Green Terror
Andinoacara rivulatus
Cichlidae
About
The green terror is a robust, iridescent cichlid from the Pacific-slope coastal rivers of western Ecuador and extreme northern Peru, where it patrols small to mid-sized streams over sand and rock. Reaching around 20-25 cm, with dominant males growing larger and developing a pronounced nuchal hump, it is powerful, intelligent and every bit as pugnacious as its name suggests. It digs constantly, rearranges decor and defends a large territory, so it demands careful stocking and a spacious tank.
Care
House a single fish or a bonded pair in a long tank of at least 300 L (150 cm base) with strong filtration, sand substrate and robust rockwork. Keep the water cooler at 20-25 C and expect aggression, so choose only large, equally sturdy tankmates or none at all.
Diet
Opportunistic predator that takes invertebrates and small fish in the wild. Staple on a quality cichlid pellet plus earthworms, prawns, mussel and mysis, with a little vegetable matter; avoid mammalian meats and control portions.
Tankmate compatibility
Possible with care (48)
Avoid (73)
Computed by the AquaSage engine for a spacious reference tank — always check the full verdict for your exact setup in the calculator.