Care guide · Freshwater · fish
Green terror cichlid
Andinoacara rivulatus
Andinoacara rivulatus is a large, powerful cichlid commonly sold as the Green Terror or Gold Saum. Despite the popular name, it is not an easy community fish: it can be aggressive and territorial and needs substantial floor space. This guide covers aquarium care, suitable water ranges, layout, feeding and breeding using a specialist species profile. Where that source does not establish individual tankmates or an exact product, we do not make a recommendation. The aquarium guidance keeps the minimum base length distinct from the profile’s approximate volume; extra litres do not replace adequate floor area. Breeding conditions are also identified separately and are not automatically presented as everyday target values. This makes clear which details are source-based care advice and where a specific match has not been established.
Plan your aquarium →At a glance
- Temperature
- 20–24 °C
- pH
- 6.5–8.0
- GH
- 5–25 °dGH
- Aquarium length
- At least 150 cm
- Adult size
- Up to 30 cm
- Group size
- At least 1 individuals
- Temperament
- Aggressive, Territorial, uprooter
About this species
The California Academy of Sciences Catalog of Fishes treats Andinoacara rivulatus (Günther, 1860) as a valid species in Cichlidae. Older literature also uses the combination Aequidens rivulatus. Green Terror is a trade name, not proof that every fish sold under it has been identified correctly. The specialist profile cautions that fish from the northern part of the range may represent a different species. This is a substantial fish. Seriously Fish reports a maximum of 30 cm standard length (SL), which excludes the caudal fin. Males grow considerably larger than females and may develop a nuchal hump. Its size and territorial nature make it better suited to experienced keepers with a large, robustly furnished aquarium.Natural habitat
The species occurs in coastal Pacific-slope waters of western Ecuador and extreme northern Peru, including streams and rivers. The source qualifies the northern edge of the range: fish around the Río Esmeraldas drainage may represent another species. We therefore do not use the broad trade name to claim a more precise origin or form. A wild locality does not prescribe a decorative recipe. In an aquarium, clean water, open swimming room and stable refuges matter more than a rigid biotope display. The fish digs and shifts substrate, so unsecured rocks and delicate plants may be unsuitable.Aquarium and layout
Seriously Fish specifies a minimum base of 150 × 45 cm and approximately 304 litres. Treat these measurements as a starting point; extra water volume does not replace the required floor length. The fish is territorial and a pair may defend a large area when spawning. A single specimen or a compatible established pair is usually the safer arrangement. The source discusses possible tankmates only in very large aquariums (650 litres or more), and even then large, robust fish are not guaranteed to be safe companions. Use sand or another diggable substrate and place heavy rocks securely so digging cannot topple them. Wood and broad flat stones provide structure and possible spawning surfaces. Break lines of sight if other fish are present. This cichlid digs actively; floating plants can provide shade, while attached plants such as Anubias or Java fern have a better chance than fragile rooted plants. Efficient biological filtration and consistent maintenance are important because the species is sensitive to deteriorating water quality.Water conditions
The specialist aquarium profile gives 20–24 °C, pH 6.5–8.0 and hardness of 5–25 °dGH. These are broad aquarium ranges, not targets to swing between quickly. Choose a stable value that suits the source water and keep it consistent. The source does not specify a reliable KH range, so none is displayed. For breeding, the same source gives an example setup near 24 °C and pH 6.5–7.0. This is breeding guidance, not a reason to narrow the everyday care range. Mature the aquarium biologically, monitor ammonia and nitrite, and make regular water changes. With a large fish and substantial feeding, adequate filtration and maintenance matter more than pursuing one exact number.Behaviour and group size
Andinoacara rivulatus is generally aggressive and territorial. Seriously Fish recommends keeping a single specimen or an established pair in most cases. Experienced keepers may sometimes attempt robust, large tankmates in a sufficiently large aquarium, but shared pH or temperature says nothing about risk. Small fish may be treated as prey, and a spawning pair can fatally injure other inhabitants. We therefore publish no individual tankmate links without separately assessing adult size, behaviour, space and refuges. Males are usually larger and may develop a pronounced nuchal hump and extended fin tips; females remain smaller. Sex and pair formation are difficult to judge in juveniles. Do not simply place two adults together: the source reports that a male may kill a newly introduced female. If a pair forms, expect prolonged territorial brood care and have a way to separate other fish.Feeding
This species is omnivorous. The specialist profile recommends a good-quality cichlid stick as the staple, supplemented with suitable invertebrate or seafood items such as earthworms, prawns and mussels, and plant matter such as peas or spinach. Offer moderate portions and remove leftovers. The source advises against beef heart and other red meat because of possible digestive effects. The profile also mentions algae wafers, but we have not confirmed an exact product with suitable composition and a current offer in the existing catalogue. No product card is shown. Choose foods that suit the fish’s mouth and adult size, and avoid making a protein-rich diet depend solely on muscle or mammal meat.Breeding
This is a substrate spawner that may lay eggs on a flat stone or in a pit it excavates. A compatible pair is essential: placing unrelated adults together is risky because the male may kill the female. Seriously Fish describes raising a group of at least six juveniles as a preferable way to let a pair form naturally. This requires substantial extra space and a plan for fish that do not pair. The source reports up to about 400 eggs. They usually hatch after roughly three to four days, and fry become free-swimming around six to eight days later. Parents guard the brood and may continue for about six weeks. These are source-reported timings under particular conditions, not a fixed schedule. Provide a flat spawning surface, keep the parents well fed and maintain water quality. Plan what to do with a large number of juveniles before breeding; do not start without suitable grow-out space or rehoming options.Sources & review
This care guide draws on several specialist sources and was last checked on .
View the sources
- Creative Commons — Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal
- Seriously Fish — Andinoacara rivulatus — Green Terror Cichlid aquarium profile
- California Academy of Sciences — Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes — Andinoacara rivulatus
- Wikimedia Commons; photograph by 5snake5 — Andinoacara rivulatus — Goldsaumbuntbarsch pair