All fish / Cichlidae

Green Terror

Andinoacara rivulatus

Also known as green terror cichlid, gold saum, goldsaum, white saum, silver saum, orange seam, aequidens rivulatus, green terror acara, rivulatus, gold seam, กรีนเทอเรอร์, green terror

A sturdy, high-backed cichlid with a metallic blue-green face and scale pattern, and males often show an orange or white edge to the dorsal and tail fins. Mature males grow a nuchal hump. It is kept for its bright colours, strong personality and the way it gets to know its owner.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Aggressive

Adult size

20 cm

Temperature

20 to 28 °C

pH

6.5 to 8

Smallest tank

300 litres

Keep as

Single specimen or a bonded pair

Diet

Omnivore: cichlid pellets, prawns, earthworms, insect larvae and some vegetable matter

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

8 to 10 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Pacific slope of Ecuador and northern Peru (Esmeraldas to Tumbes basins)

Breeding

It lays its eggs on a flat stone it has cleaned, and both parents guard the eggs and fry closely. Breeding is easy if you have a compatible pair, but the parents get very aggressive towards tankmates while they are guarding.

Good to know

Males can reach 25 cm or more and become territorial, so they only suit large tanks with robust tankmates. A similar species, Andinoacara stalsbergi from Peru, is often sold under the same name.