Green Terror tankmates

[Kolton13]

I wanna setup a green terror tank at my new house. In 2 days I’m moving. So coming up quick. But I would like to know what would the best scaling stay would be, as I want a planted tank. I want to stack large rocks with some caves and plants in between. But don’t think a gt would tolerate plants. So I’m curious what the best decor would be and also some tankmates. I thought maybe a group of krib cichlids as they stay lower and gt is medium to high height. But am curious to see what people have kept them with and what tankmates would be worth a try. Also thought about a lancer cat.

 

[Rtc/tsn]

I wanna setup a green terror tank at my new house. In 2 days I’m moving. So coming up quick. But I would like to know what would the best scaling stay would be, as I want a planted tank. I want to stack large rocks with some caves and plants in between. But don’t think a gt would tolerate plants. So I’m curious what the best decor would be and also some tankmates. I thought maybe a group of krib cichlids as they stay lower and gt is medium to high height. But am curious to see what people have kept them with and what tankmates would be worth a try. Also thought about a lancer cat.

I wanna see what people think of my idea to put some shell dwelling cichlids at the bottom. I think they’d stay small enough and be fast enough to avoid the gt and it would look cool to have a community of small cichlids in their houses (shells) with a god watching above (gt)

 

[stiker]

If wanting Andinoacara Rivulatus (I’m assuming A. Rivulatus is the species you are referring to when you say Green Terror as this is the species most commonly called this. Even though in my opinion the true ‘green terror’ is A. Stalsbergi) with plants I’d stick to epiphyte‘s or plants that don’t need to be planted in a substrate. If you wanted plants in the substrate you could attempt this by putting rocks around the base of the plants. The Andinoacara will rearrange the substrate when they are wanting to spawn.

I wouldn’t keep Kribensis / shell dwellers. It is likely for them to be intimidated by the large Rivulatus (which can reach 10-12 inches) and likely constantly hide. I have seen fully grown Amatitlania/ Cryptoheros species go into hiding and not come out when kept with large Petenia Splendida or other large cichlids due to intimidation.

His name on here has completely slipped my mind ( if someone is aware please tag him) but Aquafauna on Instagram has kept A. Rivulatus in a planted tank that didn’t have plants in the substrate.


If you are referring to A. Stalsbergi my apologises, the same applies though.

 

[duanes]

With almost every cichlid, choice of tank mates and whether the tank can be planted or not, depends on tank size.
If the tank is small (100 gallons or less/4ft length) your options are thin, any tank mates can be easily cornered, and in many cases rooted aquatic plants are torn up.
If the tank is medium size, 100+ to 300 gallons (6ft or more) your chance of aquatic plants and tank mates gets better.
Larger than 300 gallons just about anything is possible.

GTs come from an area west of the Andes, where there are few other endemic cichlids, so they tend to see other cichlids as competitors for food and territory, to be vanquished (probably where the moniker "Terror" came from..
I would guess shell dwellers will probably end up as expensive feeders as the GTs mature.
I keep Andinoacara coerleopunctatus (close cousins to GTs, in a well planted 180 gal and the plants are seldom disturbed.
For tank mates I use largish tetras, and a pleco, others that worked were Goby's. The Andinoacara seldom seem to notice the non-cichlids, unless small enough to eat.
Although I started with about a dozen Andinoacara, at maturity the Alpha male whittled the population down to 3 females, and himself, and the tank is now at a sort of non-aggression equilibrium.

The above shot was taken when they were young (about half the size they are today)
One difference between GTs and mine, is GTs get considerably larger, so as adults, might need a larger territory for the tank to remain a DMZ.
Coerleopuntatus males (below) top off at only 7", GTs can hit 10-12".

To gauge size of dither fish (in my case higher bodied tetras have survived 2 to 3 years in the tank)

Early on, I tried some molly species that coexist with the Panamanian GTs in nature, and they were eaten. Maybe not fast enough, maybe they were too easily corned, not sure, and small minnow-like elongate fish were easily eaten.

The Agonostomus above was almost 3", lasted less than a day.
Below one of the females.

 

[Rocksor]

Your choice of co-habitating even in 8 feet of space will depend on the GT personality. Hides didn't matter much, dominant cichlids will seek out everyone. I've had 1 that was a total pushoever and didn't care about being dominant, so it was allows on the bottom of the totem pole, whether there were 8 cichlids or as low as 3. I've had another that would stress even a 12" bass and 12.5" pike vs its 6" length out to the point of sickness (it didn't care if the bass put it's entire mouth over its head). It wanted to be tank boss and would even flare at me like Amphs do.

 

[Deadeye]

I’d get a group and go for a pair with enough space.
I’m assuming this is the 75? Probably only gonna be a solo cichlid tank, maybe a pair and the appropriate dithers. I’ve heard of them taking out giant danios, so dithers would have to be quite large, rainbow fish may work.
A mean male would make short work of convicts, but they are an option.
Kribs are good at surviving (I have one that plays with a bp, convict, leporinus, and Dempsey), but it is correct that it would stay hidden most of the time. Always a risk of being eaten. I don’t see mine too often, it cruises the whole tank, but always under cover. Not like in the tank they are the bosses of.
Tough plants should survive. The types that root on rock and wood like Anubias and Javas are best.
Plecos and Raphael cats would be safe.

 

[Kolton13]

I’d get a group and go for a pair with enough space.
I’m assuming this is the 75? Probably only gonna be a solo cichlid tank, maybe a pair and the appropriate dithers. I’ve heard of them taking out giant danios, so dithers would have to be quite large, rainbow fish may work.
A mean male would make short work of convicts, but they are an option.
Kribs are good at surviving (I have one that plays with a bp, convict, leporinus, and Dempsey), but it is correct that it would stay hidden most of the time. Always a risk of being eaten. I don’t see mine too often, it cruises the whole tank, but always under cover. Not like in the tank they are the bosses of.
Tough plants should survive. The types that root on rock and wood like Anubias and Javas are best.
Plecos and Raphael cats would be safe.

Is there any kinds of schooling fish in your opinion you think would work?

 

[Kolton13]

With almost every cichlid, choice of tank mates and whether the tank can be planted or not, depends on tank size.
If the tank is small (100 gallons or less/4ft length) your options are thin, any tank mates can be easily cornered, and in many cases rooted aquatic plants are torn up.
If the tank is medium size, 100+ to 300 gallons (6ft or more) your chance of aquatic plants and tank mates gets better.
Larger than 300 gallons just about anything is possible.

GTs come from an area west of the Andes, where there are few other endemic cichlids, so they tend to see other cichlids as competitors for food and territory, to be vanquished (probably where the moniker "Terror" came from..
I would guess shell dwellers will probably end up as expensive feeders as the GTs mature.
I keep Andinoacara coerleopunctatus (close cousins to GTs, in a well planted 180 gal and the plants are seldom disturbed.
For tank mates I use largish tetras, and a pleco, others that worked were Goby's. The Andinoacara seldom seem to notice the non-cichlids, unless small enough to eat.
Although I started with about a dozen Andinoacara, at maturity the Alpha male whittled the population down to 3 females, and himself, and the tank is now at a sort of non-aggression equilibrium.
View attachment 1469458
The above shot was taken when they were young (about half the size they are today)
One difference between GTs and mine, is GTs get considerably larger, so as adults, might need a larger territory for the tank to remain a DMZ.
Coerleopuntatus males (below) top off at only 7", GTs can hit 10-12".
View attachment 1469460
To gauge size of dither fish (in my case higher bodied tetras have survived 2 to 3 years in the tank)
View attachment 1469461
Early on, I tried some molly species that coexist with the Panamanian GTs in nature, and they were eaten. Maybe not fast enough, maybe they were too easily corned, not sure, and small minnow-like elongate fish were easily eaten.
View attachment 1469463
The Agonostomus above was almost 3", lasted less than a day.
Below one of the females.
View attachment 1469462

What kind of tetras would u recommend? Have u had any positive experiences with certain species? Also what kind of plecos would be best.

 

[The Masked Shadow]

Would headstanders work?

 

[Rtc/tsn]

Would headstanders work?

I’ve had a handstander before and it didn’t really move around to much unless it’s feeding time. Feel like the lack of movement would get it killed with a gt