Introduction
The green terror (Andinoacara rivulatus) is a South American cichlid native to the Pacific coast of Ecuador and northern Peru. It is a popular species in aquaculture for its bright colors and distinctive behavior, but it can be aggressive, especially during breeding season.
Who is it?
Morphology
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Average size25 cm
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Maximum size30 cm
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ShapeOvoid
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Average size25 cm
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Maximum size30 cm
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ShapeOvoid
How to recognize This fish ?
The green terror can reach a maximum size of about 20 cm. It has a shiny green and blue coloration, often highlighted by an orange border on the dorsal and caudal fins. Adult males are usually larger than females and may develop a frontal hump.
Sexual dimorphism
Sexual dimorphism is prominent: males are larger, more colorful, and often develop a nuchal hump, while females remain smaller and less vivid in coloration.
Behaviour & Life cycle
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dietomnivorous
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Sociabilityliving as a couple or in a group
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territorialYes
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Way of livingdiurnal
It is a benthopelagic fish that lives in coastal and pre-mountain rivers. Omnivorous, it feeds on both invertebrates, small aquatic organisms, and plant matter. Territorial, the male defends a space where the female takes care of spawning and fry.
Reproduction
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Reproductionovipare qui pond sur substrat découvert
Andinoacara rivulatus is oviparous. The female lays up to 600 eggs on a hard substrate, which are then externally fertilized. Parental care is highly developed: the female guards the eggs and fry, while the male defends the territory. Exogenous feeding of the fry begins approximately 3 days after hatching, and the young take on the appearance of juveniles around 28 days.
Harmless species
This species poses no danger to humans.
Origin and distribution
Geographic distribution & Conservation
The species is naturally found in the basins of the Guayas, Santa Rosa, Zarumilla, and Tumbes rivers on the Pacific side of Ecuador and northern Peru, between 5 and 1,200 meters above sea level. It is replaced by Andinoacara blombergi in the Esmeraldas basin (Ecuador) and by A. stalsbergi south of the Tumbes basin (Peru). Introduced populations exist in Mexico and Indonesia. Like other introduced ornamental species, it can pose a risk to local ecosystems when released outside its natural range.
Conservation status of populations (IUCN)
What is its habitat?
Natural environment characteristics
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Temperature25 - 28 °C
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pH (acidity)6 - 7
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gh (hardness)5 - 10
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FlowSlow
Biotope presentation
This species frequents coastal and pre-mountain rivers, often with rocky or gravelly bottoms where it finds solid substrates for reproduction. It is generally found in freshwater with moderate currents.
Main recommendations for fishkeeping
Deontology
In order to preserve wildlife, if you acquire this animal, it must not be released into the wild. See also, the Fishipedia charter.
Fishipedia supports the practice of responsible and environmentally friendly aquarium keeping. We encourage maintenance if it is motivated by a desire to understand the biological functioning of living things and if it is done with respect for animal life.
We believe that aquaristics is an opening to the discovery of aquatic environments, especially freshwater, and that this knowledge is necessary to better protect and respect these environments. Logically, we refute the compulsive purchase of animals that would not find a sufficient and / or adapted place in the host aquarium.
Our recommendations
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Min volume450 liters
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Population min4
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Temperature25 - 28 °C
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pH (acidity)6 - 7
Characteristics
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Difficulty breedingmoderate
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Robustnessrobust
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Behaviourvery aggressive
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Availabilityoccasional
Recommended equipment from our partners
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Aquarium
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Filtration
General reminders
It is strongly advised to read the complete dedicated file and to get information on the feedbacks of maintenance of the envisaged animal, this to avoid any potential conflict whose end result is generally the death of the individual (or the other inhabitants). It is important not to overload your aquarium to limit pollution. This will make maintenance easier.
In nature, animals are subject to weather conditions and live in waters with variable characteristics. The recommendations offered by our team for aquarium maintenance are a guidance and cannot be assimilated to scientific datas.
General reminder on maintenance datas
Le démarrage d'un aquarium est une partie primordiale pour l'équilibre et le bien-être des poissons. Lorsque l'on met en eau un aquarium, l'eau passe naturellement par un cycle biologique : le cycle de l'azote. Celui-ci dure environ trois semaines. Tous les 2 jours, nous vous conseillons de tester votre eau jusqu'à ce que le taux de nitrite soit à zéro pendant plusieurs jours d'affilée.
Pour accélérer ce cycle, vous pouvez utiliser un activateur de bactéries comme JBL Denitrol. Cette solution riche en bactéries vivantes et enzymes permet une mise en place rapide du cycle de l'azote. Les poissons peuvent alors être introduits plus rapidement.
Il est important de tester l'eau de son aquarium régulièrement pour maintenir un environnement sain pour les poissons et les autres habitants. Les tests d'eau permettent de mesurer les niveaux de différents paramètres tels que le pH, la dureté totale, ainsi que les taux de nitrates, de nitrites et d'ammoniaque.
Pour réaliser ces tests, vous pouvez utiliser des produits d'analyse spécialisés tels que JBL ProScan qui permet de réaliser un diagnostic de l'eau directement via un smartphone. Il existe également des coffrets de tests plus classiques de bandelettes, comme JBL PROAQUATEST.
En cas d’usage de l’eau du robinet, vous pouvez utiliser un conditionneur d’eau de type Biotopol de JBL pour éliminer les substances nocives comme le chlore, le cuivre, le plomb et le zinc. Une eau trop dure ou trop calcaire peut être inadaptée à de nombreuses espèces tropicales d’eau douce. Si nécessaire, vous pouvez la couper avec de l’eau osmosée ou de pluie filtrée afin d’obtenir une dureté plus adaptée aux besoins de vos poissons et de vos plantes. Les conditionneurs d'eau garantissent une meilleure santé aux poissons et une meilleure croissance des plantes.
Chlorine and chloramine are dangerous for the health of animals. Used to disinfect water, these agents are present in significant quantities in tap water. We recommend using an anti-chlorine agent every time you change the water. In addition to chlorine, treatments and medicines sold for aquarium use sometimes contain dangerous heavy metals in high doses.
Specific needs for the green terror
The green terror is a species which lives naturally at a temperature between 25 °C and 28 °C. Nitrate levels should remain below 50mg/L. To keep the water clean and unpolluted, plan on changing 20% to 30% of the water volume each month.
The breeding of this species is accessible on condition of being well informed about its needs in aquarium . Any cohabitants must be chosen with care to avoid the loss of animals.
This species is generally available in specialized shops or from aquarium clubs. Specimens that have been bred for a long time are easier to breed, but special water parameters must be respected.
Formal incompatibilities
Cohabitation & Environment
In a community aquarium context, this species should be kept in a minimum volume of 450 liters.
The green terror has a very strong character. Few neighbors are able to stand up to it.
Its maintenance with other territorial species is very risky and has great chances to lead to drama. The choice of possible cohabitants must therefore be carefully considered and only in an appropriate context (large volume, refuges...).
The males of this species do not support each other, the maintenance of several of them in the same tank is strongly disadvised.
The green terror is a fish that generally lives in groups outside of the reproduction periods. If you want to reproduce them and have a good chance of forming a couple, it is recommended to keep at least 5 individuals.. In a community aquarium, the chances of survival of the larvae are almost null. After a few spawns, it is preferable to isolate the couple or to separate from the other members of the group.
Be careful, this species does not appreciate plants and will end up destroying, uprooting or nibbling them. It will not be possible to make an aquarium planted in its presence.
Tips for feeding
The green terror is omnivorous.
This species can eat dry food (flakes, pellets), fresh food and frozen food. To avoid deficiencies, it is recommended to vary the types of food.
Feed animals in moderation to maintain good water quality. Meals should be eaten within 2–3 minutes, served in several small portions rather than a single large ration.
Uneaten food quickly decomposes, releasing ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates, which disturb the aquarium’s biological balance.
Make sure each species can access food properly, slower or bottom-dwelling individuals may require targeted feeding.Food recommendations from our partner JBL - Products PRONOVO
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Granules
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Flakes
Reproduction protocol
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Maintenance difficultyeasy
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egg-laying protectionYes
Hybridization risks
In general, it is advised not to mix several species of the same genus or different varieties of the same species, to avoid the risks of hybridization.
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To go further
Sources & Contributions
Participation & Validation
The Fishipedia team and specialist contributors are committed to providing high-quality content. However, although the information comes from scientific sources or testimonials from specialists, the cards may contain inaccuracies.
Benoit Chartrer
Translation
Translation done with the valuable contribution of our translators, who make this information available to a wider audience. We sincerely thank them for their commitment.
Marine Kassel
Scientific partners
Species of the same family
Same genus