HomeFreshwater aquarium fishSouth & Central American cichlidsRedbreast acara Redbreast acara (Laetacara dorsigera) Scientific name: Laetacara dorsigera Heckel, 1840 The Redbreast acara (Laetacara dorsigera) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows to about 7.5 cm (3 in). It is easy to keep and aggressive and needs a tank of at least 115 L (30 US gal), water at 25–29°C (77–84°F) and a pH of 6.0–7.5. Native range: South America, Amazon River basin, in the Guapor? River drainage; Paran? River basin, in the Paraguay River drainage in Brazil and Paraguay, middle Paran? River drainage in Argentina. Redbreast acara care at a glanceCare levelEasyTemperamentAggressiveAdult size7.5 cm (3 in)Minimum tank115 L (30 US gal)Temperature25–29°C (77–84°F)pH6.0–7.5Hardness1–20 dGH (18–357 ppm)DietOmnivore. Accepts flakes, frozen foods and live foods. BiologyDorsal spines (total): 14; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-10; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8 - 9; Vertebrae: 24. Distinguished from all other species of the genus by the following combination of characters: scales on the longitudinal series 21-22; a dark spot on dorsal fin above trunk bar 5, and usually above trunk bar 4; head depth 90.2-96.3 % mm HL; cycloid scales on head sides; dorsal-fin rays 9-10; anal-fin rays 8-9; total vertebrae 24; scales on the upper lateral line 14-15; scales on the lower lateral line 6-8; absence of a dark dot at the edge of each scale on the midlateral portion of the flank; and a wide ectopterygoid.Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameLaetacara dorsigeraFamilyCichlidae (Cichlids)OrderPerciformes (Perch-like fish)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length6.0EnvironmentFreshwater;; pH range: 6.0 - 7.5; dH range: 1 - 20 benthopelagicClimateTropicalDistributionSouth America: Amazon River basin, in the Guapor? River drainage; Paran? River basin, in the Paraguay River drainage in Brazil and Paraguay, middle Paran? River drainage in Argentina.Conservation status (IUCN)Not EvaluatedThreat to humansHarmlessUsesFisheries: of no interest; aquarium: commercialResilienceHigh, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.) More south & central american cichlidsFlag acaraLaetacara curvicepsCockatoo cichlidApistogramma cacatuoidesRam cichlidMikrogeophagus ramireziThreespot eartheaterSatanoperca daemonEmerald cichlidHypselecara temporalisRedhump eartheaterGeophagus steindachneriSee all south & central american cichlids Can it live with...?Redbreast acara and Cockatoo cichlidRedbreast acara and Demon eartheaterRedbreast acara and Flag acaraRedbreast acara and Goldeneye cichlidRedbreast acara and Ram cichlidRedbreast acara and Red discusRedbreast acara and Redhump eartheaterRedbreast acara and Threespot eartheaterRedbreast acara and UaruRedbreast acara and Umbrella cichlid SourcesTaxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Aquarium care parameters compiled, checked and converted to metric and imperial units by Guppies.za.net.Last updated 28 September 2026