeding has produced some color varietals that may remain a bit smaller than wild-caught specimens.

Are royal acaras aggressive?

No, royal acaras are one of the more peaceful cichlids. They can be housed with other passive community fish provided they have adequate territory and hiding places within the aquarium.

What do royal acaras eat?

Royal acaras are omnivores that should be fed a varied diet in captivity. Offer a mix of live, frozen, and prepared foods like bloodworms, brine shrimp, insect larvae, vegetarian flakes, shrimp pellets, etc.

How can I breed royal acaras?

To induce spawning, house a proven pair separately, raise temperatures into the low 80s°F, and introduce a slate for the eggs. Remove parents once free-swimming fry emerge to prevent predation. Feed newly hatched fry small live foods.