Cichlid Profiles -Platinum Acara
 

Aequdens latifrons, the Platinum Acara of Colombia is something of a misnomer. This polychromatic fish can look similar to a Blue Acara or a Yellow Acara but is seldom platinum. It has base color that ranges from yellow brown to blue to black and gold. It has one of the largest midbody dark blotches in the genus, and a very prominent stripe under the eye. It may have as many as 10 vertical body bars, indistinct or vivid depending on its mood. The first bar connects the eyes. There is usually a long midbody stripe from th eye to just behind the midbody blotch. They tail varies from yellow to wine colored. The dorsal fin can be light brown and pearly or tricolor with a light brown pearly base, a blue spangled midsection and an orange top. The have brilliant metallic blue green wormlike chin squiggles.

This is a fairly large 6+ inch fish that inhabits ponds and swamps. It likes pH of 6.5-7.5 and temperature from 76-84 degrees. They make good parents. Their wide tolerances make them very hardy aquarium fish. Most of the information on it was not collected until 2003, so there are still details of its appearance and behavior not yet standardized. See pictures at "Images of Aequidens latifrons."