Green Terror Cichlid (Aequidens Rivulatus)

In earlier articles we've discussed Anabantoidei, Algae Eaters and Guppies, now it's time for the green terror (aequidens rivulatus) to take the spotlight. This is a type of cichlid, native to the warm, freshwater lakes and rivers of South America.

This fish is particularly common throughout Ecuador and Peru, in the coastal streams near the Pacific side of both countries. This beautiful greenish fish, called Vieja by natives in its natural land, has a lifespan of around 11 years. The terror is not valued as a food fish, and is not a threatened species.

Though common in the wild, the green terror is also bread in aquacultures around the world. In its native environment, the green terror, sometimes called the green rivulatus, is an omnivore, and scavenges if necessary, though it prefers a carnivorous diet, usually eating insects, worms, and other small fish.

The green terror is a medium sized cichlid, with females maturing around 7-9 inches and males maturing around 10 inches. A beautiful aquarium fish, these creatures are a dark reddish brown, with green, shining scales. The body of a green terror is rectangle shaped, long and thin; the dorsal, anal and tail fins are also long and sleek, with the dorsal and anal fins sloping back, as though caught in the wind.

The face of this fish is triangular, with a thick chin, and thin lips forming the triangle point, in a perpetual frown. The head is reddish brown, with green beginning in a straight vertical line at the base of the head. A green sheen extends over the entire main body, with each green scale having a black dot in the middle of it. Most members of this breed have a dark circle, without green sheen, towards the upper center of their body. The green fades towards the ends of the fins; in some of these fish, the tale and dorsal fins have a brilliant red tint.

The green terror is a rather hardy, though very aggressive, fish. Full grown green terrors need an aquarium of at least 55 gallons; this fish makes full use of all vertical and horizontal space within a tank, moving around endlessly in the search for food. The terror prefer very warm temperatures, between 79 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit, a DH of 25, and a PH balance between 6.5 and 8.0, though it can handle some variation of acidity on either side.

While the green terror prefers to be carnivorous, and most are happiest when fed live meat, many are relatively versatile in their food, and will eat almost anything that will fit into their mouths, including bloodworm, brine shrimp, fish flakes and cichlid pellets. This green fish likes an environment filled with plants, anchored driftwood, rock caves and other nooks to take cover within.

He enjoy sandy bottoms, but can be a digger, so it is important that all plants and decorations be anchored to the aquarium bottom. The green terror has a very aggressive and territorial nature, similar to other South American cichlids; breeding pairs can be quite aggressive, and should be kept on their own. Green terrors may be kept with other breeds, but then the aquarium should be larger than 60 gallons: suitable companions are the Jack Dempsey and red devils, though they can also often cohabitate well with other less aggressive fish, such as oscars, firemouths and convicts. It's best to check with marine biologists and aquaculture experts before making a final tank mate decision.