Green Terror

Distribution:
   The Green Terror was described by Günther in 1860. They are found in South American rivers, starting at the Pacific slope from the Esmeraldas River in Ecuador to the Tumbes River in Peru. These coastal streams contribute to the higher pH that Amazonian fish cannot handle.

Status:
   This species is not listed on the IUCN Red List.

Description:
   The Green Terror is a very colorful deep bodied fish marked with various striping on its body and face. The male has a green and blue metallic sheen, a blue anal fin, and a red band at the edge of its tail fin. Mature males will develop a hump on their heads. The female is a darker tone with a green anal fin, and are a little smaller than the male. The Green Terror will live over 10 years if well cared for.
   All cichlids share a common feature that some saltwater fish such as wrasses and parrotfish have and that is a well-developed pharyngeal set of teeth that are in the throat, along with their regular teeth. Cichlids have spiny rays in the back parts of the anal, dorsal, pectoral, and pelvic fins to help discourage predators. The front part of these fins are soft and perfect for precise positions and effortless movements in the water as opposed to fast swimming.
   Cichlids have one nostril on each side while other fish have 2 sets. To sense “smells” in the water, they suck water in and expel the water right back out after being “sampled” for a short or longer time, depending on how much the cichlid needs to “smell” the water. This feature is shared by saltwater damselfish and cichlids are thought to be closely related.

Size - Weight:
   The Green Terror males will reach up to 10 - 12” (25 - 31 cm), females will reach 7 - 9” (18 - 23 cm).

Care and feeding:
   The Green Terror is primarily a carnivore that can be fed a variety of foods, but they do tend to be picky. They will eat frozen foods like krill, bloodworms, and brine shrimp as well as flakes, plankton and green vegetables. They can also be fed cichlid pellets. Feed young fish 2 to 3 times a day and adults 1 to 2 times a day. Feeding in smaller amounts several times a day instead of a large quantity once a day will keep the water quality higher over a longer time. All fish benefit from vitamins and supplements added to their foods.
   As with all large South American cichlids, they need a lot of room, 30 or 40 gallons for an individual fish. A minimum of 75 gallons is suggested for a pair though an even larger aquarium will be needed if keeping them together with other large fish. They do best in water that is slightly acidic to neutral. Provide low to moderate water movement and efficient filtration. They are fine with normal aquarium lighting and they enjoy lots of rockwork with caves and hiding places. Use driftwood to help pull the pH down if you have very hard water. Be sure to leave an open area in the center for swimming.
   The Green Terror is a rewarding specimen for the aquarist as it is moderately easy to keep as long as the water quality is maintained and they are provided a quality diet. Do water changes of 15 to 20% weekly or biweekly, depending on stocking numbers. They are subject to infections as well as other diseases that ail all freshwater fish, especially if water is stale and of poor quality and oxygenation.
  One common problem is Ich. It can be treated with the elevation of the tank temperature to 86° F (30° C) for 3 days. If that does not cure the Ich, then the fish needs to be treated with copper (remove any water conditioners). Several copper based fish medications are available for Ich. Copper use must be kept within the proper levels, so be sure to follow the manufacturers suggestions. A copper test also can be used to keep the proper levels. You can also combine increasing the temperature with an Ich medication treatment.
   Hard water will contribute to the notorious 'Hole-in-the-Head' disease (HLLE - Head and Lateral Line Disease), an ailment that large cichlids are prone to. Use driftwood to help pull the pH down if you have very hard water. Intestinal disease can be treated with metronidazol.

Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom:
   These fish will swim in the middle and bottom areas of the aquarium.

Acceptable Water Conditions:
   Hardness: 10 - 13° dH
   Ph: 6.5 - 7.5
   Temp: 70 -80° F (21 - 27° C)

Social Behaviors:
   As with all larger South American cichlids, a lot of space is the most importance element to keep aggression lower. The Green Terror is a moderately aggressive cichlid that can be kept with other larger South American cichlids. Depending on personality they can end up relatively peaceful, which often corresponds to having plenty of space as they grow. When they have more room, they use their lateral line to determine the size of the area they live in. If they feel that they will have too little room, once they are adults they will start to attack other fish. So with a bigger tank they have less of a need to “take someone out” so they have room to grow.
   The Green Terror is generally aggressive toward those of the same species. It is possible that the female Green Terror is more aggressive than the males. They should be kept singly unless breeding. If breeding, they will become very aggressive and need a very large tank or a tank of their own. Do not house with African Cichlids as they are too small and will be harassed. They can be kept with large Pacus, Plecostomos, Oscars, Silver Dollars, Gars, and other similarly sized fish.

Sexual Differences:
   Males have a blue anal fin and females have a green anal fin.

Breeding/Reproduction:
   The Green Terror are egg layers. Get several juveniles and allow them to pair up. The parents will clean off a flat rock to spawn on and will lay up to 400 eggs. They will care for the young. Feed fry crushed flake and fry food.  See a general description of how these fish breed in Breeding Freshwater Fish.

Buy Green Terror From LiveAquaria.com

Availability:
   The Blue Acara is readily available both online and in fish stores, and will run about for $8.00 USD for juveniles, more for adults.

Author: Carrie McBirney
Additional Information: Clarice Brough, CFS