The Albino Heckelii (Acarichthys heckelii, often called the Albino Threadfin Acara) is a line-bred leucistic/albino color morph of the wild Threadfin Acara native to the Amazon and Essequibo river basins. Known for its flowing fin rays and pearlescent shine, it’s a favorite among South American cichlid enthusiasts.
Appearance: They lack black melanin, giving them a creamy pearl-to-pinkish body, striking yellow/orange hues across the head and belly, and classic red albino eyes. As they mature, the dorsal fin develops dramatic, long trailing extensions (filaments) that flush deep red or orange.
Size: Males typically reach 6–8 inches (15–20 cm) in captivity; females remain slightly smaller with shorter dorsal extensions.
Temperament: Surprisingly mild-mannered for a mid-sized South American cichlid. They are peaceful schooling/group fish when young and generally docile semi-aggressive cichlids as adults. They can be territorial toward their own species during spawning, but they usually ignore non-cichlid tankmates.
While the albino variant is captive-bred, its environmental needs closely mirror its wild South American ancestors:
Substrate & Setup: In nature, they inhabit slow-moving river bends, floodplains, and tributaries with soft, sandy bottoms and submerged driftwood. Fine sand is non-negotiable—they are eartheaters (benthophagous) that constantly sift mouthfuls of substrate through their gills to search for food.
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 78°F–84°F (25°C–29°C)
pH: 6.0–7.2 (Prefer soft to neutral, slightly acidic water)
Hardness: 2–10 dGH
Albino Heckelii are omnivorous micro-predators with a strong preference for animal protein and small benthic invertebrates.
| Food Category | Recommended Options | Purpose / Frequency |
| Staple Diets | High-quality sinking cichlid pellets or granules | Daily foundation (sinking food lets them feed off the substrate naturally) |
| Live / Frozen Foods | Bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia, mysis shrimp | 3–4 times a week for color development and growth |
| Proteins & Treats | Chopped krill, blackworms | Supplement for sub-adults and breeding pairs |
| Greens | Spirulina flakes, kelp-based pellets | Occasional inclusion to aid digestion |
Care Tip: Because of their albino eyes, they can be slightly sensitive to harsh, bright overhead lighting. Providing floating plants, leaf litter, or dimming the lights slightly will encourage them to come out and sift through the sand without stress.