Head to head
Blue Acara vs Green Terror
The blue acara and green terror both belong to the genus Andinoacara from South America, but their temperaments could hardly be more different despite their close relationship.
| Blue Acara | Green Terror | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Andinoacara pulcher | Andinoacara rivulatus |
| Temperament | Relatively peaceful | Strongly territorial, aggressive |
| Body colour | Olive-brown with turquoise speckling | Iridescent green with orange fin edging |
| Nuchal hump in mature males | Not pronounced | Pronounced |
| Suitability for beginners | High | Lower, requires careful planning |
| Native range | Trinidad, Venezuela, Colombia | Pacific slope of Ecuador and Peru |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Habitat | Wetlands | Wetlands |
Blue Acara vs Green Terror: common questions
Are the blue acara and green terror closely related?
Yes, both species belong to the genus Andinoacara from South America, making them close relatives despite their considerably different temperaments, with the blue acara being relatively calm and the green terror living up to its fearsome common name through persistent territorial behaviour.
Which is the better cichlid for a beginner, the blue acara or the green terror?
The blue acara is the better choice for a beginner, being relatively peaceful and tolerant of varied water conditions, while the green terror requires more careful tankmate selection and a spacious aquarium due to its persistently territorial, combative temperament.
How can you tell a blue acara from a green terror?
The blue acara has an olive-brown body speckled with iridescent turquoise flecks, while the green terror instead displays an iridescent green sheen combined with orange-red fin edging, and mature male green terrors also develop a pronounced forehead hump not typically seen in the blue acara.