10 Tank Mates for Electric Blue Acaras (With Pictures)
Updated on
Click to Skip Ahead
The Electric Blue Acara is one of the most beautiful tropical fish in the aquarium hobby. They have an attractive coloration with an iridescent sheen. They are medium in size and should be kept in male-to-female pairs. They are generally peaceful and make great fish for other large community fish.
Electric blue acaras are friendly and enjoy swimming through the current in a large tank. They can be housed with so many different species of fish, but their gentle temperament makes them susceptible to being bullied. Choosing the correct tank mates for your Electric Blue Acara is essential because some boisterous tank mates can cause them to jump out of the tank if they are being chased by a territorial fish that is bullying them.
This article will inform you of everything you need to know about suitable Electric Acara tank mates!
The 10 Tank Mates for Electric Blue Acaras
1. Discus (Symphysodon)
| Size | 5–7 inches |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Minimum tank size | 55 gallons |
| Care Level | Difficult |
| Temperament | Timid |
Discuses are one of the most colorful fish in the hobby. They come in a variety of colors and patterns that look striking when paired with the Electric blue acara. Pairing the two species together can create an interesting and attractive community tank that is full of color. When contrasted against a dark background and lush green plants, this pairing will create a colorful centerpiece in the tank. Discuses are community fish that should be kept in groups, and they rarely bother other fish in the same tank.
Related Read: 10 Best Tank Mates for Discus Fish
2. Oscars (Astronotus ocellatus)
| Size | 12–18 inches |
| Diet | Carnivore |
| Minimum tank size | 75 gallons |
| Care Level | Difficult |
| Temperament | Aggressive |
Oscars are notorious for being aggressive, but they can be housed with adult Electric Blue Acara. If you plan to keep these two fish together, you need to monitor the behaviors in the tank so you can quickly notice if any fighting is occurring. Generally, Oscars can get along well with Electric Blue Acaras, and they can cohabit peacefully if the tank is large enough.
3. Bristlenose pleco (Ancistrus Cirrhosus)
| Size | 3–5 inches |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Minimum tank size | 20 gallons |
| Care Level | Easy |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
Bristlenose Plecos are the smaller version of the popular common pleco. They grow much smaller and can therefore be kept in smaller tanks. They hang out around the bottom of the aquarium and are peaceful. They make the perfect tank mates for a community of Electric Blue Acara. They are easy to care for and generally mind their business. They spend most of their time sucking at surfaces in the tank and cleaning up excess algae.
4. Silver Dollar (Metynnis argenteus)
| Size | 6 inches |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Minimum tank size | 55 gallons |
| Care Level | Easy |
| Temperament | Peaceful & shy |
Silver Dollars are large shoaling fish that are incredibly peaceful. They enjoy swimming in gentle waters and can become shy if they are not kept in appropriately sized groups. Like the Electric Blue Acara, Silver Dollars have an iridescent sheen across their silver body. They get along well with many species of fish and do not actively cause trouble in community tanks.
5. Cory Catfish (Corydoras)
| Size | 4–5 inches |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Minimum tank size | 20 gallons |
| Care Level | Easy |
| Temperament | Playful |
Cory Catfish are shoaling fish that act like bottom cleaners. They spend their time foraging in the substrate for morsels of leftover food. They should be kept in groups of 6 or more and come in plenty of different colors like an albino. They are playful and enjoy interacting with each other and their tank mates. They rarely cause issues in a community tank and do well with Electric Blue Acara.
6. Rainbowfish (Melanotaeniida)
| Size | 3–6 inches |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Minimum tank size | 30 gallons |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
Rainbowfish are colorful and look attractive when kept with Electric Blue Acara. They are peaceful and gentle tank mates that do not try to bother Electric blue acaras. They eat the same foods and have the same care level. Rainbowfish should be kept in small groups to avoid aggressive behaviors amongst themselves.
7. Moga Cichlid (Hypsophrys nicaraguensis)
| Size | 8–10 inches |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Minimum tank size | 40 gallons |
| Care Level | Difficult |
| Temperament | Semi-aggressive |
The Moga Cichlid is another strikingly colorful tank mate that can cohabitate with Electric Blue Acara. They are also iridescent and have a mixture of colors. They can cause a bit of trouble in a community tank due to their quirky behaviors, however, this is not typically a big issue, and if the tank is large enough then they keep to themselves.
8. Angelfish (Pterophyllum)
| Size | 6 inches |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Minimum tank size | 40 gallons |
| Care Level | Difficult |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
Angelfish are very peaceful shoaling fish that get along well with Electric Blue Acara. Angels have a unique look when compared to other types of fish, so they add a different look to a community tank. Angelfish require a heavily planted tank that the Electric Blue Acara appreciates as well. Angels are a lot more sensitive to temperature and water quality than the Electric Blue Acara is.
9. Giant Danios (Devario aequipinnatus)
| Size | 4–6 inches |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Minimum tank size | 30 gallons |
| Care Level | Easy |
| Temperament | Playful |
If you love the color of a small danio fish but are worried about keeping them with Electric Blue Acara because they will likely be eaten, then the Giant Danio is the next best option. They are colorful shoaling fish that should be kept in groups of 8 or more. They are like the original danio and have the same care requirements. They are playful and may pick on Electric Blue Acara at times. However, the picking on will only consist of chasing and not physical injuries or fighting.
10. Gourami (Osphronemidae)
| Size | 10–12 inches |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Minimum tank size | 40 gallons |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
Gouramis are an all-time favorite for community tanks. They are colorful and peaceful which allows them to be housed with many different species of fish, which includes the Electric Blue Acara. They do not fight or attempt to bother their tank mates and can sometimes be so shy that they hide away amongst plants.
What Makes a Good Tank Mate for Electric Blue Acara?
One of the best tank mates for Electric Blue Acara is the Bristlenose Pleco. They will rarely interact and can be kept together in a smaller tank than if you were to keep them with other free-swimming fish. They are peaceful and mind their business at the bottom of the aquarium. Electric Blue Acaras will rarely notice the Bristlenose Pleco in the tank which makes them the top-rated tank mate for Electric Blue Acara of every size.
Where Do Electric Blue Acara Prefer to Live in the Aquarium?
Electric Blue Acaras inhabit the top or mid-level of the aquarium. They prefer to hang out with each other and can form a lifelong bond with their mate. They will rarely go to the bottom of the tank unless they see that food has accumulated in the substrate. They do well in fast-moving currents and will swim against it most of the day and rest near plants and other decorations during the evening and night.
Water Parameters
Electric Blue Acara requires a strong filter because they have a large bioload. They are tropical fish and always need a heater. This is a general guideline on what levels to keep each water parameter between:
| pH | neutral between 6 to 7.5 |
| Temperature | tropical conditions with a temperature between 75°F to 82°F |
| Hardness | 6–20 dH |
| Ammonia | 0ppm |
| Nitrite | 0ppm |
| Nitrate | 5–20ppm |
Size
Electric Blue Acara and medium-length fish typically reach 6 to 7 inches. They should have a tank that is a minimum size of 40 gallons for a pair. They should not be kept alone, and it is better to keep them with a member of the opposite gender. The females get slightly larger than the males and have short fins. It is not uncommon for pet stores to sell them at their adult size of 6 inches, and you will rarely find young Electric blue acaras.
Aggressive Behaviors
Electric Blue Acaras are not aggressive in the slightest. They are peaceful, yet they can be playful and sometimes chase other fish as a source of amusement. This can be combatted by providing them with an enriching tank setup. They are more susceptible to being harassed by other aggressive fish.
The 2 Benefits of Having Tank Mates for Electric Blue Acara in Your Aquarium
1. Coloful Community Tank
Tankmates add more color to the aquarium and can create an appealing colorful community tank. Electric Blue Acaras enjoy having tank mates and this can cause them to feel less stressed which leads to them staying healthy and happy.
2. Interaction
- Electric Blue Acara can get enrichment and stimulation from interacting with their tank mates.
Do’s and Don’ts When Choosing Tank Mates for Electric Blue Acara
- Provide your fish with a large tank. If the minimum size for Electric Blue Acaras is 40 gallons, then you should add the minimum sized tank for that specific tank mate if your want to keep them together. For example, if you want to keep a pair of Electric Blue Acara with a Bristlenose Pleco, then the minimum tank size should be 60 gallons.
- Always choose tank mates that are large because Electric Blue Acaras may eat them if the fish can fit into their mouth.
- Create a heavily planted tank so that each fish has a place to hide if they are feeling shy.
- Make sure to provide each tank mate with their appropriate shoal size to mimic aggression within the group.
- Do not keep Electric Blue Acara with African Blood-parrot Cichlids, these fish are notorious for chasing acaras out of the tank.
- Do not house aggressive fish with Electric Blue Acaras because they are at risk of being attacked and severely injured.
- Do not keep the tank open, rather use a sturdy aquarium lid over the tank to avoid the Blue Acaras from jumping out.
Conclusion
Electric Blue Acara makes great tank mates for the right fish. They are generally unproblematic and enjoy interacting with different species of fish. Not only is it beneficial for the blue acara to have tank mates, but it adds color and appeal for you too.
We hope this article has helped you decide on a good tank mate for your pair or group of stunning Electric Blue Acara fish!
See Also: 10 Best Tank Mates for Giant Danio Fish
Featured Image Credit: Piqsels
