Acarichthys heckelii: A 'WOW' Fish if I Ever Saw One!

[notho2000]

If you are into SA cichlids of the larger variety, then this species is a "must have" ...the incredible Acarichthys heckelii or Threadfin Acara. For sheer beauty and delicate elegance, it is unsurpassed by few other cichlids. I presently am raising six, and these are about a year old, and about 6" TL. They are very compatible with Geophagus / Satanoperca and I presently have them housed with nine Geophagus winemilleri. I want to share a few images of this impressive "jewel" of a species.

 

[bbortko]

Looking great. My 2 have been bickering and don't have their filaments right now, hopefully they hash it out soon so they start to regrow.

 

[boxerlover]

I have 5 in my 125, had them for about 3 mons, probably 4 in. Ready for them to get their filaments!!! Hope mine look as good as yours someday.
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[Aquanero]

Beautiful fish always reminded me of Rams on roids..........

 

[cichlidfish]

They are amazing. Great pics!


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

 

[petspoiler]

Ah yes, a top favorite of mine. I notice they seem to more directly reflect excellent water conditions than almost any other fish. Yours are looking very very nice.

 

[Empyreal]

I had three that got to 6inches, but never grew the long threads, is there is a reason for this

 

[fwprawn]

Gorgeous fish - what DON'T you have? Your fish room must be thousands of square feet ! I'd love to read a thread about your fish story sometime.

 

[amir1305]

Beautiful fish.

 

[duanes]

Mine went into spawning mode a couple months ago, digging pits, and in the process started killing each other. I started with 5, three years ago, in the last 3 months, down to one.

I had always heard a very large tank is needed once spawning begins, seems my 6ft 150 gal is not adequate. The aggression is very subtle, hardly noticeable unless I watch very slowly. Starts with just a scale or 2 missing on the head, then within a day or 2, I would find a corpse. I figured best case scenario, might be 3 dead, and I'd end up with a pair, had a pair going, little more digging, now down to one.
Think it will end up at next months fish auction.