Acarichthus geckelii

The Acarichthus geckelii is a good option if you want to give your aquarium a pop of color and personality. This fascinating fish, also known as the Geckel’s cichlid, is a great option for beginners and seasoned aquarium keepers alike. This fish, which is native to the Amazon Basin, stands out in any tank thanks to its vivid colors and interesting habits.

The Acarichthus geckelii adds distinctive qualities to your aquatic setup in addition to its attractive appearance. This fish can easily take center stage in your aquarium thanks to its eye-catching blue-and-green pattern and unique shape. As long as you take care of its basic needs, it’s also not too difficult to maintain. It grows best in a clean, well-stocked tank with lots of hiding places and a healthy diet.

The Geckel’s cichlid is stunning, but it also has a unique temperament. In comparison to other cichlid species, it is recognized for being relatively calm, though it does occasionally act assertively, particularly during mating. It is therefore an excellent mate for many other fish species. To create a lively and diverse community tank, the Acarichthus geckelii could be the ideal inclusion.

All things considered, anyone wishing to add a stunning and lively fish to their aquarium should definitely consider the Acarichthus geckelii. It can be the focal point of your tank for many years to come with proper care because of its vibrant colors and captivating personality.

With their vivid colors and eye-catching patterns, Acarichthus geckelii, popularly known as Geckel’s Cichlid, is a fascinating fish species that brings something special to any aquarium. This species, which is native to South America, does well in kept aquariums that replicate its natural surroundings. This post will go over the basic maintenance advice for Acarichthus geckelii, covering everything from tank design and water quality to feeding and social behavior, so you can provide these eye-catching fish with the ideal habitat.

Description

Acarichthus geckelia, like other fish in the genus Geophagus, has a body that is largely flattened on the sides and is relatively tall.

The dorsal fin’s posterior rays and the caudal fin’s outer rays are both elongated and reddish, the mouth is small, the eyes are set fairly far back, and the primary color is ochre. The dorsal fin’s first three or four rays are black, and a black or brown patch can be found beneath the first lateral line. Females are smaller than males, have paler colors, and have shorter unpaired fins. Paired fins are orange with a blue border.

Habitat

This plant is native to South America, primarily to Colombia, Peru, and some regions of Brazil in the northern Amazon basin. It lives along many rivers and streams that meander through tropical rain forests. It swims in areas of the Amazon forest that are flooded during the rainy season when the water level rises. It has currently been introduced to Southeast Asia, specifically the Singapore region, where it has flourished:

  • Feeds on any food
  • Water movement is weak or absent
  • Aquarium capacity from 130 liters.
  • Brackish water no
  • Work in pairs or groups
  • Temperature 24-30C
  • The temperature is relatively calm
  • The size of the fish is about 20 cm
  • Substrate type sand
  • Water hardness 1-12 dGH
  • Light reduction
  • pH value 6.07.0

Acarichthys Heckel can be kept in aquariums with small specimens, though it should be noted that in captivity, they are unable to grow larger than 15 cm in length. The aquarium should be at least 1.5 meters long, and it is preferable to keep the fish in a school of six. With proper care and feeding, the fish can survive up to ten years in the aquarium.

Water volume (in liters per 1 specimen) Temperature (°C) Acidity (pH) Hardness (dGH)
130 24-30 6-7 1-12

The aquarium needs specific water conditions, including filtration and aeration. It also needs to have its water changed at least partially with fresh water once a week and renewed once a week.

Once a week, the aquarium must be emptied of at least one-third and filled with fresh water. Because of the aquarium’s excessive departure from the ideal habitat, it is not appropriate for breeding. It is impossible to produce the perfect environment for this species. Acarichthys Heckelii is extremely susceptible to changes in water quality and hydrochemical conditions.

Acarichthys Heckelii can be kept in aquariums with gravel and coarse river sand as the substrate, where they spend most of their time digging for food. Furthermore, the tried-and-true synthetic substrate Floraton in granules.

Never fill an aquarium with pond sand—it may be contaminated and will destroy all aquatic life!

To give the aquarium a more natural appearance, add heavy driftwood and a variety of large stones. This is a fairly active fish, so the aquarium needs to hold at least 300 liters of water.

The ideal aquarium water temperature is between 24 and 30 degrees Celsius, the pH should be between 6.0 and 7.0, and the water hardness should be between 6 and 7 degrees GH.

The fish like to hide in the stone caverns you can add to the aquarium when they’re looking for cover and seclusion. The more grottoes, the better; otherwise, the fish, who adore all aquarium fish and not just Acarichthys Heckel, might fight over territory.

Furthermore, plants with unusually long stems can be excellent choices for aquariums. Nonetheless, experts should plant them in aquariums.

Common Name Geckel"s Cichlid
Scientific Name Acarichthus geckelii
Origin South America
Habitat Slow-moving rivers and streams
Size Up to 4 inches (10 cm)
Temperament Peaceful and shy
Tank Requirements Well-planted with hiding spots
Water Conditions Soft to moderately hard water, pH 6.0-7.5
Diet Omnivorous, eats flakes, live, and frozen foods
Tank Mates Small, peaceful fish

The Geckel’s Acara, or Acarichthus geckelii, is an interesting addition to any aquarium. For fish lovers, it’s a unique option because of its vivid colors and lively behavior. These fish can give your tank a hint of exotica thanks to their striking appearance and distinctive patterns.

Replicating Acarichthus geckelii’s natural habitat as closely as possible is crucial to proper care. They flourish in a well-kept tank with lots of hiding places and a harmonious ecosystem. Giving them a diverse diet will support their continued health and vitality. They are generally a good fit for community tanks due to their peaceful nature, though it’s advisable to keep an eye on how they interact with other species.

To sum up, aquarists who want to add beauty and intrigue to their aquarium should consider Acarichthus geckelii. These fish can thrive and brighten your aquatic setup with the correct care and surroundings. They are a rewarding addition to any tank because of their distinctive look and comparatively low maintenance needs.

Video on the topic

Acarichthys Heckelli (Albino Acarihthys heckelli)

Acarichthys Heckelii (Acarichthys heckelii)

Cichlid Acarichthys Heckelii in an aquarium

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Ivan Kononov

Experienced aquarist with an emphasis on breeding and keeping exotic aquarium fish. Author of many articles and books on the topic of aquarium keeping. Always in search of new species and interesting solutions for home aquariums. I believe that an aquarium is not only a home decoration, but also a means of studying nature and its laws.

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