Care
At home in habitats such as flowing creeks and main river channels to seasonal flood plains, this acara typically occupies clearwater habitats rich in oxygen, that provide dense cover and more open areas for foraging. Their generalised body plan enables them to hunt a range of invertebrates and larger fishes will spend more time in the open than the more timid youngsters, which are often found amongst marginal vegetation in the company of tetras and dwarf cichlids. This is why youngsters were occasionally seen as odd fish in batches of tetras.
Their aquarium should be biologically mature and spacious, with efficient filtration that provides moderate levels of water movement. Provide plenty of hiding places and break sightlines amongst tangles of driftwood, rocky caves, and robust planting. Frequent partial water changes will help keep nitrate to a minimum, particularly important as this species is sensitive to deteriorating water conditions. A moderately aggressive cichlid, outside of spawning they are fairly easy going and make good choices for communities of larger cichlids such as Severum and Chocolate cichlids alongside large tetras and Silver dollars, which will make the wary cichlids more relaxed. Wild fish are found in loose aggregations when not breeding, and keeping a small group will generally keep them busy with one another, as well as allowing them to select their own partner at spawning time, which makes for far more compatible pairs. This requires an aquarium large enough to provide respite from the territorial aggression of spawning pairs.
The Peruvian 'Jennaro herrera' is significantly different and may turn out to be a different species, along with a few forms that are currently thought to be diadema. This echoes the situation with many species such as Festive cichlids (Mesonauta spp.) which turn out to be a complex of similar species. As a consequence, it's wise to keep Royal acaras from different sources/locations separately to avoid accidental hybridisation.
Not always correctly identified by exporters, this fish may be seen labelled as Bujurqi by collectors, or Pendex cichlid.
Feeding
Omnivorous and will accept most aquarium foods offered. Try to keep it varied with good quality flakes, granules, pellets, and a mixture of frozen foods such as Daphnia, white mosquito larvae, bloodworm, vitamin/Spirulina-enriched brineshrimp, Mysis, and chopped krill/prawns.
Breeding
A delayed mouthbrooder. Courting fish will adopt a distinctive contrast pattern, with darker colouration which signals their intent to spawn. Soft, acidic water is important to trigger spawning and large water changes can provide an extra stimulus to well-conditioned but otherwise reluctant fishes. A pair will select a spawning site, usually on a horizontal hard surface, and guard their eggs until hatching. Once the eggs hatch, the fry are taken into the mouths of both parents and passed from fish to fish to allow both to feed when off duty. The young can be offered baby brineshrimp (Artemia nauplii) and crushed flake foods and will soon outgrow the refuge provided by their parent's mouths.
