Why is my Green Terror turning dark or black?

Darkening in Green Terrors is often a sign of stress, poor water quality, or submissive behaviour in the presence of a more dominant fish. It can also occur temporarily during intense breeding displays.

How fast do Green Terrors grow?

They grow at a moderate pace. While they may quickly reach 10-12 cm in their first year, their growth slows down significantly after that, often taking two to three years to reach their full adult size.

Can I keep a Green Terror with an Oscar?

It is possible but risky. Both are large, territorial cichlids. Success requires a very large aquarium (500+ litres) with plenty of visual barriers, and ideally, they should be raised together from a young age.

How do I tell males and females apart?

Adult males are generally larger, have more vibrant metallic colouration, display longer extensions on their dorsal and anal fins, and typically develop a distinct nuchal hump on their forehead. Females are smaller and rounder.

Why is my Green Terror digging up all the gravel?

Digging is a natural behaviour for many South American cichlids. They dig to search for food, create a nesting pit for breeding, or simply to rearrange their territory. Using a soft sand substrate is safer for their gills when they dig.

FreshwaterTropicalIntermediate

Green Terror

Andinoacara rivulatus

A large, fiercely territorial but breathtakingly beautiful South American cichlid, famous for its iridescent scales and vividly coloured fin margins.

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Ideal Conditions

Temperature: 20 – 25 °C
pH range: 6.5 – 8
Hardness: 5 – 25 dGH
Adult size: 20 – 30 cm
250L for a single specimen, 450L+ for a pair or community: 250 litres+
Lifespan: 7 – 10 years
Diet: Omnivorous
Water flow: moderate
Preferred setup: Soft sandy substrate with large smooth rocks, robust driftwood, and well-secured or floating plants. Avoid small, easily swallowed gravel.

About the Green Terror

The Green Terror is one of the most iconic New World cichlids. Despite its intimidating moniker, its vibrant metallic blue-green scaling and impressive adult size make it a highly sought-after centrepiece. Adult males develop a prominent nuchal hump on their heads, adding to their robust, commanding appearance. While frequently sold under the 'Green Terror' name, the fish most commonly encountered in the hobby is actually the 'Gold Saum' variant of Andinoacara rivulatus.

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Is it right for your tank?

Check Green Terror against a habitat you already keep. We compare water type, temperature, pH, adult size, group needs and everything living there.

Where Green Terror comes from

Native range

South America, Pacific slopes of the Andes

Countries / regions

Ecuador, Peru

Habitat

Inhabits the coastal drainages and river basins on the Pacific slopes, found in environments ranging from still, turbid backwaters to clearer, flowing streams.

Native ranges feature slightly cooler waters than typical Amazonian habitats.

Similar species

Blue Acara
Andinoacara pulcher
Electric Blue Acara
Andinoacara pulcher var.
Jack Dempsey
Rocio octofasciata
Texas Cichlid
Herichthys cyanoguttatus

We’re adding more full species guides as the catalogue grows.

Compatible tank mates

Reviewed guidance based on this species' recorded traits.

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Silver Dollar
Metynnis argenteus
Fast, robust schooling fish that serve as excellent dithers, occupying higher levels and generally ignoring cichlid territories.
Great
Sailfin Pleco
Pterygoplichthys gibbiceps
Large, heavily armoured bottom-dweller that can usually withstand the aggression of most large cichlids.
Great
Oscar
Astronotus ocellatus
Similar in size and temperament, but can lead to severe territorial disputes unless housed in a very large aquarium (500+ litres).
Compatible with caution
Jack Dempsey
Rocio octofasciata
Another aggressive Central American cichlid; requires substantial space and visual barriers to prevent fatal fighting.
Compatible with caution
Neon Tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
Far too small; will be treated as live food by an adult Green Terror.
Not recommended
Corydoras Catfish
Corydoras spp.
Too small and easily bullied. Their defensive spines can also cause fatal choking if the cichlid attempts to swallow them.
Not recommended

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