Port Acaras, anybody own any?

[jdheff1982]

Hey all!! I am really considering buying a Port Acara from www.liveaquaria.com. I was wondering if anybody has any experiances and info about these guys!!. Since my tank is 37 gallons, I gonna get just one and a cool pleco too!!! I was think about a tiger pleco to go along. If anyone has any good info about these fish, please let me know!! Thanks!!

[mogurnda]

Probably the mellowest medium-sized cichlid I ever owned. I had one for about 10 years, kept it with small tetras, danios, barbs, it didn't care. Grew to about 5" and lived through all sorts of adventures, including a several year stint in my mom's 2nd grade classroom. Also one of the drabbest, being a boring grey-brown, but had a nice scale pattern. However, I never put any effort into finding a mate and breeding it, so that may have changed the color and behavior completely.

I'd say you easily have room for a pair in your 37.

edit. Just checked the site, that doesn't look like any port I've seen. Ports look more like the pic in The Cichlid Room Companion (http://www.cichlidae.com/gallery/Cichlasoma/portalegrensis-01.jpg). I can't link to it, so go to the South American gallery, under Cichlosoma portalagrensis. The LiveAquaria fish looks like what we used to call Aequidens dorsiger, and is now called Laetacara dorsigera (http://www.fishbase.org/Photos/PicturesSummary.cfm?StartRow=2&ID=12264&what=species). I'd say dorsiger/dorsigera would be an even better score, so go for it.

[DarthV]

I'm not sure of those pictures up on Live Aquaria are what you're going to see in your tank... all I can say is that I HOPE my Carpinte turns out looking that green!

[Tiger15]

A drab looking but mellow Acara kept in the 60/70's when there were few other cichlids available in the hobby. The fish have firmly established in Florida waters and I have seen 10+ inch fish hooked out of the canals there. Port Acara are rarely available in LFS now as more colorful speices like Blue Acara and Green Terror have practically replaced Port.

[jdheff1982]

I don't know if I will get the Port or not, I kinda want apistos. Do you think about 4 or 5 would do alright in a 37 tall along with a pleco and some tetras?? Thanks!

BTW> My LFS'S are stupid!!! I asked about getting apistos here and they all said they could order, but the orders were too big (200+ 1/8" fish) and would have to sell them at $50.00 a piece!!!! Not enough interest.

Is Live Aquaria a reliable source to get fish from??? If not, please direct me to a site that is reliable. Thanks!!!

[jdheff1982]

How about Jeff Rapps?? I heard a lot of ppl saying he has excellent fish. Does he sell/ship via the internet??? Thanks!