Can Acara live together peacefully?

I have a 55 gallon tank that's semi-aggressive.

1 rainbow shark
8 tiger barbs
8 gold barbs
1 rubbernose pleco
1 - 2 Acara. (Black acara and blue acara)

I know it'd be stocked/over stocked a bit, but I can handle the water changes and keep the water parameters good.

I just don't know if Acara can live together peacefully. If not, I'll just get one blue acara.

 

Blue acara can be in a aquarium single or a pair (male and female) except if raising some unsexed juveniles. But seven adult females can live peacefully if there is no male.
Found info in What Fish? A buyers guide to tropical fish by Nick Fletcher. I would suggust this book its extremly helpful!

 

Blue acara can be in a aquarium single or a pair (male and female) except if raising some unsexed juveniles. But seven adult females can live peacefully if there is no male.
Found info in What Fish? A buyers guide to tropical fish by Nick Fletcher. I would suggust this book its extremly helpful!

So to be safe, just one Acara?

 

If you want only one yes.

Or ask the person your purchasing from.

If you end up getting more than one, don't get two males otherwise they might end up fighting eachother over territory.

 

That is a book full of out dated information.

Can you keep "Acaras" together in a tank the simple answer is yes for sure.
Your problem is tank size and also the fact you already have a few fish in there.
You are looking at a fish that will get to a decent size, close to 8",
and also a thick fish. If you want one get just that, one.
The info provided from this book is so general it is almost
silly. To say you can keep seven females together without a male...
Ok I will agree with that. But why doesn't it say you could also keep seven males
together in a properly set up tank of the right size??

If you want to get into any of the Acara group go for it. They are a fun
fish to keep. And most are on the peaceful side and look great.
Good luck with whatever you decide on.



Brian