Green Terror

The Green Terror is a large, boldly colored cichlid from the Pacific-slope drainages of western Ecuador and Peru, where it inhabits warm, moderately flowing rivers. Adults develop striking metallic blue-green scaling and, in mature males, a pronounced nuchal hump and orange-edged fins. True to its name, it is highly territorial and aggressive, especially when breeding, so it needs a spacious tank and only robust tankmates such as large catfish or other big cichlids. It tolerates a wide range of water: pH 6.5-8.0, soft to moderately hard, and cooler temperatures of 20-25 C. Provide a sandy substrate, rockwork and driftwood forming caves and clear territorial boundaries, plus strong filtration to cope with its heavy waste. Feed a varied carnivorous diet of quality pellets, mussel, shrimp and earthworms. Pairs are devoted biparental guardians of eggs and fry.