Blue Acaras! - Aquarium Advice

**QTOFFER** · 07-19-2004, 02:44 PM

Yay!

After several months of searching - just when I was about to give up - I found them!

I purchased two Blue Acaras (Aequidens pulcher), two Jewel Cichlids (Hemichromis bimaculatus), and one Firemouth (Thorichthys meeki). They are all about 2 inches. Right now, they're in the quarrantine tank. Eventually, they will go into the 58 [acronym:2052b22f8f="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:2052b22f8f] with the two Ropefish (Erpetoichthys calabaricus), the 4 inch Green Severum (Heros severus), and the 3 inch Firemouth.

My only concern is the reported aggressiveness of the jewels. The tank has lots of rocky caves and the other fish are robust species that should be able to hold their own. If things don't go well, they will probably get their own 10 [acronym:2052b22f8f="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:2052b22f8f] tank.

Anyway, I'm just so happy to have finally found the Acaras!

Menagerie · 07-19-2004, 02:51 PM

YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jewels are not aggressive until later in life-[acronym:2321cbac16="In My Experience"]IME[/acronym:2321cbac16]. Post pics when you can!

Fruitbat · 07-19-2004, 03:08 PM

Congrats on the Blue Acaras!! I remember a time when they were one of the most commonly available cichlids in pet stores...but they were surpassed in popularity by all of the other, 'newer' cichlids that were imported.

In my personal experience, Jewel Cichlids are the spawn of Satan!! Don't get me wrong....I think they're gorgeous and incredibly personable along with being incredibly easy to breed....but they have the personality of a cat being given a bath! Well....actually....my cats don't mind me giving them a bath but the hair sure sticks to my tongue!

Anyway....have that 10 gallon ready to receive them!!

**QTOFFER** · 07-19-2004, 03:14 PM

These poor fish endured an hour and fifteen minutes on the bus. When I got them home, they all looked identical - devoid of color except for a few stress bars. This morning, I was happy to see that they all regained their colors - so pics will be posted shortly.

Another thing, for those keeping count - there IS another 10 [acronym:60bf96ae50="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:60bf96ae50] tank in my sig!
I'm out of control and someone's got to stop me!!!!
I now have a tank in every room of my 800 sq ft apartment for a total of 100 gallons.
Livingroom: 58 [acronym:60bf96ae50="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:60bf96ae50] large cichlid tank and 10 [acronym:60bf96ae50="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:60bf96ae50] Q-tank
Bedroon: 15 [acronym:60bf96ae50="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:60bf96ae50] betta tank
Bathroom: 10 [acronym:60bf96ae50="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:60bf96ae50] - may be used for dwarf cichlids like apistos.
Kitchen: 7 [acronym:60bf96ae50="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:60bf96ae50] bowfront - currently empty, but may be used for rasboras and dwarf frogs

Menagerie · 07-19-2004, 04:24 PM

[center:1eac31f362]

[acronym:1eac31f362="Malaysian Trumpet Snails or Multiple Tank Syndrome, depending on context"]MTS[/acronym:1eac31f362]

[/center:1eac31f362]

TankGirl · 07-19-2004, 04:24 PM

Your tank arrangement sounds about like mine - but I sure won't be the one to stop you!

Congrats on the acaras - those are on my short list of desired fish. I never see them anymore at the [acronym:e84d83d3e0="Local Fish Store"]LFS[/acronym:e84d83d3e0]. Definitely post some pics for us!

**QTOFFER** · 07-19-2004, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fruitbat

Congrats on the Blue Acaras!! I remember a time when they were one of the most commonly available cichlids in pet stores...but they were surpassed in popularity by all of the other, 'newer' cichlids that were imported.

The guy in the [acronym:a83528de64="Local Fish Store"]lfs[/acronym:a83528de64], who seemed very knowledgeable about cichlids, said that too. He said that people who used to buy the blue acara were now buying green terrors and Jack Dempseys because of their brighter finnage. Too bad the two latter fish are so aggressive.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fruitbat

In my personal experience, Jewel Cichlids are the spawn of Satan!! Don't get me wrong....I think they're gorgeous and incredibly personable along with being incredibly easy to breed....but they have the personality of a cat being given a bath!

I've read and heard the same thing. On the other hand, I've read about gentle and reclusive jewels too. It seems that buying cichlids is a big crapshoot with regards to personality and aggression. The only reason I even considered these guys is because I have a good plan B to house them. They're really pretty fish, tho (reddish with bright blue scales) - it would have been really tough to pass them up.

Tankgirl, do you have a tank in the bathroom too? I think I've taken [acronym:a83528de64="Malaysian Trumpet Snails or Multiple Tank Syndrome, depending on context"]MTS[/acronym:a83528de64] to a new level.

krap101 · 07-19-2004, 05:41 PM

i saw a blue acara at petco... but i thought it looked like the jack demsky colors and the firemouth shape... dont know if it really was the acara because everything's labeled wrong these days

madasafish · 07-19-2004, 09:30 PM

Nice, man! I don't know why I don't see tons of awesome pics yet, though...

**QTOFFER** · 07-21-2004, 12:11 AM

Some pics!

Keep in mind, these were taken in the quarrantine tank (lousy lighting, no decorations, no substrate, no background, etc) and the fish are still acclimating, so their colors are not quite 100% yet.
The red jewel cichlids have colored up nicely since I got them. The blue acaras are starting to regain some of their color too. The firemouth has a very pale pink belly, but he kept hiding behind other fish - camera shy.

Once these guys go into the big tank, I will take some serious pictures!

07-19-2004, 02:44 PM	#1
QTOFFER Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Kew Gardens, NY Posts: 3,701 Images: 30	Blue Acaras! Yay! After several months of searching - just when I was about to give up - I found them! I purchased two Blue Acaras (Aequidens pulcher), two Jewel Cichlids (Hemichromis bimaculatus), and one Firemouth (Thorichthys meeki). They are all about 2 inches. Right now, they're in the quarrantine tank. Eventually, they will go into the 58 [acronym:2052b22f8f="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:2052b22f8f] with the two Ropefish (Erpetoichthys calabaricus), the 4 inch Green Severum (Heros severus), and the 3 inch Firemouth. My only concern is the reported aggressiveness of the jewels. The tank has lots of rocky caves and the other fish are robust species that should be able to hold their own. If things don't go well, they will probably get their own 10 [acronym:2052b22f8f="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:2052b22f8f] tank. Anyway, I'm just so happy to have finally found the Acaras!

07-19-2004, 02:51 PM	#2
Menagerie Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Vancouver, WA Posts: 11,266 Images: 77	YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Jewels are not aggressive until later in life-[acronym:2321cbac16="In My Experience"]IME[/acronym:2321cbac16]. Post pics when you can! __________________

07-19-2004, 03:08 PM	#3
Fruitbat Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Garland,Texas Posts: 1,818 Images: 30	Congrats on the Blue Acaras!! I remember a time when they were one of the most commonly available cichlids in pet stores...but they were surpassed in popularity by all of the other, 'newer' cichlids that were imported. In my personal experience, Jewel Cichlids are the spawn of Satan!! Don't get me wrong....I think they're gorgeous and incredibly personable along with being incredibly easy to breed....but they have the personality of a cat being given a bath! Well....actually....my cats don't mind me giving them a bath but the hair sure sticks to my tongue! Anyway....have that 10 gallon ready to receive them!! __________________ Loaches: Botia almorhae, B. kubotai, B. striata, Noemacheilus triangularis, Schistura sp.aff.nicholsi, S. vinciguerre, Sinibotia robusta, Vaillantella maassi Bichirs: Polypterus senegalus, P. senegalus (albino), P. delhezi, P. sp. 'Congo', P. palmas polli, P.weeksii, P. ornatipinnis, P. palmas buettikoferi, P. retropinnis, P. endlicheri congicus, Polypterus bichir lapradei, P. palmas palmas, Erpetoichthys calabaricus Anabantids: Ctenopoma acutirostre, Ct. ocellatum, Ct. oxyrhynchum, Ct. kingsleyae, Microctenopoma ansorgii, Mct. fasciolatum, Trichogaster trichopterus, Belontia signata, B. hasselti, Anabas testudineus, Macropodus opercularis, Betta splendens Catfish: Dekeyseria sp. (L-052)Sturiosoma panamense, Hypancistrus inspector (L-201), Synodontis eupterus, Synodontis nigrita, Synodontis brichardi, Synodontis soloni, Anaspidoglanis macrostoma Barbs/Rasboras: Capoeta tetrazona, Rasbora borapetensis, Labeo cyclorhynchus Tetras: Phenacogrammus interruptus Other: Xenomystus nigri, Papyrocranus afer, Pantodon buchholzi, Oxymormyrus boulengeri, Protopterus annectens andPhractolaemus ansorgei

07-19-2004, 04:24 PM	#5
Menagerie Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Vancouver, WA Posts: 11,266 Images: 77	[center:1eac31f362] [acronym:1eac31f362="Malaysian Trumpet Snails or Multiple Tank Syndrome, depending on context"]MTS[/acronym:1eac31f362] [/center:1eac31f362] __________________

07-19-2004, 04:24 PM	#6
TankGirl Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2003 Location: Richmond VA Posts: 8,279 Images: 16	Your tank arrangement sounds about like mine - but I sure won't be the one to stop you! Congrats on the acaras - those are on my short list of desired fish. I never see them anymore at the [acronym:e84d83d3e0="Local Fish Store"]LFS[/acronym:e84d83d3e0]. Definitely post some pics for us! __________________ TG Central Virginians click here and join the Regional Forum! View My Gallery Here

07-19-2004, 03:14 PM	#4
QTOFFER Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Kew Gardens, NY Posts: 3,701 Images: 30	These poor fish endured an hour and fifteen minutes on the bus. When I got them home, they all looked identical - devoid of color except for a few stress bars. This morning, I was happy to see that they all regained their colors - so pics will be posted shortly. Another thing, for those keeping count - there IS another 10 [acronym:60bf96ae50="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:60bf96ae50] tank in my sig! I'm out of control and someone's got to stop me!!!! I now have a tank in every room of my 800 sq ft apartment for a total of 100 gallons. Livingroom: 58 [acronym:60bf96ae50="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:60bf96ae50] large cichlid tank and 10 [acronym:60bf96ae50="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:60bf96ae50] Q-tank Bedroon: 15 [acronym:60bf96ae50="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:60bf96ae50] betta tank Bathroom: 10 [acronym:60bf96ae50="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:60bf96ae50] - may be used for dwarf cichlids like apistos. Kitchen: 7 [acronym:60bf96ae50="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:60bf96ae50] bowfront - currently empty, but may be used for rasboras and dwarf frogs

07-19-2004, 05:41 PM	#8
krap101 Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Roscoe, IL Posts: 3,824 Images: 12	i saw a blue acara at petco... but i thought it looked like the jack demsky colors and the firemouth shape... dont know if it really was the acara because everything's labeled wrong these days __________________ Wizards first rule-People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true. Wizards second rule-The greatest harm can result from the best intentions. Wizards third rule-Passion rules reason. Wizards fourth rule-There is magic in forgiveness the magic to heal! In the forgiveness you grant, and more so in the forgiveness you receive. Wizards fifth rule-Mind what people do, not only what they say, for deeds will betray a lie. Wizards sixth rule-The only sovereign you can allow to rule you is reason. Wizards seventh rule-Life is the future, not the past Wizards eighth rule-Deserve victory. Wizards ninth rule-Contradictions don't exist, in whole or in part.

07-19-2004, 09:30 PM	#9
madasafish Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: NY, NY Posts: 2,260 Images: 73	Nice, man! I don't know why I don't see tons of awesome pics yet, though... __________________ [acronym:3ff24413a5="Malaysian Trumpet Snails or Multiple Tank Syndrome, depending on context"]MTS[/acronym:3ff24413a5] is a blessing, not a disease.

07-21-2004, 12:11 AM	#10
QTOFFER Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Kew Gardens, NY Posts: 3,701 Images: 30	Some pics! Keep in mind, these were taken in the quarrantine tank (lousy lighting, no decorations, no substrate, no background, etc) and the fish are still acclimating, so their colors are not quite 100% yet. The red jewel cichlids have colored up nicely since I got them. The blue acaras are starting to regain some of their color too. The firemouth has a very pale pink belly, but he kept hiding behind other fish - camera shy. Once these guys go into the big tank, I will take some serious pictures!

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