The vibrant Green Terror Cichlid is a must-have fish for cichlid enthusiasts. This large, intelligent fish has a personality as striking as its bright colors and dramatic fins. Read on to learn everything about caring for Green Terror Cichlids in home aquariums.
Introduction to Green Terror Cichlids
The Green Terror Cichlid (Andinoacara rivulatus) is a popular freshwater species prized for its bright coloration and big personality. Native to South America, these fish get their name from their initial timid behavior that gives way to aggression as they mature.
Green Terrors make great additions to large cichlid tanks and radiate beauty with their pearlescent light green bodies and vibrant red-orange fins. They require a spacious tank with good filtration and some experience caring for aggressive cichlids. But their stunning appearance and engaging behaviors make the extra effort worthwhile!
Green Terror Cichlid Habitat and Appearance
In the wild, Green Terror Cichlids inhabit slow moving rivers, streams, and lakes in tropical South America. They prefer soft, acidic waters with plenty of rocky crevices for shelter. Bright lighting brings out their most intense coloration.
Mature Green Terror Cichlids reach up to 10 inches long with an oval shaped body and pointed fins. Their base body color is light green to silver. Eight black vertical bars run the length of their bodies for camouflage. Vibrant red or orange horizontal stripes mark their dorsal and anal fins.
Green Terror Cichlid Behavior and Temperament
Green Terrors are highly intelligent fish with big personalities. They become very interactive with their owners, even learning to accept hand feeding in some cases! But they are also aggressive territorial fish, especially as they reach maturity.
Green Terrors establish well-defined territories with specific landmarks. They will aggressively defend these areas from other fish. It’s critical to provide lots of broken lines of sight and caves when housing Green Terrors with other species. Never house them with small or docile tankmates.
Despite their name, Green Terrors display fascinating parental care behaviors. Both the male and female diligently tend to eggs and fry. The parents Even swiftly usher the fry into the safety of pits and caves at any sign of danger!
Feeding Green Terror Cichlids
Green Terrors are primarily carnivorous in the wild, feeding on smaller fish, insects, and crustaceans. They require a varied diet rich in protein in captivity for optimal health and coloration.
Offer foods like:
- Cichlid pellets and flakes
- Frozen foods including shrimp, krill, and bloodworms
- Live foods like crickets and earthworms
- Chopped seafood like mussels, clams, squid
Supplement their diet with vegetable matter like spinach and spirulina powder as well. Feed juveniles 2-3 small meals daily and adults 1-2 larger meals.
Breeding Green Terror Cichlids
Green Terrors are open breeders that spawn on flat rocks. Trigger spawning by performing large weekly water changes. The pair will cleaning the rock vigorously before the female lays up to 1000 eggs.
The parents will guard the eggs until they hatch in 3-5 days. The tiny fry are slow growers that require infusoria, powdered fry foods, and frequent feedings for several weeks. But the diligent parents make rearing the fry relatively easy.
Common Diseases for Green Terror Cichlids
Green Terrors are hardy fish when provided with clean water and a proper diet. However, they are prone to some parasitic infections:
Ich: Common protozoan parasite that causes small white dots over body and fins. Treat with increased temperatures and anti-parasitic medications.
Hexamita: Hole in the Head disease that creates pitting on head and face. Treat with metronidazole and clean water.
Pay close attention to your Green Terror’s appearance and behaviors to catch any disease early. Quarantine new fish and perform regular partial water changes to maintain good water quality.
Concluding Thoughts on Green Terror Care
With proper habitat setup, tankmates, and care routines, the gorgeous Green Terror Cichlid can thrive in home aquariums. Their emerald bodies and fiery fins make them shining stars of any freshwater tank. Just be prepared for their moderate care needs and feisty personalities! Let us know if you have any other questions about keeping Green Terror Cichlids.
