Noob questions

[Artt]

I always worry about asking stupid questions on these forums full of experts but I have about a million of them, so I'm going to ask away and risk sounding stupid. Otherwise I will never learn. It also gives me a thread to come back to and ask stupid questions if I think of more. Which I can safely say will definitely happen.

I've been keeping some young blue acara, either andinoacara pulcer or andinoacar latifrons for about 6 weeks. They are around 2 inches long some a little bigger some smaller. They are not neons, electric or any such colour morphs. Most of the info I find online all refers to these colour morphs rather then the standard type. Hench my millions of questions.

I know when sexing them I'm meant to look at the fin shape and length but to me they honestly all look the same. Is anyone on here any good at sexing them by sight? And can someone confirm that what I'm raising is actually blue acara not some other type of cichlid? Or a hybrid?

I have a clear dominant one of the group, is it normal that during what seems to be territorial defense and asserting his/her dominance it darts at the driftwood and rocks like you might see them do at other fish.. nipping at it or rubbing itself on it?

Lastly (For now) how do I identify a pair?
They seem to flirt with the idea of it only to stop the next day and have the same pair not go near each other. It this just that they are too young yet?

 

[kno4te]

Gourami Swami

 

[Kittiee Katt]

I always worry about asking stupid questions on these forums full of experts

I can't help with your fish but may I offer some personal advice?
Its better to ask a stupid question than make a stupid mistake. I ask lots of stupid questions because I'd rather look like a fool than accidentally kill my fish.

 

[Artt]

I can't help with your fish but may I offer some personal advice?
Its better to ask a stupid question than make a stupid mistake. I ask lots of stupid questions because I'd rather look like a fool than accidentally kill my fish.

Thank you that makes me feel a bit better

 

[Artt]

Pictures of 4 the fish in question, The other 2 a camera shy or the tetras were photo bombing

 

[phreeflow]

Those are blue acaras...haven’t seen those in many years. Can’t remember how to sex them and I believe both male and female have pointed dorsal and anal fins but my guess would the be 2nd pic looks female. They’re still too small so just grow them out and they’ll pair off naturally.

 

[Artt]

Those are blue acaras...haven’t seen those in many years. Can’t remember how to sex them and I believe both male and female have pointed dorsal and anal fins but my guess would the be 2nd pic looks female. They’re still too small so just grow them out and they’ll pair off naturally.

Good to know I'm growing out the right fish at least
If the second picture turns out to be a she, that is the boss of the tank and last picture is her 2IC, follows her around everywhere. They play in the filter outflow together every day when the afternoon sun hits that part of the tank.

 

[phreeflow]

Good to know I'm growing out the right fish at least
If the second picture turns out to be a she, that is the boss of the tank and last picture is her 2IC, follows her around everywhere. They play in the filter outflow together every day when the afternoon sun hits that part of the tank.

Well, as I said, it was just a guess based on body shape, color, fins, and just a gut feeling but I’ve been wrong many times before. They are great fish...I used to enjoy owning them when I was a kid. Enjoy!

 

[Gourami Swami]

I always worry about asking stupid questions on these forums full of experts but I have about a million of them, so I'm going to ask away and risk sounding stupid. Otherwise I will never learn. It also gives me a thread to come back to and ask stupid questions if I think of more. Which I can safely say will definitely happen.

I've been keeping some young blue acara, either andinoacara pulcer or andinoacar latifrons for about 6 weeks. They are around 2 inches long some a little bigger some smaller. They are not neons, electric or any such colour morphs. Most of the info I find online all refers to these colour morphs rather then the standard type. Hench my millions of questions.

I know when sexing them I'm meant to look at the fin shape and length but to me they honestly all look the same. Is anyone on here any good at sexing them by sight? And can someone confirm that what I'm raising is actually blue acara not some other type of cichlid? Or a hybrid?

I have a clear dominant one of the group, is it normal that during what seems to be territorial defense and asserting his/her dominance it darts at the driftwood and rocks like you might see them do at other fish.. nipping at it or rubbing itself on it?

Lastly (For now) how do I identify a pair?
They seem to flirt with the idea of it only to stop the next day and have the same pair not go near each other. It this just that they are too young yet?

They do look like blue acara to me. Can be difficult to sex as not very dimorphic, can't claim to be an expert n blue acaras myself, but I bet you will know soon enough, because they will pair up and start breeding. Just keep water parameters within acceptable ranges. It is common to have a dominant fish (usually male) in the group, I bet that before too long he finds a female, and it will be easy to tell they are a pair.

 

[Artt]

They do look like blue acara to me. Can be difficult to sex as not very dimorphic, can't claim to be an expert n blue acaras myself, but I bet you will know soon enough, because they will pair up and start breeding. Just keep water parameters within acceptable ranges. It is common to have a dominant fish (usually male) in the group, I bet that before too long he finds a female, and it will be easy to tell they are a pair.

Fish keeping is definitely more about keeping water, and I've got that bit down.

You mentioned in another post I made cory's would make good tank mates....any recommendations on which ones?

I'm thinking I might just end up doing a Cory, acara and tetra tank since my tetra are already working on spawning.