Andinoacara rivulatus in a 55

[duanes]

Just as the generic/local term for cichlids, or cichlid-like fish in much of Central America is Chogorro.
(here in Panama they call marine Sergeant Majors Chogorros)
the generic term, and local/Aboringinal name for cichlids in South America is called Acara
It does not only include the Genus Andinoacara, it also includes
Aequidens
Ceithacara
Crenacara
Guianacara
Hopselacara
Ivanacara
Laetacara
Nannacara
Rondonacara
Taenacara
Tahuantinsuyoa
and many more

and the chameleon like color variations, not only occur with ambient light fluctuations, but the color of substrate, whether an area is heavily planted, even feeding and social status.

above normal color of Andinoacara coerleopunctatus female (upper)
male (below)
Below same pair in less flashy spawning and fry raising colorscolors


below, attacking a food item, en masse

 

[Mazan]

Just out of interest I think the name Acara is of Guaraní origin and only used in parts of Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay. To my knowledge it is not used in Colombia, Ecuador or Peru (except for the Oscar known as acarahazú in Peru). In Ecuador the Green Terror is called Vieja Azul (and other larger cichlids are also called vieja). In Colombia Acara type cichlids are called Mojarra (I have a feeling I might have come across this name in Panama as well as Chogorro?) and in Ecuador and Peru they are called Bujurquí. Biotodoma is called "Cara bonita" (pretty face) and Geophagus in Colombia are known as Juan Viejo. Crenicichla is Bocón (big mouth) in Colombia, Lanza in Ecuador and Añashúa in Peru. There are probably many more indigenous names.

 

[scalareson]

An update, been about two months total since I bought the GT and he's grown a smidge. More so in bulk than length, though his dorsal/anal fins are getting fuller and he's been flaring them recently. The growth is more noticeable in behavior; his swimming style has slowed down from darting to casually cruising around the tank with his fins extended. Absolutely fascinating to watch the process.
Bonus Black Phantoms in the corner. I've left them in as the GT has slowed down, they lap him around the tank easily. I imagine they'll have to move once the GT gets big and that's no problem.
I'll update again in a month or two with more progress pics. Pic is a bit blurry fyi, tank is on the tail end of the bacterial bloom from settling in.

 

[scalareson]

Another 2 month update, more so for the tank than the GT. He had an unexpected growth spurt and took out two of the Black Phantoms a bit ago, so I replaced the remainder with Diamond Tetras. Much larger, very pretty fish that extremely active swimmers so they make a good fit. The two species school together, which keeps the Black Phantoms more active as a bonus. I lost all the floating plants I had, so I replaced them with some Jungle Val's. I've heard they are easy to grow.

A couple of pics of the GT and a Diamond Tetra. The GT has grown, but not a lot by my estimation. Lots of personality, definitely a mean one though haha. Definitely wider than longer (especially in the jaws) and more fin than body mass. Colors are still extremely vibrant