Green Terror

Geographic Origin and Biotope: Trans-Andean South America. Comes from the clear, cool and well-oxygenated coastal waters of Ecuador and northwestern Peru (Esmeraldas and Tumbes rivers). Does not inhabit the Amazon tropical rainforest.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Green Terror. A large formidable Cichlid (moved from the genus Aequidens to the new Andinoacara). Impressive and massive build, capable of reaching 30 cm (12 inches) in nature (often 20-25 cm / 8-10 inches in captivity). Very powerful jaws.

Social Behavior: The name "Green Terror" perfectly describes the extreme territorial aggressiveness of this fish. Dominant males are intolerant beasts that will take possession of the entire tank, systematically terrorizing and injuring other inmates. Keeping a single established pair is recommended.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Hypnotic livery: dark back and flanks of a blinding iridescent emerald green/light blue metallic. A black spot stands out in the center of the flank. The fins are wide and bordered by a very thick neon orange (or white) band. Males develop a huge nuchal hump.

Aquarium Setup: Requires immense aquariums to mitigate its aggressiveness (minimum 150 cm / 5 feet / 400 liters for a pair). Furnish with large heavy immovable rocks and large logs. They dig colossal holes: the bottom must be sandy. They will destroy any plant you try to insert.

Diet and Feeding: Omnivorous predator. Will devour anything that falls into the water. Feed with large sinking pellets for carnivorous cichlids, shelled shrimp (krill), earthworms, pieces of fish and occasionally blanched peas for the intestine. Has a very high metabolism.

Water Quality: The water must be surprisingly cool: 20-25°C (68-77°F). They tolerate the torrid Amazonian waters very badly, which shortens their life and triggers pathological aggression. Medium-hard water (GH 5-20) and neutral/alkaline pH (6.5-8.0). Require gigantic filters (oversized).

Compatibility and Tankmates: Terrible tankmate. Will murder any fish small enough to be eaten and will attack large fish. Cohabits (in tanks over 600 liters / 150 gallons) only with armored fish like large Panaque or fish capable of defending themselves fiercely (Oscars, Jack Dempsey).

Aquarium Reproduction: Open substrate spawners. The pair lays up to 400 eggs on a smooth stone. During parental care, aggressiveness reaches its absolute peak: they will violently attack the glass if the breeder approaches, and can even bite hands and siphons until they bleed.

Risks and Diseases: Susceptible to hole in the head disease (Hexamita) if water hygiene declines due to their massive diet. Often commercial hybridization has weakened them. The real risk is buying them as 5cm juveniles without understanding their real size and destructive fury.