Chocolate Cichlid

About

The chocolate cichlid (Hypselecara temporalis) is one of those fish that surprises people once they get to know it. Despite growing to a genuinely impressive size, this species carries itself with a calm, unhurried demeanor that sets it apart from many of its cichlid relatives. It's found across a broad stretch of South America, inhabiting slow-moving, murky waters through the Amazon basin. Including drainages in Peru, Colombia, and Brazil. In the wild it's built for patience, cruising turbid rivers where visibility is low and competition is constant. Coloration can vary quite a bit depending on mood and condition, ranging from warm earthy browns to flashes of green and gold along the flanks, which likely explains both common names attached to this fish. In the aquarium, its peaceful disposition makes it a workable choice for large community setups, pairing well with sizable characins, catfish, and loricariids. The one catch is aggression toward its own kind. Conspecifics tend to clash, so keep that in mind if you're thinking about a group. A single specimen or a bonded pair in a roomy tank usually works out well. Care sits comfortably at an intermediate level, mostly due to the space requirements and its preference for soft, warm, slightly acidic water.