Care
At home in a range of habitats from tangled blackwater creeks to seasonal flood plains, this acara typically occupies habitats that provide dense cover and more open areas for foraging. Their generalised body plan enables them to hunt a range of invertebrates and larger fishes will spend more time in the open than the more timid youngsters, which are often found amongst marginal vegetation in the company of tetras and dwarf cichlids. This is why youngsters were occasionally seen as odd fish in batches of tetras.
Their aquarium should be biologically mature and spacious, with efficient filtration that provides moderate levels of water movement. Provide plenty of hiding places amongst tangles of driftwood, rocky caves, and robust planting. Frequent partial water changes will help keep nitrate to a minimum, particularly important as this species is sensitive to deteriorating water conditions. A moderately aggressive acara, metae make good choices for communities of larger cichlids such as Severum and Chocolate cichlids alongside large tetras and Silver dollars, which will make the wary cichlids more relaxed. Wild fish are found in loose aggregations when not breeding, and keeping a small group will generally keep them busy with one another, as well as allowing them to select their own partner at spawning time, which makes for far more compatible pairs.
Some regional forms of this fish such as 'Rio Atabapo' are occasionally imported and may be different species. Keep these and closely related fishes such as Aeq. diadema separately to avoid accidental hybridisation.
Feeding
Omnivorous and will accept most aquarium foods offered. Try to keep it varied with good quality flakes, granules, sinking pellets, and a mixture of frozen foods such as Daphnia, white mosquito larvae, bloodworm, vitamin/Spirulina-enriched brineshrimp, Mysis, and chopped krill/prawns.
Breeding
Typical biparental substrate spawner. Soft, acidic water is important to trigger spawning and large water changes can provide an extra stimulus to well-conditioned but otherwise reluctant fishes. A pair will select a spawning site, usually on a horizontal hard surface, and adopt spawning colours to warn other fishes of their territorial claim. Once the eggs hatch, wriggling fry are transferred to a pit before they become free swimming. The young can be offered baby brineshrimp (Artemia nauplii) and crushed flake foods.
