Andinoacara pulcher (Gill, 1858)

Common Name

• Blue Acara

Synonym(s)

• Andinoacara pulcher, Musilová et al, 2009, new combination
• 'Aequidens' pulcher, Stawikowski et al, 1998, provisional name
• Coeruleacara pulchra, Kullander, 1983, new combination
• Aequidens pulcher, Eigenmann et al, 1903, new combination
• Astronotus (Acara) pulchra, Eigenmann et al, 1891, new combination
• Acara pulchra, Günther, 1862, new combination
• Cychlasoma pulchrum, Gill, 1858:382, original combination

Variants

The fish used for the lectotype of Andinoacara pulcher were from Trinidad, and as of 2009 (Musilová, Zuzana & Oldrich Rican & J. Novák. 2009.) is has been confirmed that this species is one of several 'pulcher' Type Andinoacara cichlids. However, more work is required to determine exactly what their regions are.

Andinoacara pulcher “Trinidad” do differ slightly in appearance to what we know as Andinoacara pulcher, see the gallery for references

Some other variants:

• A. cf. pulcher sp. “Choco” - collected in the Rio Cauca, the cichlid resembles A. pulcher but without the orange seems and a green/silver base similar to A. rivulatus rather than the blue/grey base of A. pulcher
• A. cf. pulcher sp. “Venezuela” - named within a 2009 paper "Phylogeny of the Neotropical cichlid fish tribe Cichlasomatini (Teleostei: Cichlidae) based on morphological and molecular data, with the description of a new genus". Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research. v. 47", unable to obtain photographs or description of this cichlid(Musilová, Zuzana & Oldrich Rican & J. Novák. 2009.)
• A. cf. pulcher sp. “Rio Chirgua” - named within a 2009 paper "Phylogeny of the Neotropical cichlid fish tribe Cichlasomatini (Teleostei: Cichlidae) based on morphological and molecular data, with the description of a new genus". Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research. v. 47", unable to obtain photographs or description of this cichlid(Musilová, Zuzana & Oldrich Rican & J. Novák. 2009.)

Type Locality

Trinidad Island, West Indies. Althought the type locailty is the Island of Trinidad, this fish is also found on the mainland too through Venezuela and Colombia (see the Andinoacara distribution map, although the mainland species are thought to not be A. pulcher, but conspecific species.

Etymology

pulcher = beautiful (Latin)

Size

Average adult size: 5-6"/13-15cm

Feeding

As an omnivorous fish they are generally easy to feed. It is suggested to feed a good quality cichlid stick as staple, and supplement this with regular feeds of live and frozen foods such as earthworms, prawns, mussels, and other such foods.

Vegetable matter, including peas, spinach should also form a good proportion of the diet. High protein foods such as beefheart and other red meats are not advisable.

We feed our fish with Vitalis cichlid pellets, and live foods, including bloodworm, and meal worm.

Compatibility

Unless you are keeping this fish in a large tank (4 feet or more) then it is best they are kept as single fish, or as a mate pair. The older the fish the more aggressive and territorial they become, and will consume any fish small enough to fit in their mouths.

Unlike some of the related fish in the rivulatus complex, the pulcher complex is relatively docile and is more compatible with other fish and smaller aquarium setups.

Good tank mates for these fish are other medium cichlids, large characins, such as bleeding heart tetras, and catfish such as corydoras and ancistrus.

These fish are not suitable for a standard community tank.