This is it!
What a drop dead gorgeous fish to watch! The Ivanacara adoketa or Zebra acara is my favorite dwarf cichlid next to the Apistogramma genus! It originates from Rio Vauapés and Rio Preto, two side rivers of the Rio Negro of Amazonas state, in northwestern Brazil. It appears to be endemic to middle and upper parts of the Negro system.
Ivanacara adoketa inhabits rainforest streams and minor tributaries during the dry season. The dense canopy of branches above let very little light penetrates the water surface and with marginal vegetation also tending to grow thickly. The water itself is typically stained dark brown with humic acids and other chemicals released by decaying leaves and other organic material. The dissolved mineral content is generally negligible, and the PH can be as low as 3.0 or 4.0. The substrate is usually littered with fallen leaves, branches and submerged tree roots. Notes to take on how to decorate your aquarium for this species. To replicate this use floating plants and a dense lighting.
Another thing to consider is to try to replicate seasoning.
Because such habitats undergo dramatic shifts in structure and availabiity during the wet season when water levels rise, often by several metres, allowing resident fishes to move into the flooded forest to feed and spawn.
This can be done with a low flow wavemaker to put in the midsection or lower of the aquarium. But only during the “rain season”. Then take it out. This will make the leaves on the sandy bottom move around and change the layout. Maybe also move out some branches during the “rain season”. If you do this they will be much easier to get to spawn which this cichlid is known for being somewhat difficult.
The same goes for the addition of dried leaf litter like beech, oak or Ketapang almond leaves are suitable and would further emphasise the natural feel and with it the growth of beneficial microbe colonies as decomposition occurs. These can provide a valuable secondary food source for the fry, whilst the tannins and other chemicals released by the decaying leaves will aid in the simulation of a black water environment. The leaves can be left in the aquarium to break down fully or removed and replaced every other 8 weeks.
For vegetation use plants such as Microsorum, Taxiphyllum, Cryptocoryne and Anubias. And as for filtration I use an air powered sponge or an air powered movingbed filter from Zeiss. It keeps the flow low and it’s the best filtration to use in my mind for tanks under 540 liters or 150 gallons. Then it’s best with a sump preferably, otherwise an external pump from either Eheim or Oase brands. Mind you, this is my personal experience and opinion. Some other may say other brands, but I stick to what I know works for me and my tanks.
This species can reach a length of 10 centimetres (4 inches). So it’s not that small but still a dwarf cichlid. This species prefers a PH between 4.0 and 5.0, and a temperature between 22 and 28° Celsius or 71.6 and 82° Fahrenheit.
This is a pair living species. Two males will show aggressions and fight and one will probably die or get severely injured. You can have more then one female to let them pair-out, but it’s in the end to keep them as a pair only.
A good tank size is 80 cm in length and sides (deep x tall) should be 40 cm, 32x16x16 inches, gives you a tank size of 128 liters or 35 gallons. Bigger is better. I’m thinking 90x50x40 cm, 36x20x16 inches, that’s a 180 liter or 50 gallon aquarium. It’s a small fish but they need the space to thrive as it moves around during seasons in the wild.
Chiefly a predator feeding on small aquatic crustaceans, worms, insect larvae and other zooplanktons. It can be a little picky in the aquarium and initially may not accept dried or otherwise prepared foods. The species should be offered daily meals of small live or frozen fare such as Artemia nauplii, Daphnia, Grindal worm and Micro worm etc. in order to develop ideal colour and conditioning.
Given its rarity in the hobby, the emphasis should ideally be on captive reproduction and I strongly recommend maintaining it alone. However if you do intend to house it in a community, tankmates must be chosen with care. It’s a slow-moving fish with a retiring nature and will easily be intimidated or outcompeted for food by larger and more boisterous tankmates. Peaceful, pelagic characins from genuses such as Hyphessobrycon, Copella or Nannostomus make good choices as do diminutive (means very tiny) Corydoras catfishes & 7-10 cm, 3-4 inch Plecos as well.
Please enjoy this dwarf cichlid, if you can get ahold of it! It’s a pure joy to own!
Cheers!
The Aquatic Studio! 
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