Care
Amongst the largest of the Smiling acaras, thayeri are generally found in natural habitats with little current and an abundance of decaying wood, submerged roots, leaf litter and in some areas, dense marginal vegetation. The water is often stained a tea colour from the tannins formed from decaying organic matter in the water.
The aquarium should be mature and at least 3ft long (preferably larger) with a soft sand substrate. Provide a plethora of hiding places amongst tangles of driftwood, rocky caves, and robust planting, including some floating species to help diffuse the light. Filtration should be efficient, but water movement fairly gentle, and frequent partial water changes should be carried out on a regular basis to keep nitrate at a minimum. When not breeding, these acaras are quite gregarious and can be kept in groups. However, as spawning approaches, pairs will form naturally, and they will become much more territorial if they intend to spawn. This should not cause too much of an issue in spacious aquaria. Tankmates should be peaceful and of small-medium size (large enough not to be eaten, yet small enough not to harass these peaceable cichlids). Ideal companions could include Corydoras catfish, hatchetfish, tetras, and suckermouth catfish. The presence of such 'dither fish' should help encourage these shy cichlids to venture out into the open a little more. As rare imports, these fish should be given softwater low in nitrates to remain in good health.
Feeding
Omnivorous and will accept most aquarium foods offered. Try to keep it varied with good quality flakes, granules, sinking pellets, and a mixture of frozen foods such as Daphnia, white mosquito larvae, bloodworm, vitamin/Spirulina-enriched brineshrimp, Mysis, and chopped krill/prawns.
Breeding
This bi-parental substrate spawner has been bred in the home aquarium. A typical spawning site will be a pre-cleaned flat piece of rock, wood or a broad leaf. When ready, the female will swim over the spawning site in a series of dry runs, after which she will begin depositing eggs in small batches. The male immediately follows behind her and fertilises them, and this is repeated until several hundred eggs are laid/fertilised. The female then guards the eggs whilst the male patrols the perimeter. The eggs should hatch within 3 days, and the wrigglers will be free-swimming just a few days later. At this point, the fry can be offered newly hatched baby brineshrimp (Artemia nauplii) and moved on to larger foodstuffs as they grow. It is not unusual for a young, inexperienced pair to eat their first batch of eggs; however, they should quickly get the hang of things on subsequent breeding attempts.
