Moderate
Zebra Acara (Nannacara adoketa)
24–28°C · pH 4.5–6.5 · 60L
£48.99
Ivanacara bimaculata is a specialist Guyana dwarf cichlid for mature soft-water aquariums with leaf litter, cover and calm tank mates.
Adult size is the maximum length this species reaches at full maturity (scientific sources). The livestock you receive will be younger and smaller — pick a size variant above for the actual shipping size. Photos are AI-enhanced, so the animal may show subtle colour or marking differences.
Ivanacara bimaculata
Ivanacara bimaculata is a specialist Guyana dwarf cichlid for mature soft-water aquariums with leaf litter, cover and calm tank mates.
Adult size is the maximum length this species reaches at full maturity (scientific sources). The livestock you receive will be younger and smaller — pick a size variant above for the actual shipping size. Photos are AI-enhanced, so the animal may show subtle colour or marking differences.
Maintain these water conditions for optimal health and vibrant colors
Ivanacara bimaculata is a specialist South American dwarf cichlid from Guyana, offered here at around 2.5-3 cm. It is not a generic beginner community fish. This is a compact, characterful blackwater cichlid for aquarists who enjoy soft, acidic aquariums, careful stocking and behaviour-rich fish.
Compared with many common Apistogramma and ram cichlids, Ivanacara bimaculata feels more like a collector fish: subtle at first, then increasingly confident once it has shade, leaf litter, roots and secure territories. It suits a mature aquarium where water quality is stable and tank mates are chosen around the cichlid, not simply added because they are peaceful in ordinary tap water.
| Scientific name | Ivanacara bimaculata |
|---|---|
| Current supplied size | 2.5-3 cm |
| Adult size | Often around 5-7 cm total length in the aquarium trade; FishBase records 4.5 cm standard length |
| Care level | Advanced |
| Temperature | 24-28C |
| pH | 4.5-6.5 |
| Hardness | Soft water preferred, roughly 1-8 dGH |
| Minimum aquarium | 60 litres for a quiet species setup; 100 litres or larger if adding tank mates |
| Temperament | Territorial dwarf cichlid; calm when settled, assertive around chosen areas |
| Diet | Carnivore; small cichlid foods plus suitable frozen or live foods |
| Origin | Potaro River and Essequibo River basin, Guyana |
Ivanacara bimaculata is appealing in a quieter way than a bright farmed ram or a high-colour Apistogramma strain. The attraction is the natural dwarf-cichlid shape, alert posture, shifting mood colour and confident territory work once the fish has settled. In a dim, tannin-stained aquarium, the fish can show a much richer presence than its small size suggests.
This is a good choice if you want a rare-feeling South American cichlid with behaviour to watch: exploring leaf litter, guarding favourite cover, hovering under roots and inspecting food with the deliberate movement typical of dwarf cichlids. It is a poor choice for a bright, busy, hard-water community where a shy specialist fish will be outcompeted.
The main care point is water chemistry. Ivanacara bimaculata should be planned as a soft, acidic blackwater species. Use warm water in the 24-28C range, keep pH on the acidic side, and avoid hard alkaline conditions. Do not try to force this fish into a general mixed community just because it is small.
Stability matters as much as the exact number. A mature filter, low nitrate, zero ammonia and zero nitrite are essential. If your tap water is naturally hard, plan the aquarium before ordering rather than trying to fix it after the fish arrives. Reverse-osmosis blending, botanicals and careful remineralising may be needed for a proper soft-water setup.
Leaf litter, driftwood and botanicals are not just decoration for this species. They provide shelter, break up sight lines, encourage natural foraging and help create the darker, calmer feel associated with blackwater habitats. Indian almond leaves, alder cones and wood can all help, provided they are used in a stable, measured way.
Use a mature aquarium with a fine sand base, tangled roots, caves, leaf litter and shaded open areas. A 60 litre species aquarium can work for a carefully observed single fish or settled pair, but a larger footprint is much safer if you want tank mates or if the fish becomes territorial. For a community layout, think closer to 100 litres or more.
Filtration should be biologically strong but not violent. Gentle to moderate flow is enough. Very bright lighting can make Ivanacara more cautious, so use floating plants, shaded hardscape or tannin-stained water to soften the layout. Keep maintenance regular, but avoid sudden large swings in temperature, pH or conductivity.
Provide several retreats so the fish can choose where it feels safe. Caves, coconut shells, wood gaps and leaf piles all work. If a pair forms, territorial behaviour can increase quickly, so the layout should include visual barriers before they are needed.
Feed Ivanacara bimaculata like a small carnivorous cichlid. Offer quality small cichlid granules or soft prepared foods as a base, then vary the diet with suitable frozen or live foods such as daphnia, cyclops, brine shrimp, mosquito larvae, bloodworm in moderation and fine worms. Small portions are better than heavy meals.
Newly arrived specimens may be shy, so feed with the lights low and avoid boisterous tank mates that take every food item first. A leaf-litter bed can also support microfauna and natural picking behaviour. Remove uneaten food quickly because soft acidic setups do not forgive poor water quality.
This is a territorial dwarf cichlid, not a schooling fish. It can live with calm tank mates, but the aquarium must be designed around soft acidic water and quiet behaviour. Pencilfish, peaceful tetras that tolerate soft water, small peaceful catfish in spacious aquariums and other non-boisterous South American fish are better candidates than fast, pushy community fish.
Avoid fin nippers, large aggressive cichlids, hard-water species, very tiny fish and shrimp that may be treated as food. Also avoid crowded dwarf-cichlid mixes unless the aquarium is large and heavily structured. Ivanacara may be small, but a settled adult can still claim a territory and defend it strongly.
If you want a forgiving first dwarf cichlid, a captive-bred ram or some Apistogramma strains may be easier. If you already understand soft-water aquariums and want something less common, Ivanacara bimaculata is far more interesting. It has the collector appeal of a specialist species without needing a giant aquarium, but it does ask for more discipline than a general tropical fish.
Compared with Zebra Acara (Nannacara adoketa / Ivanacara adoketa), this species is generally sold smaller and is often discussed as the more compact member of the Ivanacara group. Even so, it should still be given proper territory, cover and soft water.
Ivanacara bimaculata should be treated as a cichlid first and a small fish second. Mature fish may become more territorial when they choose a cave, root tangle or leaf-litter pocket. If you are keeping a pair, give them more space than their body size suggests and watch the weaker fish carefully. A spare divider or backup tank is sensible for any aquarist attempting pair formation with specialist dwarf cichlids.
Breeding is possible for experienced keepers, but it is not something to force in a busy display tank. Soft acidic water, privacy, steady temperature, excellent food and low disturbance are all more important than chasing a quick spawn. If eggs or fry appear, expect the adults to guard the site and push other fish away. That is normal cichlid behaviour, but it can be stressful in a small mixed aquarium.
The first few days matter. A newly arrived Ivanacara may stay close to cover, refuse bright areas and inspect food cautiously. Keep lighting subdued, avoid tapping the glass, and offer small foods once the fish has had time to orient itself. Strong colour and confident feeding can take time, especially in a bare or over-bright tank.
Most avoidable problems come from stress: unsuitable hard water, sudden pH swings, aggressive tank mates, poor oxygenation, heavy feeding or immature filtration. Check ammonia and nitrite before the fish arrives, keep nitrate low, and make small maintenance changes rather than dramatic corrections. If the fish clamps fins, breathes heavily, hides constantly or stops feeding after settling, test water first before assuming disease.
Choose Ivanacara bimaculata if you already enjoy blackwater aquariums, dwarf cichlid behaviour and quieter, more natural displays. It is ideal for aquarists who appreciate subtle specialist fish rather than only bright, instant-impact colour. It also suits keepers who are happy to build the aquascape around the species: sand, roots, leaves, gentle flow and open feeding areas.
Skip this fish if you want a hard-water community centrepiece, a beginner cichlid for a new tank, or a colourful fish that can be dropped into any mixed aquarium. It is also not the right choice if your tank is full of fast barbs, large cichlids or fish that rush every feeding. In the right setup it is fascinating; in the wrong setup it will simply be stressed.
This listing is for Ivanacara bimaculata supplied around 2.5-3 cm. Because it is a specialist live fish, prepare the aquarium before ordering: check temperature, pH, hardness, filtration and tank mates. Do not rely on emergency adjustments after delivery.
Eligible livestock is packed carefully and sent by UK live-animal courier. The Live Arrival Guarantee applies when the receiving and acclimation instructions are followed. On arrival, keep the lights low, acclimate carefully and give the fish time to settle into cover before expecting full colour or confident feeding.
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