Description
Laetacara araguaiae is a lovely and somewhat rare species from the Rio Araguaia in eastern Brazil. Barely reaching 2", these are a real dwarf cichlid. They have a tan base colour and males have a powder-blue and gold body colour and finnage. The common name of "smiling acara" for cichlids in the genus Laetacara comes from the dark marking these species possess on the lips and around the mouth; these markings make it appear as if they are smiling. This is a peaceful and somewhat shy species that does best with schools of smaller fish as 'dithers' to make them comfortable.