SOUTH AMERICAN CICHLIDS.
Order Perciformes
Family Cichlidae
Subfamily ( Cichlasomatinae )
Genus Aequidens.
Genus Aequidens (Eigenmann & Bray, 1894). Prior to the 1986 revision, all acara species were classified under the genus Aequidens. However, currently, 5 other genera of acara can be found in our aquariums: • Bujurquina (Kullander, 1986); • Cleithracara (Kulander & Nijssen, 1989); • Guianacara (Kullander & Nijssen, 1989); • Krobia (Kullander & Nijssen, 1989); • Laetacara (Kulander, 1986). According to the revision, all mouthbrooding acara species have been placed into the separate genus Bujurquina. Previously, the species portalegrensis belonged to the genus Aequidens, but now it belongs to the genus Cichlasoma (thus changing the ending: C. portalegrense). The old common name “Acara” is still widely used among aquarists.
The head is large with a convex forehead. Eyes are large, lips thick. In males, the dorsal and anal fins are long and pointed at the tip, with the dorsal fin extending from the nape to the base of the tail. Males are generally more massive than females. Fish behavior is individual—some pairs are very aggressive and territorial, claiming the entire aquarium, while others are limited to a relatively small territory and live peacefully within it. Predatory fish, kept in pairs formed by 6-8 months of age. Among acaras, there are also aggressors: A. rivulatus and A. tetramerus. Additionally, these are some of the largest species, reaching 25-30 cm in length.
The aquarium is chosen depending on the size of the fish. The fish dig in the substrate and uproot plants, so the aquarium should feature plants with a powerful root system. Acaras need shelters suitable for their strong bodies. Aeration, filtration, and water changes are necessary. Predominantly carnivorous species. Fish should not be overfed, otherwise they become obese and develop dropsy, especially A. maroni and A. thayeri. Breeding pairs prepare the substrate and carefully tend to the eggs and fry. Lifespan is 8-15 years. dH 8-15°; pH 6.0-8.0; T 22-25°C.
— Aequidens diadema [Heckel, 1840]. Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, tributaries of the Orinoco River. 10-12 cm. The main color is silvery-gray, scales are large with dark edges on the upper body. A black horizontal line runs through the middle of the body, intersected by a vertical black stripe passing through the middle of the body to the dorsal fin. Orange tints are present on the back and head. The caudal fin is rounded. Males are brighter, larger than females, and have longer dorsal and anal fins. Outwardly similar to A. metae.
Non-aggressive schooling fish. Occupy the middle water layers. Territorial and aggressive during the spawning period, so it is advisable to transfer the pair to a separate tank. Keep in pairs. Can live with any peaceful fish except small ones. A spacious aquarium with plenty of hiding places, boulders, and driftwood is required to reduce aggression. They do not touch plants, so they can be used for aquarium decoration. Feed with live or frozen foods, high-quality flakes, or pellets. Eggs are laid on a flat stone, after which they are mouthbrooded. Lifespan is 10 years. pH 6.6-7.5; dH 8-20°; T 22-28°C.
— Aequidens metae [Eigenmann, 1922]. Synonym: Aequidens sensu stricto. (Common names: Twin Spot Flag Cichlid, Yellow Acara). Colombia, Meta River. 20 cm, in aquarium 10-15 cm. Iris is red or orange. Body is gray-blue, silvery-beige, rarely gray-green, with pearly sparkles and a black longitudinal stripe, which may look golden under certain lighting. An orange stripe runs above the eyes and across the forehead.
A dark brown longitudinal stripe sometimes runs from the rear edge of the eye to the base of the dorsal fin; more often, in its place in the middle of the body, there is a large black spot bordered in orange, which can turn into a vertical stripe depending on the fish’s mood. Another black spot, framed by a shiny orange rim, is located on the caudal peduncle. A similar orange spot is found at the base of the dorsal fin.
Gill covers are decorated with a glowing blue dash pattern and an elongated black spot in a shiny blue border. Scales are large with a dark rim. Unpaired fins range from orange to brown with blue sparkles. Males are larger and have more elongated dorsal and anal fins. At 1.5-2 months of age, fry can reach 5 cm in length, acquiring the typical coloration of adult fish, but significantly paler.
Non-aggressive, schooling fish. Character is relatively calm, especially at a young age. Can live with any peaceful fish of comparable size, except small ones. It is advisable to keep them in pairs. Fish prefer to stay in dense thickets. Occupy the middle and lower water layers. Plants are hardly touched, so the aquarium can be densely planted while leaving swimming areas.
Additional decoration elements: driftwood, flat stones, ceramic items. Substrate should be sand or fine gravel; the fish do not dig the substrate. Water must be very soft and acidic. Aeration, filtration, and water changes are mandatory. Diet: live foods, aquatic invertebrates, frozen and dry foods, small fish. When raising breeding pairs, overfeeding must be avoided: obese fish will not spawn.
They mature at 10-12 months at a length of 7-9 cm. Before spawning, the pair sometimes digs pits in the sand where they later transfer the larvae, and cleans the substrate (a stone or a wide plant leaf) from dirt, onto which the female then lays eggs. Breeders can care for the offspring up to a month of age and older. Lifespan is 15 years. dH 8-16°; pH 6.5-7.8; T 23-26°C.
Identification: Genus Aequidens — Aequidens diadema, metae.
Aequidens pallidus, Aequidens patricki, Aequidens tetramerus.
Ivanacara adoketa, Ivanacara bimaculata, Tahuantinsuyoa macantzatza. 
