Albino Heckelii

The Albino Heckelii is a spectacular colour form of the Threadfin Acara, Acarichthys heckelii. This South American cichlid is known for its elegant body shape, extended finnage and distinctive flowing filaments that become increasingly impressive as the fish matures.

The albino variety displays pale cream, white and golden colouration combined with warm orange and red tones through the fins, creating a striking centrepiece for a larger freshwater aquarium.

Albino Heckelii can grow into substantial cichlids and require plenty of swimming space, good filtration and carefully selected tank mates. When provided with suitable conditions, mature specimens can develop particularly impressive finnage and colour.

• Common Name: Albino Heckelii / Albino Threadfin Acara
• Scientific Name: Acarichthys heckelii
• Family: Cichlidae
• Origin: South America
• Adult Size: Approximately 15–20cm+
• Temperament: Generally peaceful to semi-aggressive
• Care Level: Moderate
• Minimum Tank Size: Approximately 250 litres+, with larger aquariums recommended for groups
• Temperature: Approximately 24–29°C
• pH: Approximately 6.0–7.5
• Diet: Omnivorous
• Aquarium Level: Middle to lower levels
• Social Behaviour: Generally social but may become territorial, particularly during breeding
• Lifespan: Approximately 8–10+ years with appropriate care

Feeding

Albino Heckelii benefit from a varied, high-quality diet.

Suitable foods include:

• Quality cichlid pellets
• Sinking or slow-sinking granules
• Frozen brine shrimp
• Mysis shrimp
• Suitable frozen foods
• Quality insect-based foods
• Occasional vegetable-based foods

A varied diet can help support healthy growth, finnage and natural colour development.

Avoid excessive feeding and remove uneaten food to maintain excellent water quality.

Aquarium Care

Albino Heckelii require a spacious aquarium with good filtration and stable water conditions.

A suitable setup should provide:

• Strong biological and mechanical filtration
• Regular partial water changes
• Plenty of open swimming space
• Fine sand or smooth substrate
• Driftwood and natural hardscape
• Rocks and sheltered areas
• Stable warm water conditions
• Good oxygenation

These fish may dig and move substrate, particularly as they mature or prepare to breed. Plants should therefore be securely positioned or selected with this behaviour in mind.

Tank Mates

Albino Heckelii can generally be maintained with appropriately sized peaceful to semi-aggressive fish.

Potential tank mates may include:

• Other compatible South American cichlids
• Severums
• Geophagus species with compatible requirements
• Larger peaceful tetras
• Suitable medium-to-large catfish
• Other appropriately sized community species

Avoid very small fish that could eventually be viewed as food and highly aggressive cichlids that may continually harass them.

Individual temperament can vary, particularly when mature fish form breeding pairs.

Colour & Appearance

Albino Heckelii are particularly impressive as they mature.

Depending on genetics, age and conditions, individuals may develop:

• Pale cream to white body colouration
• Golden or yellow tones
• Orange and red highlights
• Extended dorsal and anal fins
• Long trailing fin filaments
• Iridescent highlights through the body and fins

Juvenile fish may look considerably different from mature specimens, with stronger colour and extended finnage developing with age.

Important Information

Albino Heckelii can become considerably larger than they appear when sold as juveniles. Ensure the aquarium is capable of accommodating their adult size, rather than selecting a tank based only on the size of the fish at purchase.

Good filtration and regular maintenance are particularly important as these fish mature and produce increasing amounts of waste

Shipping

• Australia-wide shipping available where permitted
• Fish are carefully packed for safe transport
• Local pickup available by appointment from Fins 'N' Feathers
• Shipping availability may depend on destination, weather conditions, fish size and applicable biosecurity restrictions

Live Arrival

Please inspect livestock immediately upon arrival. If there is an issue with your fish, contact Fins 'N' Feathers as soon as possible and within our applicable live-arrival period, providing clear photos of the fish in the unopened transport bag where required.

Live fish cannot be returned for change of mind.

Albino Heckelii are live animals and individual variation should be expected. Size, body colour, markings and finnage will vary between individual fish, with colour intensity and extended fin development often becoming more pronounced as the fish matures.