The livestock that is sold on our online site is not held in store at our Birchwood Aquatic Centre shop. Species sold at the Birchwood Aquatic Centre physical store may differ from ones available to order to your door.
Zebra Acara Cichlid Nannacara Adoketa 3cm
Image for illustration purposes only. Exact colours, patterns, and size may vary between individuals.
Delivered alive, guaranteed
Live fish delivery is £20 per order, delivered Thursday, Friday or Saturday, arriving before 1:00pm on the day you choose at checkout. Packed by aquatic specialists and shipped overnight with a dedicated livestock courier, every fish is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee with automatic refunds. See How Live Fish Delivery Works for full details.
When will my fish arrive?
| Order placed | Delivery day |
|---|---|
| Up to Monday 11:00am | Thursday (that week) |
| Monday after 11:00am – Tuesday 11:00am | Friday (that week) |
| Tuesday after 11:00am – Wednesday 11:00am | Saturday (that week) |
| Wednesday after 11:00am – Sunday (any time) | Thursday (following week) |
Overview
The Zebra Acara is a rarely offered dwarf cichlid with bold dark bars over a cream to bluish body, and males develop extended fins and a deep purple-black breeding dress. It comes from blackwater forest streams of the middle Rio Negro in Brazil. It suits keepers of soft-water South American setups who want something genuinely unusual.
- Adult Size: Around 8 cm (3 in); males larger than females
- Lifespan: 4–6 years
Origin
- Native to: Middle Rio Negro basin, Amazonas, Brazil
- Habitat: Small blackwater forest streams with leaf litter and roots
Feeding
- Diet: Omnivorous, prefers meaty foods
- Preferred Foods: Bloodworm, brine shrimp, daphnia, small granules, quality flake
- Feeding Habits: Feed small amounts once or twice daily; frozen or live food improves colour
Tank Mates
- Best with: Small tetras, pencilfish, Corydoras, Otocinclus
- Avoid: Large cichlids, boisterous barbs, fin nippers
Aggression & Behaviour
- Temperament: Peaceful for a cichlid
- Territoriality: Pairs defend a spawning cave; males may quarrel in cramped tanks
Experience Level
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Challenges: Needs soft acidic water, stable conditions and low nitrate; shy when newly imported
Water Parameters
- Water Type: Freshwater, very soft and acidic
- Temperature: 23–27°C (73–81°F)
- pH: 4.5–6.5
- Hardness: 1–8 dGH
- Flow: Slow
- Tank Size: Minimum 80 litres for a pair
Final Notes
Buy young and grow a group on to let a pair form naturally, then house the pair with only small dither fish. Provide caves, bogwood, dim lighting and dried leaves, which also help keep the pH low. Both parents guard the eggs and fry, which are laid on roots or inside a cave. Males are larger with longer fins; females show a plainer, barred pattern. Given soft water, this is a rewarding cichlid to breed.
Please Note
The livestock that is sold on our online site is not held in store at our Birchwood Aquatic Centre shop. Species sold at the Birchwood Aquatic Centre physical store may differ from ones available to order to your door.
Frequently Asked Questions
In insulated boxes designed for live transport, packed by aquatic specialists,
overnight with a licensed live-animal courier, arriving before 1pm.
It is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee.
Photograph it within 4 hours of delivery, email info@birchwoodaquaticcentre.co.uk with your order number, and the refund is processed automatically. The cover continues for 7 days after arrival.
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. You pick your day at checkout; please choose a day someone is home.
Yes. One basket, one checkout; the fish arrive with the specialist courier and the rest of your order ships as normal.
We can deliver to UK mainland only for live fish.
Follow the five-minute acclimatisation steps in our When Your Fish Arrive guide: float the bags, add tank water gradually, net the fish in, lights low, feed tomorrow.