Green Terror Breeding Guide (Andinoacara rivulatus)

How to breed Andinoacara rivulatus: a biparental substrate spawner that cleans a flat rock, fertilises up to 400 eggs and guards free-swimming fry.

Overview

The Green Terror, Andinoacara rivulatus, is a South American cichlid from the Pacific drainages between the Tumbes River in Peru and the Esmeraldas River in Ecuador. It is a biparental substrate spawner and is bred at intermediate difficulty in the home aquarium. Males reach up to about 30 cm, while females mature at around 12 cm.

Sexing

Males grow substantially larger than females and develop a prominent nuchal hump when mature. Mature males also usually develop extended dorsal and anal fins, features that are lacking in females.

Conditioning

Condition a compatible pair on a varied diet so the female fills with eggs. The species accepts slightly soft, acidic water for spawning, with a pH of around 6.5 to 7.0.

Breeding Setup

Provide potential spawning sites within the pair's territory: a flat rock, a large flowerpot or an open area of substrate where a pit can be excavated. The pair selects a single site and cleans it thoroughly before spawning.

Spawning Behavior & Trigger

Spawning can be initiated by a large 30 to 50 percent water change with cooler water. The female lays a line of eggs and moves aside, allowing the male to follow and fertilise them; up to 400 eggs may be fertilised. Reported spawning temperature is around 24 degrees Celsius (75 degrees Fahrenheit).

Egg & Fry Care

The male defends the spawning site while the female tends the eggs, which hatch in around 3 to 4 days. The fry are moved to a pre-excavated pit and become free-swimming after a further 6 to 8 days. Free-swimming fry accept microworm, brine shrimp nauplii and powdered dry foods, and are usually left with the parents until brood care diminishes at around six weeks.

Common Challenges

This is an aggressive, territorial cichlid, and pair formation can be difficult and occasionally violent. Pairs may eat early spawns before becoming reliable parents, and the large adult size and high bioload demand a spacious, well-filtered tank.