All fish / Cichlidae

Chocolate Cichlid

Hypselecara temporalis

Also known as emerald cichlid, red chocolate cichlid, temporalis cichlid, chocolate severum, hypselecara temporalis red, ヒプセレカラ・テンポラリス, チョコレートシクリッド, 巧克力慈鲷, 红巧克力

A large, high-backed cichlid whose colour ranges from olive green and chocolate brown to deep red in mature or breeding fish, with a dark blotch on the body and a spot near the tail. It is valued as a calmer alternative to many big South American cichlids, and individual fish are known for showing a lot of personality towards their owners.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

25 cm

Temperature

25 to 30 °C

pH

5.5 to 7.5

Smallest tank

400 litres

Keep as

Single specimen or a pair; can live with similar-sized peaceful cichlids

Diet

Omnivore: quality cichlid pellets, prawns, earthworms, insect larvae and some plant matter such as peas

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

10 to 15 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Amazon basin in Brazil, Peru and Colombia; also the Guianas

Breeding

A substrate spawner that forms pairs and lays eggs on a cleaned flat stone or root, with both parents guarding the eggs and fry. Breeding happens in captivity but is not common, mostly because pairs need space and soft, warm water.

Good to know

Grows to around 25 to 30 cm, so it needs a big tank with good filtration and frequent water changes. It will eat small fish and can become territorial when breeding, and young fish are often confused with severums.