The Green Terror Cichlid is a popular freshwater cichlid known for its striking colours, impressive fins, and strong personality. Females typically display attractive green and blue tones with distinctive markings, making them a beautiful addition to a suitable cichlid aquarium.
Key Features
- Current Size: Approximately 15 cm
- Adult Size: Grows to 20–25 cm
- Lifespan: 7–10 years with proper care
- Tank Size: Minimum 300 litres for a single adult
- Temperature Range: 24–28°C
- pH Range: 6.5–8.0
Diet: Omnivorous
Appearance
Coloration: Green and blue tones with darker markings and attractive iridescent patterns across the body.
Body Shape: Stocky, oval-shaped body with strong fins.
Markings: Distinctive pearly spots and colourful markings across the body and fins. Females generally have less intense colours than males.
Behavior
- Territorial and can be aggressive, particularly as they mature; best kept with appropriately sized, robust tankmates or on their own.
- Intelligent and active, often becoming familiar with their owners and displaying interesting behaviours around the aquarium.
Tank Setup
Substrate: Sand or smooth gravel to allow natural digging behaviour.
Decor: Large rocks, driftwood, and sturdy decorations for hiding spots, but leave plenty of open swimming space.
Filtration: High-quality filtration is essential due to their high bio-load.
Water Flow: Moderate water movement.
Lighting: Moderate lighting enhances their attractive green and blue colours.
Keep in mind a heavy lid is strongly recommended as they can jump!
Feeding
Diet: A varied, balanced diet helps maintain good health and colouration:
- High-quality cichlid pellets.
- Frozen foods like prawns, shrimp, or bloodworms.
- Occasional treats like earthworms or suitable insect-based foods.
- Some vegetable matter as part of a balanced diet.
Avoid overfeeding to prevent water quality issues and obesity.
Tankmates
Due to their territorial behaviour, tankmates must be carefully selected:
Suitable: Large Plecos, Silver Dollars, or similarly sized cichlids (if adequate space is provided).
Avoid: Small, delicate, or slow-moving fish that may be eaten or injured.
Breeding
- Breeding is possible but can be challenging due to their territorial nature.
- A compatible pair should be given plenty of space to establish a territory.
- A flat surface (like a rock or tile) should be provided for spawning.
- The female lays eggs, which the male fertilises externally.
Both parents may guard the eggs and fry.
Special Considerations
- Green Terror Cichlids require excellent filtration and regular tank maintenance to maintain good water quality.
- They can become aggressive as they mature, so careful consideration should be given when selecting tankmates.
- They thrive in aquariums with plenty of space and suitable hiding places, making them an excellent choice for experienced cichlid enthusiasts.
Why Choose a Green Terror Cichlid?
The Green Terror Cichlid is a striking fish that brings beautiful colours, personality, and an impressive presence to any aquarium. Ideal for aquarists looking for an active and colourful cichlid, they can make a fantastic centrepiece fish in a suitably sized tank.
These photos are the exact individual you will receive!
If you have any questions or problems feel free to contact us!
Postage costs
All small products, plant or small snail orders are $3.99 flat postage. Large products, plant or snail orders are $10.99 tracked postage.
Express is $13.99.
Large tanks can only be sent through local delivery which is $20-100 depending on distance.
All postage is flat no matter how much you order!
Live Goods and Postage
All live goods are sent with express post for a flat $13.99. Most orders will be sent Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, but we recomend placing your order early Sunday to make sure we can send it the same week for you.
Super Safe Postage
All parcels will have the "super safe express" postage option. It is optional, but if selected, we will go above and beyond with extra features to make sure your fish arrive safe.
These extra features (Thicker large parcels, larger and more bags, heating, extra insulation and water for each fish etc...) are expensive and not necessary for most parcels,
so we have made it optional for those who want to take the extra care. For rural locations or just if you want to make sure your fish will be extra safe it is recommended. All postage options still have the DOA guarantee however.
Pickup
Pickup is from our store located at: Shop 6/233 Harris St, Pyrmont, Sydney, NSW. Please let us know before you come after placing your order so we can confirm it will be ready then.
Terms and Conditions
We will refund or replace any livestock that arrives DOA (Dead on Arrival) but cannot guarantee your order will arrive on time since we have no control over the postage service. If you have any issues with your order please let us know.
Enjoy!