Chocolate Cichlid

About the Chocolate Cichlid

The Emerald Cichlid, also known as the Chocolate Cichlid (Hypselecara temporalis), is a large, South American freshwater fish known for its stunning color shifts from deep browns to vibrant reds, oranges, and greens, often with a prominent black spot and large eyes, making it a popular, generally peaceful but sizable addition to community tanks with similar fish like Discus and Angelfish, needing spacious setups with driftwood and soft substrate.

Husbandry & Care:

Temperament: Peaceful/Semi-Aggressive

Minimum Tank Size: 55 Gallons for an individual fish

Water Temperature: 77-86 °F

Water pH: 5.0-7.0

Social Group: Solitary, Pair, or small group (75+ Gallons required)

Diet: Omnivorous; Algae, blanched vegetables (spinach, zucchini), commercial flakes/pellets, frozen brine shrimp/bloodworms, chopped prawn.

Compatible with: Corydoradinae Catfish, Raphael Catfish, Bristlenose Pleco, Congo Tetra, Colombian Tetra, Discus, Geophagus sp., Angelfish