Green Terror (Andinoacara rivulatus) Care Guide
A strikingly colored South American cichlid with brilliant metallic green and blue scales and an orange-red edge on the tail fin. Despite its name, it can be kept with appropriately sized tank mates.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Andinoacara rivulatus is a species in the family Cichlidae. A strikingly colored South American cichlid with brilliant metallic green and blue scales and an orange-red edge on the tail fin. Despite its name, it can be kept with appropriately sized tank mates. Males develop a prominent nuchal hump with age.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Andinoacara
- Scientific name: Andinoacara rivulatus
- Other names: Gold Saum
- Origin: South America, Ecuador, Peru
Habitat
Andinoacara rivulatus is a robust cichlid from rivers and coastal drainages of western Ecuador and Peru. It inhabits slow to moderate freshwater and is a territorial, opportunistic predator on invertebrates and small fish; mature males develop a prominent nuchal hump.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 300 L
- Temperature: 22-28 °C
- pH: 6.5-8
- GH: 5-20 °dGH
- Water flow: moderate
- Adult size: 15-25 cm
- Lifespan: 8-12 years
- Difficulty: intermediate
Diet
Classified as omnivore. Recommended feeding frequency: 2x daily. In captivity, offer a varied diet appropriate to the species — quality prepared foods supplemented with frozen or live items of suitable size.
Compatibility
- Temperament: aggressive
- Position in tank: middle
- Compatible tank mates: Oscar, Jack Dempsey, Bristlenose Pleco, Silver Dollar
- Avoid with: Small Fish, Shrimp, Peaceful Community Fish
Breeding
- Breeding strategy: substrate-spawner
- Breeding difficulty: intermediate
Green Terror Breeding Guide (Andinoacara rivulatus)
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.