Not furry, but we like them anyway.
Uaru
Uaru amphiacanthoides Heckel, 1840
Also called Triangle cichlid
From South America: the Amazon basin in Brazil (Amazon-Solimoes from the Japura to the Tapajos River and the middle and lower Rio Negro), with records from Guyana.12
A friendly guide, not veterinary advice. For anything about your pet's health, ask your vet.
At a glance the quick version
Looks how to spot one
Large, disc-shaped cichlid
A big, high-backed, laterally flattened cichlid with a rounded, almost triangular profile. Males and females look alike.23
Personality what they are like
Gentle and sociable for a large cichlid; it lives happily with tetras, angelfish and larger characins that like warm water.2
Daily activity how busy a day looks
A calm cruiser that spends its time around submerged branches and roots and browsing for food.21
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Keep the water clean, warm and soft; use hardy or artificial decor as it eats most live plants.2
Home where they are happiest
Warm, soft, acidic water of about 26 to 30 C, pH 5.0 to 7.0 and up to around 5-12 dH; a pair needs at least 120 x 45 cm (about 200 litres) with sand and bogwood.12
Food basics what goes in the bowl
Omnivore with a strong plant leaning; give plenty of vegetable foods along with small invertebrates such as worms and crustaceans.21
Company who they like around
A peaceful group or pair fish that fits a community of other warmth-loving, non-aggressive species.2
The story where it all began
Heckel described the uaru in 1840 from the Amazon. It is caught for food by local people and is also an established fish in the ornamental trade.13
Fun facts for the dinner table
Recognised by the official bits
- IUCN Red List
- Least Concern (assessed 7 November 2018)1
- Taxonomy
- Described by Heckel in 1840; family Cichlidae1
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Uaru. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- FeedingSmall amounts once or twice a dayevery day
- Temperature checkevery day
- Water changeAbout 25% of the waterevery week
- Water testevery week
- Glass cleanevery week
- Filter rinseRinse in old tank water, never tap waterevery month
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Uaru?
Feed your Uaru small amounts once or twice daily. Furry Diary's starting plan suggests feeding every day with small portions. Adjust based on your fish's appetite and avoid overfeeding.2 Furry Diary plan
What does an Uaru eat, and what should it never eat?
Your Uaru enjoys a varied diet of vegetable foods and small invertebrates like worms and crustaceans. Avoid feeding anything that isn't suitable for an omnivorous fish; for specific unsafe foods, ask your vet or a good breeder.21
How much space does an Uaru need?
A pair of Uaru needs at least a 200-litre tank with a footprint of 120x45 cm. Provide plenty of swimming space and hiding spots with sand and bogwood.21
What temperature, light or water does an Uaru need?
Keep the water warm at 26-30°C, soft and acidic with pH 5-7 and hardness 5-12 dH. Use subdued lighting and provide bogwood and sand; avoid bright light as they prefer shaded areas.21
How often should I clean an Uaru's home?
Perform a 25% water change every week, test the water weekly, and clean the glass. Rinse the filter in old tank water once a month. Regular cleaning keeps your Uaru healthy. Furry Diary plan
Can an Uaru live with others?
Yes, Uaru are peaceful and sociable, fitting well in a community of other warm-water, non-aggressive species like tetras and angelfish. Keep them in a group or pair for best results.2
How long does an Uaru live?
Lifespan varies depending on care; ask your vet or a good breeder for typical expectations. With proper conditions, they can live many years.
Can I handle an Uaru?
Handling is not recommended for fish; they are delicate and stress easily. Observe and enjoy your Uaru in its tank without handling.
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Furry Diary's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
You might also like
Severum
Discus
Chocolate CichlidLike what we are building? Buy Archy a bone.
All of this is free for everyone, with a source on every fact, and it will never show annoying ads. It was a big job to build, so if it helped you, buy Archy a bone. Any amount is lovely, and no is a perfectly fine answer too.
Archy is our Australian Cattle Dog and chief taste tester. Tips go to 4V3D OÜ, the small family studio behind Furry Diary.
Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.
- FishBase: Uaru amphiacanthoides fishbase.seused for distribution, size, water parameters, IUCN, biology, trade
- Seriously Fish: Uaru amphiacanthoides seriouslyfish.comused for habitat, size, tank size, water, diet, behaviour, breeding
- Wikipedia: Uaru amphiacanthoides en.wikipedia.orgused for common names, size, food fish use
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding times and frequency for your dog vcahospitals.comused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Dog grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Cat grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
- RSPCA: What to feed your rabbit rspca.org.ukused for owner questions
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.