Gold Saum

Care at a glance

Overview

The gold saum, better known as the green terror, is a large and aggressive cichlid that lives up to its name once mature. It is best kept as a single bonded pair, or with other robust cichlids and large tankmates in a spacious tank where no one is cornered. A lone fish or a spawning pair will defend a big territory and can be relentless toward weaker fish, so choose companions of similar size and temper. Provide plenty of room, with rocks and wood arranged to break the tank into territories and give retreat lines. It is an omnivore that takes a quality cichlid pellet readily, supplemented with frozen and live foods such as prawn, mussel and earthworm. Plan for a tank of at least 285 liters, and larger still if you intend to keep more than one.

In the wild

The green terror comes from the Pacific slope of South America, in coastal rivers from the Tumbes drainage in Peru to the Esmeraldas in Ecuador. These waters run cooler than most tropical rivers, so the fish prefers a temperature of only 20 to 24 C, which matters for its long-term health. It is not fussy about chemistry and does well across a pH of 6.5 to 8.0 in neutral to hard water. Set up a roomy tank with a sandy floor, sturdy rocks and driftwood for cover and boundaries, leaving open water in the middle for this active swimmer.

Good to know

Andinoacara rivulatus is a member of the cichlid family, Cichlidae, and grows to around 30 cm, with males larger than females and often developing a raised forehead. The name gold saum refers to the broad gold to orange band along the edge of the tail and dorsal fin, which separates this form from the white-edged silver saum. It is a substrate spawner that lays its eggs on a cleaned rock or flat surface, with both parents guarding the eggs and fry with great determination. Its bright color comes with a strong temper, which is why the common name green terror has stuck.

Did you know

Green terrors come in two color forms named for the trim on the fins. The gold saum has a gold to orange edge to the tail, while the closely related silver saum wears a white edge, and the two are often confused in shops.

Related species

• Silver saum

  Andinoacara stalsbergi

  7.9 in (20 cm)74 gal (280 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)

• 

  Blue acara

  Andinoacara pulcher

  5.9 in (15 cm)42 gal (160 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)

• 

  Mayan cichlid

  Mayaheros urophthalmus

  11.8 in (30 cm)90 gal (340 L)75–86°F (24–30°C)

• 

  Pearlscale Cichlid

  Herichthys carpintis

  11.8 in (30 cm)55 gal (210 L)75–79°F (24–26°C)

• 

  Texas Cichlid

  Herichthys cyanoguttatus

  11.8 in (30 cm)66 gal (250 L)68–90°F (20–32°C)

• 

  Zebra tilapia

  Heterotilapia buttikoferi

  11.8 in (30 cm)159 gal (600 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)