Care and Compatibility of Electric Blue Cichlid - Andinoacara pulcher


Introduction

The Electric Blue Cichlid (Andinoacara pulcher), also known as the Flag Cichlid, is a popular species in aquariums due to its beautiful coloration and interesting behavior. Native to Central America, this fish is known for its oval and flattened body shape, with long and elegant dorsal and anal fins. Their coloration ranges from shades of vibrant blue to yellow, making them stand out in the aquarium. They are medium-sized fish and can reach around 15 centimeters in length. They are relatively easy to care for and adapt well to a variety of water conditions.

Behavior

The Electric Blue Cichlid is known for its beautiful bright blue coloration and active behavior. It is a peaceful and social species that can adapt to various types of community aquariums. It is recommended to keep them in groups of at least 6 individuals to promote their well-being and reduce aggression among them. They are territorial fish and may display territorial behavior towards other fish in the aquarium. They are fast and agile swimmers, making them fascinating to observe.

Sexual Dimorphism

Sexual dimorphism in Andinoacara pulcher is minimal and difficult to distinguish. Both males and females have a similar appearance. However, during the breeding season, males may exhibit more pronounced territorial behavior and develop more intense colors.

Reproduction

In terms of reproduction, the Electric Blue Cichlid is a mouthbrooder, which means the female carries the eggs and fry in her mouth until they hatch. During courtship, the male will display courtship behavior and build a nest on the substrate. After spawning, the female will pick up the eggs in her mouth and incubate them for approximately 3 weeks. During this time, the female will not feed and relies on stored energy reserves. Once the fry hatch, the mother will release them, and they will begin to search for food on their own.

Aquarium Conditions

Andinoacara pulcher, also known as Electric Blue Acara, is a colorful and peaceful cichlid that requires a spacious aquarium with dense vegetation and open swimming areas. It prefers warm, slightly acidic water, with décor including rocks, driftwood, and sturdy plants. Maintaining water quality is important and providing a varied diet.

Feeding

When it comes to feeding, the Electric Blue Cichlid is omnivorous and will accept a variety of foods. It is recommended to provide them with a balanced diet that includes high-quality dry foods such as flakes and pellets, as well as live or frozen foods like daphnia, brine shrimp, and mosquito larvae. They also enjoy fresh vegetables such as boiled peas and blanched spinach. It is important to avoid overfeeding them and maintain a good balance in their diet.

Complexity

Caring for Andinoacara pulcher is moderately easy. They are hardy fish that can adapt to a variety of water conditions. They are omnivores and accept a variety of foods, but may become territorial during breeding. It's recommended to keep them in pairs or large groups to distribute aggression.


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To do an analysis more detailed about coexistence and behavior of Andinoacara pulcher (Electric Blue Cichlid) use the Aquarium simulation tool, if you do this you can test different ways to combine the Electric Blue Cichlid with other fishes giving the dimensions and space on you aquarium, on this way you can known the optimal configuration for keep the fishes that you want.

You can also find out the 43 species compatible with the Andinoacara pulcher (Electric Blue Cichlid) can live together.

Note: The parameters of the water such as PH and temperature are also used to calculate the compatibility of the species.


Compatible species (43)

Compatible (11 Species)

Compatible without any restriction


Golden Royal Pleco - Sturisoma aureum

Golden Royal Pleco

Sturisoma aureum

Suckermouth catfish - Hypostomus plecostomus

Suckermouth catfish

Hypostomus plecostomus

Royal Pleco - Panaque nigrolineatus

Royal Pleco

Panaque nigrolineatus

Clown Pleco - Panaqolus maccus

Clown Pleco

Panaqolus maccus

Stick Catfish - Farlowella acus

Stick Catfish

Farlowella acus

Lemon Catfish - Hemiancistrus subviridis

Lemon Catfish

Hemiancistrus subviridis

Galaxy Plecostomus - Leporacanthicus sp L240

Galaxy Plecostomus

Leporacanthicus sp L240

Sun Catfish - Horabagrus brachysoma

Sun Catfish

Horabagrus brachysoma

Striped Raphael Catfish - Platydoras costatus

Striped Raphael Catfish

Platydoras costatus

Electric Blue Cichlid - Andinoacara pulcher

Electric Blue Cichlid

Andinoacara pulcher

Similar Sizes (1 Species)

They can coexist if they are the same size or very similar sizes, it does not work in all cases, there may be exceptions.


Pictus Catfish - Pimelodus pictus

Pictus Catfish

Pimelodus pictus

With Reservation (19 Species)

Compatible in some cases, it depends on the nature and personality of the fish.


Tetraodon Nigroviridis - Tetraodon Nigroviridis

Tetraodon Nigroviridis

Tetraodon Nigroviridis

Convict Cichlid - Amatitlania nigrofasciata

Convict Cichlid

Amatitlania nigrofasciata

Leopard Cactus Pleco - Hypancistrus Furunculus L199

Leopard Cactus Pleco

Hypancistrus Furunculus L199

Upside-Down Catfish - Synodontis eupterus

Upside-Down Catfish

Synodontis eupterus

Apple Snail - Pomacea bridgesii

Apple Snail

Pomacea bridgesii

Anentome Helena - Anentome helena

Anentome Helena

Anentome helena

IndoPlanorbis Exustus - Planorbis planorbis

IndoPlanorbis Exustus

Planorbis planorbis

Horned Snail - Tyloperlamania sp

Horned Snail

Tyloperlamania sp

Firemouth Cichlid - Cichlasoma meeki

Firemouth Cichlid

Cichlasoma meeki

Jewel Cichlid - Hemichromis lifalili

Jewel Cichlid

Hemichromis lifalili

Severum Cichlid - Heros efasciatus

Severum Cichlid

Heros efasciatus

Pearl gourami - Trichogaster leerii

Pearl gourami

Trichogaster leerii

Gray bichir - Polypterus senegalus

Gray bichir

Polypterus senegalus

Discus fish - Symphysodon aequifasciatus

Discus fish

Symphysodon aequifasciatus

German Blue Ram - Microgeophagus ramirezi

German Blue Ram

Microgeophagus ramirezi

Clown Loach - Chromobotia macracanthus

Clown Loach

Chromobotia macracanthus

Melanochromis auratus - Melanochromis auratus

Melanochromis auratus

Melanochromis auratus

Las especies territoriales por lo general pueden convivir con especies protegidas con coraza, ya que no pueden hacerles daño por su dura piel, lo que si hay que tener en cuenta es tener un acuario con dimensiones favorables para que cada pez pueda delimitar un territorio, ya que la mayoría de peces acorazados son también peces de fondo y les gusta estar buscando lugares donde ocultarse.


Spotted Dora Catfish - Agamyxus pectinifrons

Spotted Dora Catfish

Agamyxus pectinifrons

Tener en cuenta que el Pleco no debe caber en la boca del Acara Azúl


Showdown over territory (2 Species)

Fish can live together as long as the space is spacious enough to delimit a territory, otherwise there may be aggressions for competing for the territory.


Kribensis Cichlid - Pelvicachromis pulcher

Kribensis Cichlid

Pelvicachromis pulcher

Como a estos peces les gusta estar refugiados en diferentes ubicaciones del acuario ya sean en plantas, troncos, rocas etc, si otro pez intenta entrar donde está escondido podrían haber confrontaciones por ese refugio.


Dragon Violet Goby - Gobioides broussonnetii

Dragon Violet Goby

Gobioides broussonnetii

Considerable size difference (3 Species)

They can coexist while they are similar in size or the size difference is not very abysmal, since as the fish grows it increases the chances of eating its partner that did not grow much.


Pangasianodon hypophthalmus - Pangasianodon hypophthalmus

Pangasianodon hypophthalmus

Pangasianodon hypophthalmus

Otocinclus Catfish - Otocinclus Affinis

Otocinclus Catfish

Otocinclus Affinis

Nerite Snail - Neritina sp

Nerite Snail

Neritina sp

Compatible if space is enough (7 Species)

They can coexist together if the aquarium they share is large and spacious enough for both species to feel good, as some fish may attack others to feel that they have little space and try to eliminate the competition.


Freshwater angelfish - Pterophyllum scalare

Freshwater angelfish

Pterophyllum scalare

Coolie loach - Pangio kuhlii

Coolie loach

Pangio kuhlii

Cockatoo Cichlid - Apistogramma Cacatuoides

Cockatoo Cichlid

Apistogramma Cacatuoides

False Discus - Heros severus

False Discus

Heros severus

Bicolor Shark - Epalzeorhynchos bicolor

Bicolor Shark

Epalzeorhynchos bicolor

Black Ghost Knife Fish - Apteronotus albifrons

Black Ghost Knife Fish

Apteronotus albifrons

Neon Spot fish - Pseudotropheus elongatus chewere

Neon Spot fish

Pseudotropheus elongatus chewere

Electric Blue Cichlid

Andinoacara pulcher

Electric Blue Cichlid - Andinoacara pulcher
  • Ph: 6 - 7.5
  • Temperature (c°): 22 - 27
  • Measures: 16 cm - 20cm
  • Aquarium Capacity:
    80 Liters - 21 Gallons
  • Behavior: Aggressive, Likes to take refuge
  • Size: Medium
  • Swimming area: Swim in the middle of the aquarium
  • Taxonomy: Mbunas
  • Water Type: Sweet water