{"product_id":"chocolate-cichlid-hypselecara-temporalis","title":"Chocolate Cichlid | Hypselecara temporalis","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Chocolate Cichlid is a big-eyed, deep-bodied gentle giant that flushes a warm chocolate-brown and red. Reaching around 25–30 cm, it is remarkably peaceful for its size — a soft, calm presence that adds real character to a large South American tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eNative to the Amazon basin of South America, across Brazil, Peru and Colombia. It lives in slow, soft, acidic blackwater and flooded forest margins among submerged wood and leaf litter, in warm, dimly lit water stained by tannins.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA tall, laterally compressed cichlid with a distinctive large eye and small mouth. The body is warm brown, often washed with brick-red and marked with darker blotching that shifts with mood. Colour deepens with maturity and during courtship, when the reds become especially rich.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eGentle and easy-going for a large cichlid, and generally tolerant of dissimilar tankmates. It can be territorial toward its own kind and while breeding, so give it space. Its calm nature suits a community of other peaceful large South Americans.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn omnivore with a modest mouth. Offer quality cichlid pellets and flake alongside frozen and live foods such as prawn, mysis, earthworm and bloodworm, plus some vegetable matter. Vary the diet and avoid overfeeding this heavy-bodied fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA large, waste-producing fish that needs a spacious, well-filtered tank of at least 250–300 litres with soft, warm, slightly acidic water. Provide bogwood, smooth boulders and a sand substrate, keep lighting subdued and stay on top of water changes.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA biparental substrate spawner. Compatible pairs clean a flat rock or wood surface and both parents tend the eggs and guard the fry, becoming more territorial while breeding. Fry accept crushed flake and baby brine shrimp once free-swimming.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHypselecara temporalis\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eChocolate Cichlid\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSouth America (Amazon basin)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e25–30 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10–15 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSemi-aggressive (peaceful for its size)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e250 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e300+ litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e25–30 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5.5–7.3\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2–12 dGH (soft to medium)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLarge South American cichlid aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMostly (may dig, especially when breeding)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOther peaceful large South Americans such as severums, geophagus eartheaters and angelfish, plus robust catfish and large peaceful characins.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eVery aggressive cichlids, and small fish that may be seen as food or that will out-compete this slow, gentle feeder.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232808747299,"sku":"BA9239","price":32.49,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232808780067,"sku":"AA1509","price":40.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232808812835,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-25cm)","offer_id":55351966236963,"sku":null,"price":50.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Chocolate_Cichlid_4-7cm_9e78c66e-eec3-4d44-93a5-57f7159bad94.jpg?v=1781699406","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/chocolate-cichlid-hypselecara-temporalis","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}