South American Cichlid Care Guides

South American cichlids range from small, gentle dwarf species to large territorial fish. Use the individual profile below to plan adult space and compatible conditions. Silver Dollar companions have their own notes at the end.

General Care

Use a fully cycled aquarium with stable conditions, good filtration, and regular water changes. Provide cover and broken sightlines while leaving enough room for adult fish. Fine sand is especially important for sand-sifting species. Keep ammonia and nitrite at zero. Never assume that sharing a continent makes two fish compatible: temperature, adult size, diet, and territorial behavior all matter. Breeding pairs may become more defensive and need their own space.

Tank sizes below are planning recommendations for adult care. Aquarium footprint, group size, filtration, and individual behavior can require more space. Use stable conditions within the listed range; avoid sudden changes.

Species and Variety Guides

Electric Blue Acara

  • Scientific name / group: Andinoacara pulcher — electric blue strain
  • Adult size: about 6–7 inches
  • Temperature: 75–80°F
  • pH: 6.5–7.5
  • Water hardness: soft to moderate
  • Aquarium: 55 gallons or larger
  • Temperament: Usually mild for a cichlid; territorial during breeding

Aquarium setup: Provide sand, wood, and sheltered territory with swimming space.

Feeding: Quality cichlid pellets with suitable aquatic frozen foods.

Tank mates: Choose peaceful fish too large to be swallowed; avoid very aggressive cichlids.

Breeding: Biparental substrate spawner; allow a pair its own territory and protect young.

Listed fish / animals: Electric Blue Acara

Green Terror

  • Scientific name / group: Andinoacara rivulatus
  • Adult size: about 8–12 inches; males larger
  • Temperature: 72–75°F
  • pH: 6.5–8.0
  • Water hardness: moderate
  • Aquarium: 125 gallons or larger for adult care
  • Temperament: Aggressive and territorial

Aquarium setup: Use strong filtration, sturdy shelter, and open space with separate retreat areas.

Feeding: Quality cichlid pellets with suitable aquatic frozen foods.

Tank mates: Safest alone or as a compatible pair; a mixed cichlid setup requires much more space and monitoring.

Breeding: Substrate spawner. Pair aggression can change quickly, so keep a divider or separate tank available.

Listed fish / animals: Green Terror Cichlid

Red Head Tapajos Eartheater

  • Scientific name / group: Geophagus sp. 'Red Head Tapajos'
  • Adult size: about 6–8 inches
  • Temperature: 79–84°F
  • pH: 6.0–7.5
  • Water hardness: soft to moderate
  • Aquarium: 125 gallons or larger for an adult group
  • Temperament: Generally peaceful; breeding fish defend space

Aquarium setup: Use fine sand, shaded cover, and a large open bottom. Keep filter intakes above stirred sand.

Feeding: Small sinking cichlid pellets and varied aquatic frozen foods.

Tank mates: Choose peaceful companions with matching warm conditions; avoid aggressive cichlids and sharp gravel.

Breeding: Pairs spawn on a surface and later mouthbrood. Preserve room for brooding fish and separate grow-out space.

Listed fish / animals: Geophagus Tapajos (Red Head)

Pearl Cichlid / Geophagus Brasiliensis

  • Scientific name / group: Geophagus brasiliensis
  • Adult size: about 10 inches or more
  • Temperature: 70–78°F
  • pH: 6.0–8.0
  • Water hardness: soft to moderate
  • Aquarium: 125 gallons or larger; at least a five-foot footprint
  • Temperament: Territorial; can be aggressive

Aquarium setup: Provide sand and securely placed wood or rocks; expect digging.

Feeding: Varied sinking cichlid pellets with suitable frozen foods and some plant content.

Tank mates: More assertive than many eartheaters; avoid assuming it will fit a gentle Geophagus group.

Breeding: Substrate spawner. Breeding pairs defend a large area and may require separation.

Listed fish / animals: Geophagus Brasiliensis (Pearl Cichlid)

Threadfin Acara — Listed as Geophagus Threadfin

  • Scientific name / group: Acarichthys heckelii
  • Adult size: about 8 inches
  • Temperature: 79–84°F
  • pH: 6.0–7.5
  • Water hardness: soft to moderate
  • Aquarium: 125 gallons or larger; groups need more space
  • Temperament: Territorial, especially near breeding sites

Aquarium setup: Provide sand, roots, shaded retreat areas, and excellent water quality.

Feeding: Small sinking pellets with varied suitable aquatic frozen foods.

Tank mates: Choose calm, appropriately sized companions; avoid fin-nippers around extended fins.

Breeding: Cave or tunnel spawner. Provide a roomy dedicated breeding setup and protect the female.

Listed fish / animals: Geophagus Threadfin

Severums — Green, Red Spotted Gold, Turquoise, Rainbow, and Orange Shoulder

  • Scientific name / group: Heros species and ornamental strains
  • Adult size: usually about 8–10 inches; some larger
  • Temperature: 76–82°F
  • pH: 6.0–7.0
  • Water hardness: soft to moderate
  • Aquarium: 75 gallons for one adult; 125 gallons or larger for a pair or community
  • Temperament: Usually moderate; territorial when spawning

Aquarium setup: Provide a broad aquarium, sturdy wood, and open space; plants may be eaten.

Feeding: Balanced cichlid pellets with plant content, vegetables, and appropriate aquatic frozen foods.

Tank mates: Choose calm, suitably sized fish; avoid highly aggressive cichlids and tiny prey.

Breeding: Most commonly traded severums are substrate spawners. Trade colors do not reliably identify species; protect pair territories.

Listed fish / animals: Severum (Orange Shoulder) · Red Spotted Gold Severum · Green Severum · RED SPOTTED TURQUOISE SEVERUMS · Red Spot Rainbow Severum

Balzanii / Paraguay Eartheater

  • Scientific name / group: Gymnogeophagus balzanii
  • Adult size: about 6–8 inches
  • Temperature: 70–77°F in the warm season; see seasonal care
  • pH: 6.5–7.5
  • Water hardness: moderate
  • Aquarium: 75 gallons or larger; groups need additional bottom space
  • Temperament: Males can be territorial

Aquarium setup: Use fine sand and clean, well-filtered water. This subtropical fish needs a planned seasonal routine.

Feeding: Small sinking pellets and varied suitable frozen foods.

Tank mates: Choose companions that tolerate its cooler seasonal cycle; do not keep it permanently in a hot tropical setup.

Breeding: Delayed maternal mouthbrooder. Specialist husbandry commonly includes gradual seasonal cooling around 60–64°F for three to four months, rather than sudden temperature changes.

Listed fish / animals: Geophagus Balzanii

Bolivian Ram

  • Scientific name / group: Mikrogeophagus altispinosus
  • Adult size: about 3–4 inches
  • Temperature: 75–82°F
  • pH: 6.0–7.5
  • Water hardness: soft to moderate
  • Aquarium: 40-gallon breeder or larger with about a 36 × 18 inch base
  • Temperament: Generally peaceful; territorial at spawning

Aquarium setup: Provide fine sand, roots, plants, and clear feeding areas in a mature tank.

Feeding: Small sinking pellets, brine shrimp, daphnia, and other suitable small frozen foods.

Tank mates: Choose calm companions and ensure it reaches food; avoid aggressive bottom competitors.

Breeding: Biparental substrate spawner. Flat stones provide egg sites; free-swimming fry need appropriately tiny foods.

Listed fish / animals: Bolivian Ram 4 pack

Dwarf Flag Cichlid

  • Scientific name / group: Laetacara curviceps
  • Adult size: about 2–3 inches
  • Temperature: 74–80°F
  • pH: 6.0–7.5
  • Water hardness: soft to moderate
  • Aquarium: 20-gallon long or larger for a pair; more for a community
  • Temperament: Generally peaceful; territorial while breeding

Aquarium setup: Use plants, wood, shaded retreats, and gentle water movement.

Feeding: Small sinking pellets with tiny frozen foods and some plant content.

Tank mates: Suitable with gentle small fish; keep away from large predators and aggressive cichlids.

Breeding: Biparental substrate spawner. Give a settled pair a quiet territory and separate grow-out space.

Listed fish / animals: Dwarf Flag Cichlid (Laetacara curviceps) 1.5–2 Inch

Silver Dollar and Tiger Silver Dollar Companions

  • Scientific name / group: Silver Dollar trade group; exact species varies
  • Adult size: plan for about 6 inches or larger, depending on species
  • Temperature: 75–82°F
  • pH: 6.0–7.0
  • Water hardness: soft to moderate
  • Aquarium: 125 gallons or larger for an adult school; six-foot swimming area
  • Temperament: Schooling; generally peaceful but can eat tiny fish

Aquarium setup: Provide open swimming space, a secure lid, and shaded refuge; expect plant damage.

Feeding: Plant-rich flakes or pellets, vegetables, and varied suitable aquatic foods.

Tank mates: Keep a school of at least five to six with calm, suitably sized companions. Confirm species before planning a mixed school.

Breeding: Egg scatterers; separate eggs from adults. Tiger markings alone do not establish a scientific identification.

Listed fish / animals: Tiger Silver Dollar · Silver Dollar

Related Care Guides

Species references and further reading

Ordering & Shipping

Orders must be placed by Sunday night to ship Monday. Check the individual product listing for available sizes, quantities, and shipping and live-arrival terms.

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