Blue acara (lat. Aequidens pulcher) for long period of time was one of the most popular South America cichlid fishes kept in a tank for many generations of aquarists. There is a good reason that its name (pulcher) from Latin – means beautiful.
Blue acara is often mistaken for another related species – Andinoacara rivulatus (Green terror cichlid). But these fishes differ sufficiently.

Green terror cichlid is larger and in the wild its max size can be 25-30 cm (10-12 in) when Aequidens pulcher is just about 20 cm (8 in) long. Green terror male when it becomes reproductive develops a pronounced hump on its head, while blue acara hump is less pronounced.
This cichlid is a great fish for the aquarists willing to have their first cichlid in a tank.
Care is rather easy – it’s necessary just to control water parameters and give the fish qualitative feed. Blue acaras are good and caring parents and they spawn easy enough.