Threadfin Acara (Heckeli)
Country of Origin: 🇺🇸USAThreadfin Acara (Geo Heckelii)
Background Info
Threadfin Acara, also known as Heckelii Cichlid, is a beautiful and unique fish. The dorsal fins of these fish have threadlike markings, which is where their name comes from. The scales on their sides reflect the light in a way that makes it seem like they have bright neon lights attached to them.
Threadfin Acaras come from the Amazon and other areas in South America. In the wild, they tend to live in shallow, calm water. They will swim along the bottom of the water, putting sand in their mouths. They will then sift out small pieces of food like insect larvae and crustaceans. They can also get food from other parts of the water, such as the surface, though they prefer sifting for food at the bottom.
Because they come from areas near the equator, Threadfin Acaras prefer their tank water to be quite warm. You can keep the tank between 75 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit, and they will be perfectly happy.
Threadfin Acaras are schooling fish, so you should get a couple of them at once. Since they can grow to be about eight inches long, you will need quite a large tank. A large tank will keep several Threadfin Acara and other species of fish happy and healthy.
Feeds and Feeding
Threadfin Acaras are omnivores, so they will eat just about anything. Since they usually sift their food out of the sand at the bottom of the water, they like foods that sink to the bottom of the tank. Even though they will eat anything, they prefer frozen and sinking prepared foods.
Tankmates
Threadfin Acaras are somewhat aggressive, so they can’t live in a tank with just any other type of fish. They do best with other Threadfin Acara. You should plan to purchase a few of these fish so that they can school together. They will also do well with other medium schooling fish, other South American Cichlids of similar size, catfish, and plecos.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big do Threadfin Acara get?
Threadfin Acara can reach up to 8 inches in length.
Are Threadfin Acara aggressive?
Threadfin Acaras are moderately aggressive fish, but they will do well with other peaceful cichlid fish and other fish species of a similar size. Make sure to research compatible tank mates when thinking about purchasing a Threadfin Acara so that all of your fish get along well with each other.
DOA Policy
While this is a rare occurrence, it can and will happen from time to time. Fish are live animals and we cannot ensure that every one will arrive alive or remain alive. We do ask that if your fish arrives dead (DOA), submit a picture of the deceased fish that is in the bag within 2 hours of the delivery time of your fish. We will work quickly with you to resolve the problem.
We will offer replacement fish for any losses, but do not offer refunds at this time. We can replace fish but shipping costs is the responsibilityof the buyer. If you put the fish in your tank and it dies or is not acting properly, please contact us, with pictures,within 24 hours. We will again, do everything in our power to resolve the issue and ensure that you have a great experience with these fish.
Shipping Policy
Most Shipments will be UPS Next Day Air unless otherwise noted. Processing fish for your order can take up to 2 business days. This is to ensure your fish and healthy, happy, and ready to be put in your tank when it arrives. We ship fish on Mondays- Wednesday (excluding holidays) to ensure fish arrive before weekends. This allows us to completely prepare the fish for shipping and ensure they are healthy prior to arrive at your door. All fish will be shipped with oxygenated water and specific additives in the water to ensure they maintain their health and stability during shipment. Depending on the species of fish and current weather conditions, the fish may arrive with a heat pack or ice pack to maintain the optimal temperature which further ensures the health and safety of your fish. All costs of shipping (postage, packaging,heat/ice packs, etc.) are included in the Shipping fee. We ship to only the continental United States.
FAQ
"The fish I received do not look like the fish in thepicture. Why is this?"
- We typically take photographs of one or two fish when we initially get them in. Since we have a large quantity of most of the various species of fish, it would be understandably impossible to provide a picture ofevery individual fish with a specific species. For some of our more rare orlarger fish, the picture listed may be the actual fish that you are receiving.If this is the case, it will be designated by ?WYSIWYG?, meaning ?what you see,is what you get?.
"What happens if my fish arrive dead?"
- While this is a rare occurrence, it can and willhappen from time to time. Fish are live animals and we cannot ensure that everyone will arrive alive or remain alive. We do ask that if your fisharrives dead (DOA), submit a picture of the deceased fish that is in the bag.We will work quickly with you to resolve the problem. We will offer replacement fish for any losses, but do not offer refunds at this time. We will reship any replacement fish at the buyer's expense. If you put the fish in your tank and it dies or is not acting properly, please contact us, with pictures, within 24 hours. We will again, do everything in our power to resolvethe issue and ensure that you have a great experience with these fish.
"What if I'm not home when the fish arrive?"
- We will always provide you with a tracking number. While the fish are packaged to survive about 72+ hours within the shipping containers, we do ask that you make arrangements to arrive home to inspect your fish as soon as possible after they are delivered to your home. Itis always suggested to provide an area for the delivery person to place the boxthat is out of direct sunlight or extreme temperatures.
"What do I do with my fish once I've unpacked them?"
- Like you would with any new fish, let the entire bag float in your tank for 15-30 minutes. This allows the temperature withinthe bag to adjust to the same as your tank and will reduce temperature shock onthe fish. After this time, you can add all of the fish and water that is in thebag into your tank. The products used within the water for shipping will notharm any existing fish within your tank and actually makes the transition foryour new fish a bit easier. After this, expect your new fish to take a few daysto become fully adjusted, this includes hiding, floating at the top, sinking tothe bottom, and not eating. After a few days, your new fish should be acting aswimming like they normally would. At this point, enjoy your aquarium!
"I want to return my new fish because x,y,z?"
- Unfortunately, we are unable to accept returns.We do recommend contacting us via email with yourorder number and as much information as possible. We will try to assist you inresolving whatever the issue may be.