Ivanacara adoketa
Ivanacara adoketa
Ivanacara adoketa
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Remarks: Ivanacara adoketa, sometimes known as the zebra acara, is an uncommon cichlid endemic to the middle and upper sections of the Rio Negro system in Brazil. With their limited range, they are not often seen in the hobby which is a shame as they are gorgeous fish once they mature. Adult I. adoketa have silver or tan bodies covered in iridescent blue scales that nicely accent the orange markings on the face and fins. Their common name of zebra acara comes from their vertical black bands that get more prominent when breeding or rearing fry. Males will also get elegant fin extensions on their anal, pelvic, and dorsal fins resulting in a stunning looking fish.
The natural habitat of I. adoketa consists of shallow blackwater streams and tributaries during the dry season where little light breaks through the thick canopy. This same canopy litters the substrate with plenty of fallen leaves and other botanicals. The I. adoketa hunt for small crustacceans, insects and worms hiding within these leaves. These organics combined with the extremely soft water has the pH in these areas extremely low with it being as low as 3.0 at some points. During the wet season, these shallow waters flood and allow the I. adoketa along with any other fish living there to go out to feed in the flooded forest. This time is also when these fish breed, taking advantage of the abundant food and space. While considered open-spawners, I. adoketa will usually seek out a cave to spawn in keep their eggs and fry safe from predators also using this sudden expansion in space.
As this species is rather fickle about water parameters and does not tolerate pollutants, it is best to try to replicate their natural habitat as much as possible especially when working with wild caught specimens. Utilizing botanicals and RO/DI water will help in replicating the soft, acidic, blackwater they love and by occasionally doing water changes with slightly cooler water you can possibly induce spawning. Many note these fish also show their best color when kept in water heavily stained with tannins. I. adoketa are considering to be more of a medium sized cichlid and can be very territorial especially in regards to other cichlids and/or when spawning. To prevent aggression and possible loses of tankmates, we recommend only keeping a single pair in a 40 gallon with a 75 gallon or more needed If keeping more than two I. adoketa or when planning to house them with other cichlids. Fish that are small enough to be swallowed by an adult male which can reach five inches in length should also be avoided as they are likely to be eaten. With how beautiful, rare, and highly sought after I. adoketa are, they make a great breeding project for those up to the challenge. This combined with just how incredible they are to watch makes it worth it to simply keep them in a species only tank which we recommend.
Animal Data
Animal Data
- Native to: Brazil
- Breeding: Wild-caught in Brazil
- Max adult size: 4-5"
- Diet: Carnivore
- Social behavior: Moderate
- Care skill: Intermediate
Tank Parameters
Tank Parameters
- Temp range: 72°F - 84°F
- pH range: 4.0 - 5.5
- TDS range: 10 ppm - 100 ppm
- Min Tank Size:
Shipping Info
Shipping Info
We provide premium next day air shipping at affordable flat rates to minimize transit time for the health of the fish.
| US Zone 1 | UPS/FedEx Overnight | $39.99 |
| US Zone 2 | UPS/FedEx Overnight | $49.99 |
| US Zone 3 | UPS/FedEx Overnight | $59.99 |
| US Zone 4 |
UPS/FedEx Overnight |
$69.99 |
| Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Alaska | UPS/FedEx Overnight 1-2 Day Air | Starts at $89.99 |
| Canada | UPS/FedEx Overnight -2 Day Air | Starts at $89.99 |
| Florida | UPS/FedEx 1 Day Ground | $19.99 |
| Local pickup | Select at checkout | No charge |
| No overseas shipping | ||
Minimum order for all shipping is $50 for mainland US, $100 elsewhere. Saturday delivery available for an extra $30. Shipping to Alaska and Canada is not flat rate and can be subject to additional fees based on location.
Important order and shipping info
Allow 2-4 business days to process and pack your order. You will receive a notification when it actually ships. Order cancellations are subject to a 10% restocking fee. Order changes cannot be made. However, if you wish to add to your order within 24 hours, you may place a second order with a request to combine the shipments. We will do our best to accommodate, however once an order is packaged and sealed it cannot be reopened.
Your order is covered by our Healthy & Happy Arrival Guarantee.
Why buy from us?
Our Healthy & Happy Arrival guarantee
We've been packing and shipping live fish for over 50 years. When you buy from us, you get the healthiest stock and most experienced live fish shipping in the industry. So you know you won't be disappointed!
Will my fish look like the picture?
The majority of fish on our website will NOT look like their photos upon their unboxing. Fish change in appearance depending on many factors, including mood, age, gender, and social status. Fish will naturally lose color during shipping and may appear faded upon arrival. Pictures are used as examples only. Pictures may be of mature fish with full color or juvenile fish without color. We encourage you to research the species as much as possible prior to ordering in order to familiarize yourself with the various appearances they may take on. Many species have females that look drastically different to their male counterparts, and many juveniles will not have as much color (or different colors) as their adult forms. If you have questions about how the fish will look, please review their information and email us if you have any questions.
How do I know which fish can go together in my tank?
Research the product descriptions on our website and use Google search to help decide which fish can go together. PLEASE do your research and email us if you have any questions. Also, we have a very active Facebook group called Imperial Tropicals Fishkeepers where you can learn from knowledgable and experienced fishkeepers.
How do you ship live fish? Sounds risky!
We've been shipping live fish for over 50 years. we use specialized packaging and techniques to ensure their health. See how we do it.
How much does shipping cost?
We provide premium next day air shipping at affordable flat rates to minimize transit time for the health of the fish.
| US Zone 1 | UPS/FedEx Overnight | $39.99 |
| US Zone 2 | UPS/FedEx Overnight | $49.99 |
| US Zone 3 | UPS/FedEx Overnight | $59.99 |
| US Zone 4 |
UPS/FedEx Overnight |
$69.99 |
| Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Alaska | UPS/FedEx Overnight 1-2 Day Air | Starts at $89.99 |
| Canada | UPS/FedEx Overnight -2 Day Air | Starts at $89.99 |
| Florida | UPS/FedEx 1 Day Ground | $19.99 |
| Local pickup | Select at checkout | No charge |
| No overseas shipping | ||
Minimum order for all shipping is $50 for mainland US, $100 elsewhere. Saturday delivery available for an extra $30. Shipping to Alaska and Canada is not flat rate and can be subject to additional fees based on location.
Important order and shipping info
Allow 2-4 business days to process and pack your order. You will receive a notification when it actually ships. Order cancellations are subject to a 10% restocking fee. Order changes cannot be made. However, if you wish to add to your order within 24 hours, you may place a second order with a request to combine the shipments. We will do our best to accommodate, however once an order is packaged and sealed it cannot be reopened.
Your order is covered by our Healthy & Happy Arrival Guarantee.
When will I get my order?
We need 2-4 days to select and pack your fish, you'll get a notification when it ships along with tracking info. It will arrive the next day or day after, depending on your location. See our Shipping Policy for full info.
What if my order is delayed? Will my fish be OK?
We ship hundreds of packages a week, and most are delivered without any issues thanks to our experienced team and premium air courier service. Our high-tech packaging is designed to sustain the animals a minimum of 2-3 days in the box, and in some cases longer, depending on the breed.
However, sometimes delays do occur. If this happens to your order, please document and contact us promptly following our inspection and documentation policies above in order to receive credit.
Can I change or cancel my order after it is placed?
Orders can be changed or cancelled within 24 hours, subject to a 10% restocking fee. Shipping is stressful for the animals and we cannot open boxes once they have been prepped and packed.
Can you hold my order until my tank is ready?
We can hold for a few days, but not beyond a week as inventory changes rapidly. Please only place your order when you know you will be ready to receive them.
What if my order is missing something?
First, please check the box and packaging thoroughly. If you are sure an item is missing please contact us immediately.
Do you offer pickup on local orders?
Yes! Just specify local pickup as your shipping option in checkout and we'll let you know when it is ready.
What if a fish I receive seems dead, sick or doesn't look right?
97% of our orders arrive without an issue. But if something goes wrong, no worries! You're covered under our Healthy & Happy Arrival Guarantee