Green terror
Andinoacara rivulatus
Parameter dashboard
20-24 °C
6.5-8
30 cm
10 years
Care guide
The green terror (Andinoacara rivulatus) is a large, striking cichlid native to coastal drainages of western Ecuador and extreme northern Peru. Males can reach up to 30 cm in length and develop a prominent nuchal hump with age, along with elongated dorsal and anal fin extensions that females lack. The body exhibits an iridescent turquoise-green sheen over a darker base, with a distinctive orange or gold margin on the caudal fin — the source of its German common name "Goldsaumbuntbarsch." In the wild it inhabits streams and rivers with sandy substrates, and an aquarium of at least 200L with a 150 cm length is recommended. The tank should feature a soft sandy substrate, driftwood, and large flat rocks for potential spawning sites, with robust plants like Anubias attached to hardscape to avoid uprooting. This species is aggressive and territorial, particularly when breeding, and is best maintained as a single specimen or a bonded pair. Do not assume two newly introduced adults will form a compatible pair; monitor their interactions and be ready to separate them. It is sensitive to deteriorating water quality and requires excellent filtration with regular maintenance. The green terror is omnivorous, accepting a quality cichlid staple supplemented with live and frozen foods such as earthworms, prawns, and mussels, along with vegetable matter.
Source
Further reading on identification and aquarium care.
Tankmate compatibility (sample)
Pairwise screening against other species in the database (prioritizing the same family when data is available).
Review first (12)
Caution or avoid from automated rules — confirm before mixing.
| Species | Assessment | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blue acara Andinoacara pulcher Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · Multiple territorial species in the same swim layer cause stress · close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space Open pair in Compare → |
| Greenstreaked eartheater Biotodoma cupido Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · Multiple territorial species in the same swim layer cause stress · the two share only a narrow band of temperature, so one of them sits at the edge of its range · close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space Open pair in Compare → |
| Humphead cichlid Cyphotilapia frontosa Caution | Caution | Multiple territorial species in the same swim layer cause stress · Species with non-overlapping pH ranges may not thrive together · the two share only a narrow band of temperature, so one of them sits at the edge of its range · close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space Open pair in Compare → |
| Leleupi Cichlid Neolamprologus leleupi Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · Multiple territorial species in the same swim layer cause stress · the two share only a narrow band of temperature, so one of them sits at the edge of its range · close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space Open pair in Compare → |
| Red Spotted Severum Heros efasciatus Caution | Caution | Multiple territorial species in the same swim layer cause stress · the two share only a narrow band of temperature, so one of them sits at the edge of its range · close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space Open pair in Compare → |
| Umbrella cichlid Apistogramma borellii Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space Open pair in Compare → |
| Biajaca Nandopsis tetracanthus Avoid | Avoid | Multiple territorial species in the same swim layer cause stress · Species with non-overlapping temperature ranges cannot coexist · the two share only a narrow band of temperature, so one of them sits at the edge of its range · close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space Open pair in Compare → |
| Bolivian Ram Mikrogeophagus altispinosus Avoid | Avoid | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · Multiple territorial species in the same swim layer cause stress · Species with non-overlapping temperature ranges cannot coexist · the two share only a narrow band of temperature, so one of them sits at the edge of its range · close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space Open pair in Compare → |
| Electric blue ram Mikrogeophagus ramirezi Avoid | Avoid | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · Multiple territorial species in the same swim layer cause stress · Species with non-overlapping temperature ranges cannot coexist · the two share only a narrow band of temperature, so one of them sits at the edge of its range · close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space Open pair in Compare → |
| Freshwater angelfish Pterophyllum scalare Avoid | Avoid | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · Multiple territorial species in the same swim layer cause stress · Species with non-overlapping temperature ranges cannot coexist · the two share only a narrow band of temperature, so one of them sits at the edge of its range · close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space Open pair in Compare → |
| Pearly calvus Altolamprologus calvus Avoid | Avoid | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · Species with non-overlapping temperature ranges cannot coexist · the two share only a narrow band of temperature, so one of them sits at the edge of its range · close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space Open pair in Compare → |
| Rainbow krib Pelvicachromis pulcher Avoid | Avoid | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · Multiple territorial species in the same swim layer cause stress · Species with non-overlapping temperature ranges cannot coexist · the two share only a narrow band of temperature, so one of them sits at the edge of its range · close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space Open pair in Compare → |
Same rule engine as Compare. Not a substitute for observation, tank size, or acclimation.
Related species
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