Care Level: Easy

Temperament: Peaceful

Live Plant Safe: Yes

General Description: The Purple Smiler Dwarf Acara, also known as the Araguaia Dwarf Acara, can be found in slow-moving tributary waters of the lower Amazon Basin in Brazil. Their species epithet, araguaia, comes from the Rio Araguaia where the first specimen was described. Male Purple smiler dwarf acara tend to be slightly larger, more colorful, and will develop pointed fins compared to females however these differences can be subtle. Furthermore, the majority of individuals for sale have yet to reach sexually maturity, making sexing even more challenging. Given their distribution, there is considerable variation in color and patterning among wild Purple smiler dwarf acara. Generally speaking, a Purple smiler dwarf acara has a pale body decorated in yellow and blueish-purple speckles. Unless a pair of Purple smiler dwarf acara are breeding, they are a rather peaceful cichlid. Purple smiler dwarf acara can be kept by themselves or in small groups, but adding all individuals at once is advised for the best chance of success. An adult Purple smiler dwarf acara can reach a size of approximately 2-1/2″ making them a very manageable and versatile cichlid.

Diet Requirements: In the wild Purple smiler dwarf acara are omnivores. A diet made up of various high quality protein and vegetable based flake foods and sinking pellet foods (with bug protein) are ideal, in addition to offering frozen foods such as bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia, and other mixed freshwater preparations. Variety is the spice of life in order to maintain color, immune function and longevity of your fish.

Care Requirements: An established minimum 30 gallon aquarium is ideal for a small group of Purple smiler dwarf acara. A good biological filtration system is need for this species as they do not fair well in deteriorating water parameters. Purple smiler dwarf acara are also intolerable of nitrite or ammonia spikes, thus they should not be introduced into a cycling aquarium. Weekly water changes are encouraged to keep water parameters up to standard for Purple smiler dwarf acaras (Nitrates < 30 ppm). A darker sandy or fine substrate is preferred, and the aquarium should be aquascaped mostly with driftwood, caves, and live plants to mimic their natural habitat. Water flow should be average; certainly not too rigorous. Purple smiler dwarf acara are compatible with a variety of medium-sized community fish, so long as tank mates thrive in similar tank conditions and water parameters (soft to neutral). Do not mix acaras with overly aggressive or pugnacious Central or South American species. Recommended water conditions, 76-82° F, KH 0-12, pH 5.5-7.0.

Purchase Size: Medium: 1-3/4” to 2”

Note: Your item may not look identical to the image provided due to variation within species. Purchase sizes are approximate.