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Freshwater fishChocolate Cichlid
Chocolate Cichlid
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Chocolate cichlids, also called emerald cichlids for the small amount of green on the otherwise chocolate body, come from Central America, so they are not as common in the trade as other cichlids. The chocolate cichlid is gentle, gets along with other South American cichlids and grows to about the same size as an oscar.
Quick Facts
| Scientific Name | Hypselecara temporalis |
| Origin | Amazon basin (Brazil, Peru, Colombia) |
| Care Level | Easy to moderate |
| Temperament | Peaceful for a cichlid |
| Adult Size | Up to 10–12" |
| Lifespan | 10–15 years |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Water Temperature | 76–84°F |
| pH | 5.5–7.0 |
| Group Size | Single, pair or small group |
| Shipping Size | Approx. 2" |
Care Guide
Tank setup: Give them a sand or fine gravel bottom, driftwood, rocks and sturdy plants. Good filtration is important, since these cichlids grow large and produce a lot of waste.
Feeding: Feed a quality cichlid pellet or flake once or twice a day. They also enjoy frozen foods like bloodworms and brine shrimp.
Tankmates: They do well with other peaceful South American cichlids of similar size like angelfish, eartheaters and severums, plus larger tetras, silver dollars and plecos. They may eat very small fish.
Good to know: These cichlids are known for their personality and often learn to recognize their owners.
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