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Redbreast Acara
Laetacara dorsigera
📍 South America
The Redbreast Acara is a small, colorful South American cichlid prized for its peaceful temperament and striking red coloration on the breast and gill covers. This hardy fish is ideal for beginner to intermediate aquarists and displays interesting behavioral patterns including substrate sifting and pair bonding. They are excellent community fish that add vibrant color and personality to planted or decorated aquariums.
Care Guide
Diet
Feed small high-quality pellets as a staple, supplemented 2-3 times weekly with live or frozen foods such as bloodworms, brine shrimp, and daphnia. Offer varied diet to enhance coloration and maintain health. Feed small portions once or twice daily, only what can be consumed in 2-3 minutes.
Behavior
Redbreast Acaras are active bottom dwellers that enjoy sifting through substrate in search of food, which helps aerate the tank. They are generally peaceful but may show mild territorial behavior during breeding season. These fish are curious and interactive, often recognizing their owners and displaying playful behavior.
Breeding
Breeding is moderately easy in well-established tanks with proper conditions. Pairs form strong bonds and will guard eggs and fry aggressively. Provide caves or PVC pipes as spawning sites, maintain slightly acidic water (pH 6.0-6.5), and reduce water temperature slightly to trigger spawning. Remove fry to a separate rearing tank after free-swimming stage.
Tank Mates
Small tetras are generally safe but may be viewed as food if very small
Bottom dwellers that share similar water parameters and peaceful nature
Similar size and peaceful temperament make them compatible tank mates
Schooling fish that occupy mid-water zone and are peaceful
Algae eaters that are peaceful and occupy different ecological niche
Similar-sized dwarf cichlid with comparable peaceful temperament
Common Diseases
Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)
White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, lethargy, rubbing against objects
Increase water temperature to 28-30°C (82-86°F), perform daily 25% water changes, use aquarium salt or ich medication as directed; maintain treatment for 10-14 days
Fin Rot
Frayed or deteriorating fins, discoloration at fin edges, lethargy
Improve water quality with frequent water changes, remove any sharp decorations, treat with antibacterial medication if severe; ensure good filtration and stable parameters
Bloat (Malawi Bloat)
Swollen abdomen, loss of appetite, difficulty swimming, pale coloration
Perform large water change, fast fish for 2-3 days, feed high-quality varied diet with vegetable matter; treat with antibiotics if bacterial infection suspected
Velvet Disease (Oodinium)
Fine golden or rust-colored dust on body, rapid breathing, scratching behavior, clamped fins
Increase temperature to 28-30°C (82-86°F), reduce lighting, perform daily water changes, use copper-free velvet medication; quarantine affected fish if possible
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Quick Facts
- diet
- Omnivore - small pellets, flakes, and live/frozen foods like bloodworms and brine shrimp
- lifespan
- 5-8 years
- max size
- 6.5 cm (2.5 in)
- tank size
- 20 gallons minimum
- temperament
- peaceful
Water it likes
- ph
- 6.0-7.0
- ammonia
- 0 ppm
- nitrate
- <20 ppm
- hardness
- 4-8 dGH
- temperature
- 75–82°F (24–28°C)