Green Terror

Andinoacara rivulatus

Also known as: Gold saum, Green terror cichlid

Water Parameters

• Temperature: 22–26°C
• pH: 6.5–8
• Hardness (GH): 89–322 ppm (5–18 dGH)

Values above are general hardness (GH). For carbonate hardness (KH), the buffer that keeps pH stable, see the water parameters guide.

Care Summary

A spectacular and aptly-named cichlid: mature males shimmer in metallic blue-green scaling, edged with a bright orange band on the tail and a high, fatty forehead, and they back the looks with a famously combative temperament. Green terrors are large, intelligent, and intensely territorial, demanding a big tank, careful tankmate choice if any, and a keeper ready to referee, particularly between pairs and during breeding. They are hardy and long-lived, will eat anything they can fit in the mouth, and excavate the substrate with gusto. Not a community fish and not a beginner's, but for a dedicated large-cichlid keeper with the space, one of the most striking fish in the freshwater hobby.

Tankmates

The name is honest: this is a large, highly territorial South American cichlid that needs a big tank and an owner prepared to manage aggression. It is best as a single specimen or a bonded pair, though pairs can themselves turn violent, and any tankmates must be robust, similarly-sized, and able to keep out of its way, with large armoured catfish the safest companions. It will eat fish small enough to swallow and dig and rearrange the substrate constantly. Tolerant of hard Australian tap water; provide heavy rockwork and a sand bed.

Compatible with

• Common Pleco
• Synodontis Catfish
• Bristlenose Pleco

Avoid keeping with

• Betta
• Neon Tetra
• Guppy
• Angelfish
• Cherry Shrimp
• German Blue Ram
• Keyhole Cichlid
• Oscar

Common Problems

• strong territorial aggression toward tankmates and mates
• predation on smaller fish
• digging and rearranging the tank
• needing a very large tank as it matures

Sources: seriouslyfish.com, fishbase.org · Last updated: 2026-06-20