How to catch Black acara
Cichlasoma bimaculatum (Linnaeus, 1758)
About Black acara fishing
The black acara is a tropical freshwater cichlid native to South American river basins featuring a stout, compressed body shape, a dark gray to beige hue, and distinctive lateral and caudal markings. Growing to a moderate size, this benthic inhabitant thrives in slow-flowing waters, swamps, and densely vegetated canals where it exhibits high tolerance for low oxygen levels. As a generalist omnivore, it feeds on small crustaceans, insect larvae, snails, and aquatic vegetation while living in pairs or small groups. Both parents fiercely guard their substrate-spawned young, contributing to the species robust ecological presence. Anglers often target this resilient fish for its willingness to strike small offerings in shallow, disturbed habitats.
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Difficulty
Medium
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Average size
12 cm TL
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Habitat
Freshwater
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Season
Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
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Also known as
Brown acara, Congo patwa, Common patwa, Cuckoo wrasse, Port acara, Port cichlid
Lateral Spot
Prominent dark blotch on mid-body is characteristic of the black acara species.
Peduncle Spot
Distinct black spot on the upper base of the caudal fin.
Vertical Bars
Faint vertical dark bars stripe the upper flanks of the fish.
Black acara fishing facts
Characteristics
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Typical size
12 cm TL (max 12.3 cm SL ) -
Typical weight
0.2 kg (max 0 kg ) -
Body shape
Fusiform / Normal -
Vulnerability score
33
Best hours
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Low
Dawn
First light
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Peak
Morning
After sunrise
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Active
Midday
High sun
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Peak
Afternoon
Late day
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Low
Dusk
Last light
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Low
Night
After dark
When to fish for Black acara
How to catch Black acara
Tips for catching Black acara
Target shallow, slow-moving canals, drainage ditches, and rocky margins where these cichlids seek shelter and feed on benthic invertebrates. Light float fishing or bottom ledgering using small sections of worms or insect larvae yields consistent results, as the fish readily accepts natural baits presented near the bottom structure. When using artificial options, ultra-light spinning gear equipped with small spoons or soft plastic jigs worked slowly along the substrate can provoke aggressive strikes. Concentrate your efforts during daylight hours, particularly through the warmer months when feeding activity peaks.
Other names for Black acara
Local and alternate names anglers use for Black acara.
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Black acara
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Twospot cichlid
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Port cichlid
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Port acara
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Cuckoo wrasse
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Common patwa
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Congo patwa
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Brown acara
Best equipment to catch Black acara
Compare fishing methods for Black acara — sized kit for each technique.
Note: Typical fish is 0.2 kg Our algorithm will suggest the best equipment for you based on this weight.
Float Fishing
Suspending bait beneath a float at a controlled depth.
80% Effectiveness
Rod
Float rod
A float rod is the all-round fishing rod for a float in rivers and still water, a step down in length from match.
Sized for a typical fish
light · 3.6 m
- Reel seat
- Spinning
- Form factor
- Multi-piece
- Action
- Moderate
- Grip
- Cork
Reel
Spinning reel
A spinning reel hangs under the fishing rod and is the default reel for casting lures and light baits. Line peels off an open spool with a bail.
Sized for a typical fish
1000 · 3 kg drag · 185 g
- Spool
- Fixed
- Mount
- Under
- Drag
- Front
- Retrieve
- Manual
Line
Monofilament line
Monofilament fishing line is the everyday main line: easy to knot, cheap to replace, and stretchy enough to forgive a hard strike.
Sized for a typical fish
1.3 kg · 0.125 mm
- Visibility
- Medium
- Abrasion
- Medium
- Stretch
- High
- Sink rate
- Slow
Hook
J-hook
A J-hook is the classic J-bend fishing hook for bait. You set it with a strike. Sizes are tokens such as 12 or 1/0.
Sized for a typical fish
12
- Points
- 1
- Offset
- No
- Barbed
- Yes
- Gap
- Standard
Float
Waggler
A waggler is a bottom-only attachment float for stillwaters and slow rivers. You shot it down and watch the antenna.
Sized for a typical fish
4 g
- Attachment
- Fixed
- Habitats
- Freshwater
- Methods
- Float Fishing
Bottom Fishing
Presenting bait or rigs on or near the lake or sea floor.
70% Effectiveness
Rod
Spinning rod
A spinning rod is a fishing rod built to carry a spinning reel under the blank. You cast lures and light baits with it from shore or a boat.
Sized for a typical fish
ultralight · 1.8 m
- Reel seat
- Spinning
- Form factor
- Multi-piece
- Action
- Fast
- Grip
- EVA
Reel
Spinning reel
A spinning reel hangs under the fishing rod and is the default reel for casting lures and light baits. Line peels off an open spool with a bail.
Sized for a typical fish
1000 · 3 kg drag · 185 g
- Spool
- Fixed
- Mount
- Under
- Drag
- Front
- Retrieve
- Manual
Line
Monofilament line
Monofilament fishing line is the everyday main line: easy to knot, cheap to replace, and stretchy enough to forgive a hard strike.
Sized for a typical fish
1.3 kg · 0.125 mm
- Visibility
- Medium
- Abrasion
- Medium
- Stretch
- High
- Sink rate
- Slow
Leader
Fluorocarbon leader
A fluorocarbon leader is the clear, fast-sinking join between a visible main line and the lure or hook.
Sized for a typical fish
4 kg · 0.2 mm · 80 cm
- Visibility
- Very low
- Abrasion
- High
- Stretch
- Low
- Sink rate
- Fast
Hook
Circle hook
A circle hook turns in the mouth and usually finds the corner of the jaw. You do not strike hard — you come tight. It includes freshwater.
Sized for a typical fish
4
- Points
- 1
- Offset
- No
- Barbed
- Yes
- Gap
- Standard
Spinning
Casting and retrieving lures with a spinning rod and reel.
60% Effectiveness
Rod
Spinning rod
A spinning rod is a fishing rod built to carry a spinning reel under the blank. You cast lures and light baits with it from shore or a boat.
Sized for a typical fish
ultralight · 1.8 m
- Reel seat
- Spinning
- Form factor
- Multi-piece
- Action
- Fast
- Grip
- EVA
Reel
Spinning reel
A spinning reel hangs under the fishing rod and is the default reel for casting lures and light baits. Line peels off an open spool with a bail.
Sized for a typical fish
1000 · 3 kg drag · 185 g
- Spool
- Fixed
- Mount
- Under
- Drag
- Front
- Retrieve
- Manual
Line
Braided line
Braided fishing line is the thin, no-stretch main for long casts, jigging, and feeling every tick on the retrieve.
Sized for a typical fish
6 kg · 0.1 mm
- Visibility
- High
- Abrasion
- Low
- Stretch
- None
- Sink rate
- Floats
Leader
Fluorocarbon leader
A fluorocarbon leader is the clear, fast-sinking join between a visible main line and the lure or hook.
Sized for a typical fish
7 kg · 0.3 mm · 90 cm
- Visibility
- Very low
- Abrasion
- High
- Stretch
- Low
- Sink rate
- Fast
Best lures and baits for Black acara
Ranked lures and natural baits from every method, best first.
01
Worm
- Float Fishing
- Bottom Fishing
Rounded anterior end containing the mouth used for anchoring the bait on the hook.
03
Soft worm
- Spinning
A long soft worm for Texas, wacky, and ned-style spinning.
Where Black acara spends the year — Non-migratory
Stays in the same waters year-round. Look for it on the same grounds rather than timing a run.
1 Eggs
Same water all year
Laid on the home grounds.
2 Juveniles
Same water all year
Grow up close by.
3 Adults
Same water all year
Keep to a small home range.
4 Spawners
Same water all year
Spawn on the same grounds, with only short moves.
Hover or tap a number to read each stage.
Diet and behavior of Black acara
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Diet
Carnivore -
Hunts
Morning · Afternoon
Prey and predators of Black acara
Prey is what Black acara eats. Predators are the animals that eat it.
That is how it feeds, and how it is hunted.
Predators
What hunts it
Fish
Where Black acara lives
Lives near the bottom but swims in the water just above it. Cover the lower column, not only the mud.
Where this species lives
Black acara photos for identification
Compare these photos with the catalog plate to identify the species.