Blue Acara Cichlid

The blue acara normally grows to around 13 cm (5.1 in), but can reach up to 16 cm (6.3 in). The body is compact and stocky, while the fins are long and flowing, with a rounder head than on similar cichlids.

The main body color can vary from browns to blues to black due to local diversity. The body is decorated with five to eight vertical black stripes (which may not always be distinctly visible) and blue iridescent spots, and the face sports a few horizontal green lines. The fins have a hint of orange on the tips and some specimens have a red top fin rim. A distinctive black line is present going from the eye down the cheek; this one line is not found on other similar cichlids.