Cichlid - Green Terror

Other Breeds

Keeshond   |   Palomino   |   Pig – Pot Bellied   |  

Alternative Name

Green Terror Scientific Name: Aequidens rivulatus

Basic Info

The Green Terror usually grows to a size of eight to nine inches, but may reach as long as a foot. There have been some reported cases of dwarf Green Terrors. These "dwarfs" only grow to five inches. Dwarf Green Terrors may really be stunted fish. A well-fed Terror will be very colorful, with varying stripes on its body. Female Green Terrors have a darker tone to their colors, and don't grow quite as large as the males, reaching a size of eight inches. Males develop humps on their heads when they mature as well. Lastly, they can also be sexed by the color of their fins. The female has green anal fins and the male has blue.

Health

The Green Terror will live best in a large tank at 70 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit. Slightly acidic water, which is moderately soft, will suite the Green Terror best. At high pH levels, it is especially prone to hole in the head disease. A pH of 6.5 to 7.5 is optional for the Green Terror. They can be picky eaters, requiring a small variety of foods. Being omnivores, they enjoy frozen foods, including shrimps, bloodworms, plankton, prime shrimp, and white bait, and green vegetables. They especially enjoy green peas. Cichlid pellets can also be fed. Young fish should be fed two to three times a day, and adults are fed one to two times a day. Breeding The Green Terror is commonly bred in captivity, and it is not considered difficult. At a size of four to five inches, Green Terrors will breed. They are easiest to breed when they are still young. The female will look for a small cave with a flat rock on which to lay her eggs. Green Terrors are great parents. They tend to both the eggs and fry, and will defend their young from predators.

Habitat

Fresh water fish - usually found in caves and open areas

Behavior

The Green Terror, often confused with Blue Acara, can make a beautiful addition to any aquarium. Not only does it have an intriguing name, but also it is a colorful and hardy breed. The name, Green Terror, can be deceitful. While moderately aggressive, it will not attack every fish, given proper conditions. Unless your attempting to breed the Green Terror, you should not keep more than two in one tank. If there is more than one in a tank, Green Terror's will often fight. However, it lives well with several other fish. Oscars, silver dollars, Gars, Plecostomus, Large Pacus, and other similarly sized cichlids will get along quite well with Green Terrors. A Green Terror should not be kept with any African Cichlids once they reach adulthood. African Cichlids tend to be less aggressive and smaller, so they are often picked on. It should be noted that some Green Terrors are more aggressive than others. There are some that can only be kept individually. One user reported that many Green Terrors would turn even the aggressive Pacu into mincemeat! For this reason it is a good idea to watch any newly introduced fish with your Green Terror. They should have roughly 100 to 150 liters to themselves, and there home should include decorations such as plastic plants, rocks, and driftwood. If live plants are used, they should be placed in pots so the Green Terror doesn't dig up the roots.

Origin

South America

History

Green Terrors are found in South America, most common in Peru and Ecuador. There are at least two subspecies, the gold saum, and the white saum. In a natural environment, the Green Terror is usually found in caves and open areas.

Common Foods

N/A