Andinoacara pulcher (Gill 1858)
Other Names: Blue Acara
Summary:
See 'More Info' tab
Cite this page as:
Martin F. Gomon, Andinoacara pulcher in Fishes of Australia, accessed 26 Apr 2024, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/205
Andinoacara pulcher (Gill 1858)
More Info
Distribution |
Introduced from the West Indies via the aquarium trade to creeks in Brisbane and the Leslie Dam, southeast Queensland, and the Hazelwood power station cooling ponds, Morwell, Victoria. Until the March 2017 closure of the Hazelwood Power Station, a self-sustaining population occurred in the warm-water effluent pondage. |
Features |
Dorsal fin XIV, 10; Anal fin III,8; Pectoral fin 14; Lateral-line scales 23-25. Body deep, egg-shaped, strongly compressed; single nostril on each side of snout; lateral line interrupted Scales ctenoid, medium to large in size. Single dorsal fin, anterior portion spinous, posterior portion soft-rayed; caudal fin rounded |
Size |
To 20cm SL, commonly to 11cm. |
Colour |
Olive to yellow-green; underside silvery grey to bluish; sides with 8 ill-defined transverse bands and numerous narrow horizontal stripes, stripes separated by longitudinal rows of grass-green or brass-coloured scales; deep black blotch under eye and second near middle of body; vertical black stripe on caudal peduncle; many bright green wavy lines on head with spots of similar color on sides. Dorsal and caudal fins clay-coloured with dark spots. Ventral and anal fins somewhat blue-green, with delicate spotting. |
Feeding |
Omnivorous, feeding mainly on worms, crustaceans and insects. |
Biology |
Oviparous demersal spawners laying up to around 500 eggs. Parents care for eggs and larvae. Larvae hatch after around 2 days. |
Remarks |
Also widely known in the aquarium industy as Aequidens pulcher. |
Species Citation |
Cychlasoma pulchrum Gill, T.N. (1858). Synopsis of the fresh water fishes of the western portion of the island of Trinidad, W. I. Ann. Lyc. Nat. Hist. N.Y. 6(10–13): 363–430 [382]. Trinidad Is., West Indies. |
Author |
Martin F. Gomon |
Resources |
Andinoacara pulcher (Gill 1858)
References
Kenny, J.S. (1995) Views from the bridge: a memoir on the freshwater fishes of Trinidad. Julian S. Kenny, Maracas, St. Joseph, Trinidad and Tobago. 98 p.
Mills, D. and G. Vevers (1989) The Tetra encyclopedia of freshwater tropical aquarium fishes. Tetra Press, New Jersey. 208 p.
http://www.asfb.org.au/research/exotic/escr200105.htm
http://aquaworld.netfirms.com/Cichlidae/Aequidens/Aequidens_pulcher.htm
Quick Facts
CAAB Code:37371006
Fishing:aquarium fish
Habitat:freshwater
Max Size:20 cm SL
Native:introduced
Species Maps
CAAB distribution map