{"product_id":"green-terror-cichlid-andinoacara-rivulatus","title":"Green Terror Cichlid | Andinoacara rivulatus","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Green Terror is one of the most spectacular New World cichlids — mature males blaze with electric green-blue scaling, orange-edged fins and a bulging nuchal hump. It is gorgeous, but it earns the \"terror\": as it matures it becomes genuinely aggressive and territorial. Reaching around 20 cm, and occasionally up to 30 cm in dominant males, this is a bold centrepiece for a large, robust tank, not a community fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eDespite decades of being mislabelled, this is a South American, not Central American, cichlid. Andinoacara rivulatus comes from the Pacific-slope rivers of western Ecuador and northern Peru, from the Esmeraldas to the Tumbes drainages. These are warm-temperate coastal rivers that run noticeably cooler than most tropical tanks.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA stocky, deep-bodied cichlid covered in a mosaic of iridescent green and blue spangles, with a paler face marked by turquoise squiggles. Fins are often edged in white or fiery orange, and males develop a pronounced forehead hump and longer finnage with age. Females are smaller and less ornate.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAggressive and territorial, especially as it matures and when breeding. It is best kept singly, as a proven pair, or with other large, robust cichlids in a big tank with clear territories. It will bully or kill smaller, timid fish, so tankmates must be chosen carefully.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA hearty omnivore leaning carnivorous. Feed quality cichlid pellets as a staple, supplemented with frozen and live foods such as prawn, mussel, earthworm and the occasional insect. Avoid excessive mammalian meats. Vary the diet for the best colour and condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide a large aquarium of at least 250 litres for one, and more for a pair or community. Strong filtration, robust decor and secure rockwork are essential, as this fish rearranges its surroundings. Importantly, it prefers cooler water than most tropicals — around 20–25 °C — with clean, well-oxygenated conditions and regular water changes.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA substrate-spawning, biparental cichlid that breeds readily once a compatible pair forms. The pair cleans a flat rock, lays several hundred eggs, and both parents fiercely guard the eggs and free-swimming fry. Expect heightened aggression toward everything else in the tank during breeding.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAndinoacara rivulatus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGreen Terror Cichlid\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePacific-slope rivers of Ecuador and northern Peru, South America\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20–30 cm (males largest)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7–10 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAggressive (territorial)\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\u003e350+ litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore (pellets, frozen and live foods)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20–25 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.5–8.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5–20 dGH (soft to hard)\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, robust 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\u003eNo (digs and may uproot plants)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOther large, robust cichlids of similar temperament — larger Central and South American cichlids, big plecos and other tough fish that can hold their own, in a suitably large tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSmall, peaceful or long-finned fish, timid species, and anything that will be seen as food or a rival. Not a community fish.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232807174435,"sku":null,"price":20.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232807207203,"sku":"AA2012","price":25.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232807239971,"sku":null,"price":30.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-25cm)","offer_id":55351965974819,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Green_Terror_2ff31492-d845-45b0-b944-76062c689ac2.jpg?v=1781699432","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/green-terror-cichlid-andinoacara-rivulatus","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}