Flag Acara (Smiling Cichlid)

Geographic Origin and Biotope: Lower Amazon basin, Brazil (e.g. Tapajós tributaries). Populates the flooded margins, quiet areas with slow or stagnant waters (clear or blackwater) full of riparian or floating vegetation.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Flag Cichlid (Laetacara curviceps). Dwarf cichlid (maximum 7 cm / 2.7 inches) known as the "Smiling Acara". Moderately high body, curved head profile (curviceps) and upturned mouth.

Social Behavior: Incredibly shy and peaceful, perhaps one of the quietest dwarf cichlids. Stays hidden in small groups among the fronds, moving slowly. Rarely manifests aggression unless strictly around the eggs.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Beautiful but elusive. Cyan and light blue metallic reflections on a blue-gray/olive base, often with a dark zigzag lateral line. The fins are spotted with teal. When spawning, the belly turns purplish. Males slightly larger and more pointed.

Aquarium Setup: Needs constant visual covers. Densely planted aquariums (60-80 cm / 24-32 inches min) with abundant Salvinia or Pistia on the surface. Refuges formed by bogwood roots, coconut shells and dead leaves are essential to see it calm.

Diet and Feeding: Micro-predator and Insectivore. Grazes on small crustaceans and larvae from plant surfaces. In the aquarium it eats small-caliber dry food but must be regularly spoiled with live or frozen daphnia to show its flashes of color.

Water Quality: Prefers acidic waters (Ph 6.0) but resists well up to 7.5. Fundamental is the very slow flow, powerful wavemakers will exhaust them confining them to a corner of the tank.

Compatibility and Tankmates: Excellent. Perfect with shy Tetras (Neon, Ember tetra), hatchetfish (Carnegiella) and very small loricariids. Tends to be submissive and not feed if paired with overly expansive Apistogramma or Ramirezi.

Aquarium Reproduction: Open Spawner. They choose pre-cleaned round stones or large Echinodorus leaves. They lay up to 200 eggs; form a lasting pair that defends the offspring together (although often, in the first attempts, they devour them in prey to inexperience).

Risks and Diseases: Discoloration (Stress). In stores and tanks poor in shelters, the curviceps looks like an insignificant mud-gray fish. Only optimal home conditions will unlock the blue livery.