Port Acara
Cichlasoma portalegrense
The Port Acara (Cichlasoma portalegrense) is a semi-aggressive fish that's easy to keep. Give it a tank of at least 200 litres (53 US gallons), water held at 68-81°F, and a pH of 6-7.5.
Captive lifespan reflects typical experience in a home aquarium, not maximum recorded age; genetics, sourcing, and care vary.
Natural distribution
South America
- South America
Regional colours match the stocking calculator's origin map.
Port Acara Tank Setup
Give them at least 200 litres (53 US gallons). Cichlids are territorial and produce plenty of waste, so strong filtration and some rocks or wood to break up sight lines both help. Aim for 68-81°F and a pH around 6-7.5. They reach about 15 cm as adults, so don't be misled by the small juveniles sold in stores.
What Do Port Acaras Eat?
They're not fussy eaters - feed a varied diet, rotating good-quality dry, frozen, and gel foods rather than the same thing every day, and match the food size to their mouths.
Port Acara Tank Mates
One of the more peaceful Central/South American cichlids. Pairs bond; may be aggressive when breeding. The Port Acara is semi-aggressive, which is the first thing to weigh up when you choose tank mates. Good matches come down to the whole stocking list working together - temperature, tank size, and temperament - not any single label. Before you buy, run your full stocking list through our stocking calculator. It weighs temperament, adult size, and water needs together, which a single species page can't do on its own.
Are Port Acaras Good for Beginners?
Reasonable early choice after cycling. Buy after the tank has stable ammonia and nitrite readings, not the same weekend you fill it.
Port Acara - frequently asked questions
What size tank do Port Acaras need?
Port Acaras need a tank of at least 200 litres (53 US gallons). A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable, and gives them more room to settle in and behave naturally.
What water parameters do Port Acaras need?
Keep them at 68-81°F with a pH of 6-7.5, steady rather than chased to an exact figure. In a cycled tank, ammonia and nitrite should both read 0 ppm, with nitrate kept low through regular water changes.
What do Port Acaras eat?
Port Acaras are omnivores and aren't fussy eaters. Feed a varied mix of good-quality dry, frozen, and gel foods, and match the food size to their mouths. Feed small amounts once or twice a day, and remove anything they don't eat.
Are Port Acaras good for beginners?
Yes - Port Acaras are a reasonable beginner fish once the tank is cycled and parameters are stable. Add them after ammonia and nitrite read 0 ppm, not the same day you fill the tank.
Common mistakes with Port Acaras
- Underestimating tank size - the minimum footprint is 200 litres (53 US gallons); impulse buying into a smaller tank leads to stress and shortened lifespan.
Building a community? Run the full list through the stocking calculator before you add anything else.
Great tank mates
Chosen from temperament, overlapping temperature/pH bands, plausible minimum tank footprints, and size versus yours in App-aquatic data. Hobby nuance always wins - verify stocking and temperament before purchasing.
Fish to avoid mixing with Port Acaras
These well-known species are commonly sold alongside this fish but are not recommended tank mates - verify before purchasing.
- Pea PufferPredator - Pea Puffer will eat or injure smaller tank mates
- Betta (Male)Predator - Betta (Male) will eat or injure smaller tank mates
- Serpae TetraFin nipper - will shred the fins of peaceful fish
