Andinoacara species inquiry (acaras and terrors)

[joel08]

Hello I need to clear up a big question I've had for a while regarding the Andinocara genus of fish species. I need to know more information about blue acaras, electric blue acaras and green terrors which all look very similar sometimes with their blue and green glittery shimmer and seen and heard of hybrid possibilities between all 3 of these popular selling lfs breeds.

The question concerns whether the 3 fish mentioned are actually the "same" base fish in particular electric blue and blue acaras, despite their name and colourisation patterns when put into a tank could they perform cross genetics and produce hybrid fish? I receive very mixed responses when I ask any fish stores BUT no one gives a definitive answer. I wanted a community tank of Andinocaras: whether blue acaras/electric blue acaras AND/OR Green Terrors (all 3).

Does anyone know if these 3 would co-exist as I have seen hybrids of all 3 pairs, e.g. youtube videos. I know aggression temperament always plays a part; but in the wild would they actually be seen mixing and mating together? In captivity we can enclose them in confined spaces to force breeding but I need to know if it would work? Google image search produce a wide array of some very interesting images of hybrids of these fish. I need more info and a more specialised answer that maybe some fish experts may care to shed light on please.

Appreciate any replies please.

 

[Floridapierce78]

Hello I need to clear up a big question I've had for a while regarding the Andinocara genus of fish species. I need to know more information about blue acaras, electric blue acaras and green terrors which all look very similar sometimes with their blue and green glittery shimmer and seen and heard of hybrid possibilities between all 3 of these popular selling lfs breeds.

The question concerns whether the 3 fish mentioned are actually the "same" base fish in particular electric blue and blue acaras, despite their name and colourisation patterns when put into a tank could they perform cross genetics and produce hybrid fish? I receive very mixed responses when I ask any fish stores BUT no one gives a definitive answer. I wanted a community tank of Andinocaras: whether blue acaras/electric blue acaras AND/OR Green Terrors (all 3).

Does anyone know if these 3 would co-exist as I have seen hybrids of all 3 pairs, e.g. youtube videos. I know aggression temperament always plays a part; but in the wild would they actually be seen mixing and mating together? In captivity we can enclose them in confined spaces to force breeding but I need to know if it would work? Google image search produce a wide array of some very interesting images of hybrids of these fish. I need more info and a more specialised answer that maybe some fish experts may care to shed light on please.

Appreciate any replies please.

Well, you got me. I will donsome research as well and see what I can come up with. I have a breeding pair of electric blue Acara's

 

[Wills]

Hi great question

Blue Acaras and Electric Blue Acaras are the same fish Andinoacara Pulcher. The Electric Blue is a morph that was line bred from a recessive gene, so quite natural but not typically found in the wild.

Blue Acaras and Green Terrors are separate species Blue Acaras are Andionacara Pulcher and Green Terrors is a name that covers a few species such as Andinoacara Rivulatus - the Gold Saum and the Silver Saum - Andinocara Stalsbergi.

All of these fish can hybridize pretty readily as they are quite closely related. Our own @Guyb93 has an EBA X GT hybrid that was bred in his tank as a pretty good example

Wills

 

[Colin_T]

Blue acaras and electric blue acaras are exactly the same species of fish (Andinoacara pulcher).

The green terror, also called a gold edge rivulatus (Andinoacara rivulatus) is much more aggressive than the blue acara.

There are hybrids and most of these are from a female green terror and a male blue acara. They do not naturally occur together and do not normally hybridise in the wild.

If you want a blue and electric blue acara together that is fine, but do not mix them with green terrors.

 

[joel08]

I was just wondering if the Green colour trait on Green terrors gives these the fish the more aggressive powerful gene you know for example the "Hulk" movie is about a "green" angry monster. The green makes the fish more genetically aggressive I believe and more Rio Verde native fish than the peaceful acaras. "Verde" meaning green has strong correlation with these green terror fishes. Wheras Blue naturally means more placid and tranquil and green can mean more "Hulk" like mannered.

Although the species is technically different I believe these cichlids are the same base fish, just slightly different genetic traits. Hybrids of all 3 could be make a "Super" race which I have yet to see and can only imagine what it looks like. I absolutely love these Andinoacara fish they are the most stunning in my opinion would love a tank of them to co-exist. But for now I wanted blue acara and electric blue acara to mix fine? Also maybe Green terrors is a super race that does not like the more peaceful acaras?

 

[joel08]

Blue acaras and electric blue acaras are exactly the same species of fish (Andinoacara pulcher).

The green terror, also called a gold edge rivulatus (Andinoacara rivulatus) is much more aggressive than the blue acara.

There are hybrids and most of these are from a female green terror and a male blue acara. They do not naturally occur together and do not normally hybridise in the wild.

If you want a blue and electric blue acara together that is fine, but do not mix them with green terrors.

Do blue and electric blue acaras have to be present in equal numbers in the aquarium?

For example can I have 5 blue acaras and only 2 electric blue acaras, will they be okay if they are the same fish?

 

[SomethingsFishy24]

EBA and standard BA will happily pair off together and produce fry, then it is simply a matter of what genetics the BA has that will determine the % of fry being either color.

There are a few species of cichlid that will hybridized, so if the goal is to breed, keeping species only tanks is best. Separating any odd couples would be recommended.

I have a male Stein. GEO who is obsessed with a Male EBA of mine, they have a pretty legit bromance.🤣

 

[Colin_T]

Do blue and electric blue acaras have to be present in equal numbers in the aquarium?

no, they are the same species of fish so you can have 1 blue and 10 electric blues or vice versa or any combination, assuming there is room for them.

 

[joel08]

If I have a group of acaras say 5 blue and 1 electric blue. Can I risk putting in 1 green terror of similar or smaller size in with them so they all around 2-3inch? I really love the green terror look and cannot live without at least 1 in my only aquarium. Its always on my mind and cannot rest without not thinking about a beautiful GT with them. Tank is about 5-6 foot many hiding spaces. Please let me know thanks.

 

[Wills]

I know that feeling well but mine is for a Nicaraguan Cichlid

With South American cichlids though, you need to build them with a community of other fish. In nature they all live in balance and when you get the right combo it makes for a great tank.

When you say the tank is 5-6 foot what are the actual dimensions and the volume of the tank? Do you know what your water hardness is too?

Wills