Nannacara neon

Aquarium enthusiasts now often choose the captivating freshwater fish known as nannacara neon. These little fish, who are well-known for their vivid hues and calm disposition, can liven up any house aquarium. They belong to the cichlid family, which is prized for having so many beautiful species. Nannacara neon is truly eye-catching due to its vivid blue and green colors that stand out.

These fish are a fantastic choice for both novice and seasoned aquarists because they require little maintenance. They do best in clean, well-kept aquariums with consistent water temperatures. A habitat that resembles their natural surroundings, with lots of hiding places made by plants, rocks, and driftwood, is what Nannacara neon prefers. Their best colors are brought out and they feel more secure in this setup.

Since Nannacara neonatals are indifferent eaters, feeding them is simple. They will stay healthy and happy on a diet of premium flakes, pellets, and occasionally frozen or live food. For any aquarium owner, watching these little fish swim elegantly through the water and engage with their surroundings can be a very fulfilling experience.

Origin

The medium-sized South American cichlid hybrid known as neon nannacara, or nannacara electric blue (English: Electric Blue Acara), is a hybrid.

It’s hard to say how this fish came to be and which cichlids were used for hybridization. In 2012, this species was introduced to the market. One of the most likely explanations states that Southeast Asian nations served as the supplier. The well-known trihybrid parrot was once the product of the unimaginable experiments conducted by Asian breeders on South American cichlids.

According to certain sources, this fish was imported from the wild; however, neon nannacars have never been discovered in South American waters.

The name of the fish is as enigmatic and contradictory as its origins. According to some aquarists, the neon nannacara is most likely closely related to the blue-spotted acara (lat. Andinoacara pulcher) and has nothing to do with other nannacaras.

One explanation states that the male Microgeophagus ramirezi microgeophagus eggs of the electric blue color variation (lat. Mikrogeophagus ramirezi var. Electric Blue) fertilized the eggs of the blue-spotted acara to produce the electric blue nannacar. Given the close genetic relationship between these species, producing fertile offspring is a real possibility.

It is true that crossing a neon nannacar with a blue-spotted acara will result in blue-spotted acaras that are regular in color but also carry a 100% recessive gene for neon blue color. Because you can again produce an electric blue nannacar by crossing fish with a recessive gene for neon color, you can thereby "dilute the blood," preserving the genetic health of the population.

Furthermore. These fish are known as acars abroad, and this is a more accurate name than nannakara.

Electric Blue is a color variation of Microgeophagus ramirezi.

Appearance

But when you look at this incredible fish, all doubts and mysteries about its origins vanish from view.

The vivid turquoise-blue hue of the neon acara shines in the reflected light. Scales create a thin, olive-colored mesh pattern on the fish’s body. The acara’s forehead is colored in the same greenish-olive hue. The fins have neon lines and spots and are transparent. The dorsal fin has an orange collar running along it.

This fish is a self-assured medium size; females reach up to 10 cm, while males reach up to 12 cm. Therefore, while the neon blue acara is not as big as the majority of American cichlids, it is also not as tiny as microgeophagus, its likely ancestor, which reaches a maximum size of only 4 cm.

The fish stays in the middle and lower layers, almost never hiding, and prefers to be in the forefront, peering curiously behind the glass to observe the outside world while pleading with its owner for food.

Beginner aquarists can consider the neon acara because it is a robust, energetic, and resilient fish. All that the owner needs to do is set up the prerequisites, which are easy to maintain nonetheless:

• First of all, you need to provide the fish with the necessary living space. American cichlids require enough space, as they are territorial and produce quite a lot of waste. For a pair of neon blue acaras, you will need an aquarium of at least 100 liters. If you plan to keep a group or neighbor other fish, the capacity should be larger accordingly.
• As a substrate, it is better to choose river sand or fine gravel.
• As decorations, you can place various snags and grottoes. They will create shaded areas and serve as shelter. These fish look good in a recreated South American biotope.
• The popularity of the Electric Blue acar is due not only to its beautiful coloring, but also to its good temperament. These fish are decent inhabitants, not touching vegetation and not digging up the soil.
• Lighting for neon blue acaras does not play a big role, but it is necessary to create both well-lit and shaded areas in the aquarium.

Suggested water parameters:

• temperature: 23-26 °C;
• acidity: 6.5-8.0 pH;
• hardness: 6-15 °dH;
• filtration and aeration are required;
• weekly substitutions should be massive, at least 35-40% of the total volume.

Feeding

The electric blue acara fish is an omnivore that consumes a wide variety of foods, including frozen, live, and dry.

You can serve it as a treat by:

• pieces of shrimp;
• fillet of sea fish;
• squid and mussel meat.

Remember to give your pets occasional amounts of cucumber, zucchini, carrots, scalded lettuce, cabbage, and spinach leaves as vegetable supplements. Fresh apples are a good source of vitamin C, so including them in the diet occasionally is beneficial.

Neonate acaras have a tendency to overeat, just like other cichlids, so adult fish need to fast once a week to avoid obesity.

Breeding

Despite being a hybrid, the electric blue acara is incredibly easy to breed in captivity and is quite fertile.

The electric blue can mate with any blue-spotted acara present in the aquarium, and offspring will be born as a result of this union.

Adult fish are generally easy to identify by sex:

• males are more massive and larger, have elongated dorsal and anal fins;
• females are more graceful and have smaller sizes.

Seven months is the age of sexual maturity.

Fish can be aggressive toward other residents during spawning, sometimes frightening even large fish. Due to this, it is preferable to zone out the area in the shared aquarium or provide a spawning pair with separate housing whenever feasible. Issues are particularly serious in small quantities. Raising a big brood in a shared aquarium is extremely uncommon, though.

Abundant feeding, a few degree temperature increase, and frequent large water changes can all encourage spawning.

Smooth, flat stones are used by acaras as a substrate for spawning. After the fish have cleaned them out, the mating dances begin. The fish encircle the stone, kiss one another, and the male flutters his fins. After a lengthy period of courtship, the female lays 150–250 yellowish eggs in rows.

Using their fins, both parents care for the clutch, eating the whitened eggs and fanning the eggs. After two to three days of incubation, the fry start to swim a week later. Adult fish starter food consists of finely ground flakes, cyclops, and brine shrimp nauplii.

You can try removing the children from their parents in an attempt to increase the number of offspring that survive. Use the hose as a siphon to suction fry in order to accomplish this. They can be housed in a hatchery that is attached to the main aquarium or in a rearing aquarium.

They frequently consume the first clutch of young fish. This is typical, and follow-up attempts usually result in success. In ideal circumstances, the time between spawnings can be two weeks if the eggs are removed.

Aquarium enthusiasts searching for a calm and vibrant fish will find that nannacara neon is a great option. Its vivid green and blue hues can infuse any aquarium setting with energy. This species is good for both novice and expert fish keepers because it is not only aesthetically pleasing but also reasonably easy to care for.

Nannacara neon’s health and happiness are largely dependent on maintaining good water quality and creating a suitable tank environment. Their natural habitat, which includes plenty of hiding places and well-planted tanks, is what makes them thrive. A secure and cozy habitat for these fish is ensured by routine water changes and parameter monitoring.

For Nannacara neons to be healthy, a balanced diet is crucial. They take pleasure in a variety of premium flakes, pellets, and frozen foods. Their vibrant colors and general health can be preserved with a varied diet.

All things considered, Nannacara neon is a lovely and enthralling addition to any aquarium. These fish can flourish and enhance the beauty of your aquatic environment with the correct care and attention. They are a wonderful option for anyone wishing to improve their aquarium experience because of their kind disposition and gorgeous appearance.

With its vivid blue color and serene disposition, the nannacara neon, also called the Neon Blue Acara, is a well-liked freshwater fish among aquarium enthusiasts. These hardy, little fish require little maintenance, which makes them perfect for both novice and seasoned aquarium keepers. They grow best in well-kept tanks with lots of hiding places and a gentle water flow. Because nannacara neons get along well with other calm fish species, they can live happily in community aquariums where they can show off their beauty and add to the vibrancy of the water.

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