acara

[ASHMAN]

hi guys

this a pic of my blue acara. some say its a green terror. i have not settled the debate in my mind as yet lol.11581

[Reedfish]

Apparently a lot of the Blue Acaras are hybrids with Green Terrors. These crosses are supposed to grow faster than the true species.

[SalmonAfrica]

The blue acara and green terror are different species within the same genus - Aequidens (this may have been revised). The former is more peaceful than the latter, and is from a different distribution. However, Reedfish you're right, some crosses do occur and pop up in the trade.

How large is your fish? Green terrors generally get larger than acaras (as Reedfish mentioned, hybrids get bigger, by what is known as hybrid vigour).

Off the bat, I'd say it's a green terror, by the simple guideline that green terrors bear the yellowish edging to the dorsal and caudal (tail) fin, whereas acaras only have this on their dorsal fin. This is a rough guide though, as there can be some variation in the species.

Regards

[ASHMAN]

the fish is +- 7cm and is 4 months old now. btw, does that look like female to you? i know in males, the dorsal fin is pointed.

[SalmonAfrica]

Females are usually, for want of a better description, 'slightly shorter and rounder' with rounded fins. Males get a bump on their head with a pointed dorsal.

I'd rather give it more time to grow before getting a definite gender on it, but it does look like a female, yes.

[ASHMAN]

thanks SalmonAfrica. much appreciated. i just love this fish. its my favorite from all that i have.

[Reedfish]

My lfs had some Blue Acaras a few weeks ago. The sales person knows that I like my unusual fish and he pointed them out to me. They were pure bred apparently - wilds. A bit short of tank space, otherwise I would have bought a pair.

[ASHMAN]

they are beautiful hey !

[Reedfish]

I stopped at the lfs on my way home from work today. And the wild acaras they have look very different to this. Left my phone in the car, so wasn't able to take a photo.
But I think, that this fish has some Green Terror in it.

[Reedfish]

I was at my lfs this morning.
Here is a photo of a wc fish.

11749

[ASHMAN]

thanks @ reefish. that is a fantastic looking fish!

[Reedfish]

thanks @ reefish. that is a fantastic looking fish!

I was very tempted to get a pair. But my tank is already overstocked as it is.