Green Terror, lat. Andinoacara rivulatus- Andinoacara rivulatus distribution
Family: Cichlidae;
Genus: Andinoacara;
Species and synonyms: Green Terror (Andinoacara rivulatus, Aequidens rivulatus, Green Terror, Acará-verde, Goldsaumbuntbarsch).
GBIF:
Green Terror (lat. Andinoacara rivulatus) is a species of ray-finned fish from the order Cichliformes, family Cichlidae, genus Andinoacara. One of the brightest and most popular South American cichlids in the aquarium hobby.
Distribution. The natural range of the Green Terror covers rivers and streams of Ecuador and Peru, mainly the Tumbes River basin. The fish prefer clear, well-oxygenated waters with rocky or sandy bottoms, often found in the foothills of the Andes.
Care requirements. The Green Terror is a large cichlid that grows up to 15–20 cm in the aquarium and up to 30 cm in the wild. To keep a pair or a group, an aquarium of at least 200 liters with a length of 120 cm is recommended. Optimal water parameters: temperature 22–28°C, hardness 5–15 dGH, pH 6.5–8.0. Powerful filtration, good aeration and weekly water changes of 20–25% are necessary. Sandy or fine gravel substrate, large stones, driftwood and shelters are placed at the bottom. Plants should have tough leaves or be potted.
Green Terrors are omnivorous, feeding on small fish, invertebrates and vegetation in the wild. In the aquarium, their diet should consist of high-quality pellets for cichlids, live and frozen foods (bloodworms, shrimp, mussels, fish), as well as plant components (spirulina, blanched vegetables). It is important to vary the diet and avoid overfeeding. Feed should be 1–2 times a day in small portions.
In the aquarium, Green Terrors are active in the middle and lower water layers. They are territorial and aggressive, especially during spawning. It is recommended to keep them in pairs or in groups with a predominance of females. Recommended tankmates include other large cichlids of comparable size, large catfish. It is not recommended to keep them with small or slow-moving fish, as well as with veiltail forms.
Breeding in home aquariums is possible under proper conditions. Green Terrors are substrate spawners: they lay eggs on flat stones or in pre-dug pits. They reach sexual maturity at 10–12 months. To stimulate spawning, water changes with fresh water and a temperature increase of 1–2°C are recommended. The male and female form a stable pair and jointly care for the offspring. Fry are fed Artemia nauplii, microworms and fine dry food.
The Green Terror gets its name from its bright turquoise-green body coloration with a characteristic iridescent sheen. Males have brighter coloration and a pointed dorsal fin. Females have more subdued coloration and a more rounded body. Life expectancy is 10–15 years.
Blue Acara, lat. Andinoacara pulcher