The Happy Acara

A Wide-Ranging Smile

The natural range of L.curviceps is said to be the eastern Amazon drainage, from Santarem down to the mouth of that great river, as well as the tributaries on either side, including the Tapajos, which joins the main river at Santarem. It has also been reported from the Brazilian state of Amapa, north of the Amazon, bordering the river, the Atlantic, and Guiana, and containing part of the highland area known as the Guiana Shield. But the data are rather vague, and this is a rather large range for such a small fish (Males to just over 3" (8 cm) and females to 2.5" (6 cm), so it may turn out that there are other species involved as well. Certainly slight variations in colour (shade and extent) are known from different sites along the mainstream Amazon, though these do appear to represent just a single species.

It should be stressed that the normal habitat of these cichlids is not the main stream areas of the large rivers, where it would be rapidly swept away or devoured by large predators. Instead it is found in shallow regions along the shore zones, as well as in small tributary streams, oxbow lakes, pools, marshes, and other areas where there is cover and little current. Sometimes the surrounding terrain is rainforest, but in this part of Brazil there is open savannah habitat as well. Cover in these shallow waters is provided by aquatic and marginal plants, trailing terrestrial vegetation, leaf litter, tree roots, as well as fallen trees, dead branches, and so forth.

It almost certainly enjoys a variety of water conditions across its wide range, from acid (pH 5.2 has been reported) to neutral or slightly alkaline (typical of the main Amazon in this part of its course), although hardness is probably minimal in all biotopes. Temperatures cited range from 26-40 degrees, which undoubtedly reflects seasonal as well as geographical variation. Under no circumstances should these little cichlids be deliberately subjected to constant, or even occasional, very high temperatures just because they have been recorded at them in the wild. We do not know how long (or if!) those simmering at 40 degrees survived the experience.

Be that as it may, the variable conditions encountered in nature are possibly an explanation of why this species is one of the hardiest dwarfs in captivity, tolerant of almost any water chemistry. Of course it has also been in our hobby for so long that it has become thoroughly acclimatised; to the best of my knowledge aquarium populations are descended from the original imports decades ago. In the event that new importations of wild specimens occur, they may prove to be more demanding.

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