🍫 Chocolate Cichlid – (Hypselecara temporalis) – Large Peaceful South American Cichlid

The Chocolate Cichlid (Hypselecara temporalis), also commonly called the Emerald Cichlid, is a large South American cichlid famous for its unusual ability to shift between beautiful shades of olive green, chocolate brown, bronze, orange, burgundy, wine red, and gold.

Unlike many large cichlids, the Chocolate Cichlid is generally known for having a comparatively calm and peaceful temperament, making it an excellent centerpiece fish for a properly planned large South American aquarium.

Adults develop a deep, high-bodied profile with a characteristic dark blotch along the side. Mature specimens can become especially colorful, with shades of:

• Olive green
• Chocolate brown
• Bronze
• Burgundy
• Wine red
• Orange
• Gold
• Reddish purple

The eyes may range from amber-gold to striking red.

This is a substantial cichlid capable of reaching approximately 12 inches, so it should not be treated as a medium-sized 8-inch species.

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🔎 Quick Facts – Chocolate Cichlid

• 📛 Common Name: Chocolate Cichlid
• 📛 Other Name: Emerald Cichlid
• 🔬 Scientific Name: Hypselecara temporalis
• 📅 Originally Described: 1862
• 🐟 Family: Cichlidae
• 🧬 Genus: Hypselecara
• 📏 Current Listing Size: Approximately 5–6 inches
• 🌎 Origin: South America
• 🌊 Native Region: Amazon River Basin
• 🇧🇷 Native Country: Brazil
• 🇨🇴 Native Country: Colombia
• 🇵🇪 Native Country: Peru
• 🇪🇨 Native Country: Ecuador
• 💧 Water Type: Freshwater
• 🌊 Natural Habitat: Slow-flowing and relatively calm tropical waters
• 📏 Maximum Documented Size: Approximately 12 inches / 30 cm total length
• 📏 Adult Planning Size: Approximately 10–12 inches
• 🏠 Recommended Aquarium: Approximately 90 gallons or larger for one adult
• 🏠 Pair / Community Aquarium: Approximately 125+ gallons preferred
• 📐 Aquarium Length: Approximately 5 feet or longer strongly preferred
• 🌡️ Temperature: Approximately 76–84°F
• 💧 pH: Approximately 5.0–7.5
• 💦 Water: Soft to moderately mineralized
• 🌊 Water Movement: Gentle to Moderate
• 💨 Oxygenation: Good
• 🍽️ Diet: Omnivore
• 🦐 Animal / Insect Foods: Important
• 🌿 Plant-Based Foods: Useful as part of a varied diet
• 😌 Temperament: Generally peaceful for a large cichlid
• ⚠️ Breeding Temperament: Territorial while spawning and guarding fry
• 🥚 Breeding: Substrate Spawner
• 👨‍👩‍👧 Parental Care: Biparental
• ♂️ Mature Male Trait: May develop a pronounced frontal / nuchal hump
• ⭐ Care Level: Intermediate
• 🌎 IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

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🧬 Valid Scientific Species

The currently accepted scientific name is:

Hypselecara temporalis

The species was originally described in:

1862

by Albert Günther.

It was originally described as:

Heros temporalis

Older aquarium and scientific literature may also place this fish under names such as:

• Cichlasoma temporale
• Heros temporalis

Modern taxonomy recognizes it as:

Hypselecara temporalis

For this product, use:

Chocolate Cichlid – (Hypselecara temporalis)

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🍫 Why Is It Called the Chocolate Cichlid?

The name:

CHOCOLATE CICHLID

comes from the deep:

• Chocolate brown
• Burgundy
• Bronze
• Wine-red

colors commonly displayed by mature fish.

However, this species is much more colorful than its name suggests.

A healthy adult may also show:

• Olive green
• Mustard yellow
• Orange
• Gold
• Red
• Purple
• Metallic green

depending on the individual and its condition.

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🎨 A Cichlid That Changes Color

One of the most interesting characteristics of Hypselecara temporalis is its ability to change appearance dramatically.

The same fish can look:

• Olive green
• Brown
• Bronze
• Red
• Burgundy
• Orange
• Nearly gray

at different times.

Coloration can change because of:

• Mood
• Stress
• Breeding condition
• Aquarium lighting
• Background color
• Social interactions
• Water conditions
• Age

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⚠️ Do Not Guarantee One Exact Adult Color

Because Chocolate Cichlids are naturally variable:

EXACT ADULT COLORATION CANNOT BE GUARANTEED

A juvenile that appears mostly brown may develop strong:

• Red
• Orange
• Green
• Burgundy

coloration as it matures.

Likewise, a brightly colored fish may temporarily become much darker or paler when stressed.

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⚫ Characteristic Dark Body Blotch

A typical Hypselecara temporalis develops a noticeable:

DARK MID-BODY BLOTCH

The prominence of this marking varies according to the fish's:

• Mood
• Age
• Stress level
• Geographic origin

Some specimens also show darker markings toward the:

CAUDAL PEDUNCLE

near the base of the tail.

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👁️ Beautiful Red Eyes

Mature Chocolate Cichlids often develop striking eyes.

The iris can range from:

• Amber
• Gold
• Orange
• Deep red

The reddish eye can become especially impressive when combined with the mature fish's:

• Olive-green body
• Burgundy belly
• Bronze scales

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🆚 Chocolate Cichlid vs. Hypselecara coryphaenoides

There are two recognized species within the genus:

Hypselecara

and both may occasionally be referred to as Chocolate Cichlids.

The two are:

Hypselecara temporalis

and:

Hypselecara coryphaenoides

They should not be confused.

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🍫 Hypselecara temporalis

The species on this page generally develops:

• Deeper body
• Steeper forehead
• Olive-green coloration
• Red or wine-colored lower body
• Distinctive mid-body dark blotch
• Larger adult size

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🍫 Hypselecara coryphaenoides

The other species tends to have:

• More elongated body
• More gradual forehead profile
• Darker brown coloration
• Different placement of the major dark blotch

For this product:

THE CORRECT SPECIES IS Hypselecara temporalis

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🌎 Native Distribution

The Chocolate Cichlid is widely distributed throughout portions of the:

AMAZON RIVER BASIN

Current scientific records include populations from:

• 🇧🇷 Brazil
• 🇨🇴 Colombia
• 🇵🇪 Peru
• 🇪🇨 Ecuador

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🇵🇪 Peru

The species is documented from the:

UCAYALI AND AMAZON RIVER DRAINAGES

of Peru.

The Ucayali is one of the major headwater systems forming the Amazon River.

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🇨🇴 Colombia

Chocolate Cichlids are also documented within the:

AMAZONAS RIVER DRAINAGE

of Colombia.

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🇧🇷 Brazil

The species has an extensive Brazilian distribution including portions of the:

SOLIMÕES–AMAZON SYSTEM

and additional eastern Amazonian drainages.

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⚠️ Remove Venezuela From the Origin

The older product page lists:

VENEZUELA

as part of the native distribution.

I would remove that.

For the updated page, use:

AMAZON BASIN – BRAZIL, COLOMBIA, PERU & ECUADOR

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🌊 Natural Habitat

Hypselecara temporalis is documented from:

SLOW-FLOWING, TURBID WATER

rather than high-energy rapids.

This is important when designing the aquarium.

Chocolate Cichlids are not rheophilic fish that need to battle powerful current all day.

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🌊 Gentle to Moderate Flow

Provide:

GENTLE TO MODERATE WATER MOVEMENT

with enough circulation to:

• Maintain oxygen
• Prevent dead zones
• Carry waste toward filtration

but avoid turning the aquarium into a high-speed river tank.

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🪵 Natural-Style Aquarium

A suitable Chocolate Cichlid aquarium can contain:

• Large driftwood
• Branches
• Smooth rocks
• Sand
• Open swimming space
• Shaded areas
• Hardy plants
• Floating plants

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🌿 Plants

Chocolate Cichlids can work better in planted aquariums than many large Central and South American cichlids.

However, a large adult may still:

• Dig
• Move substrate
• Disturb roots
• Damage delicate plants

Use hardy species and secure them well.

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🌱 Good Plant Choices

Plants attached to décor can be especially useful.

Examples include:

• Anubias
• Java Fern
• Bolbitis

Floating plants can also provide:

• Shade
• Security
• Diffused lighting

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🌑 Subdued Lighting

Chocolate Cichlids often appreciate:

SUBDUED LIGHTING

Strong lighting without sufficient cover may cause shy individuals to:

• Hide
• Darken
• Become nervous

Use:

• Driftwood
• Floating plants
• Shaded areas

to create secure resting locations.

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📏 Adult Size – Important Correction

The current product page lists:

UP TO 8 INCHES

That is too small.

FishBase documents Hypselecara temporalis reaching:

30 CM TOTAL LENGTH

or approximately:

12 INCHES

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📏 Responsible Adult Planning

For customers purchasing this species:

EXPECT APPROXIMATELY 10–12 INCHES

Large mature males can become especially:

• Deep-bodied
• Thick
• Heavy

so aquarium space should be planned around more than just length.

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🏠 Aquarium Size – Important Update

The current:

55-GALLON

recommendation is too small for a permanent adult setup.

For one adult Chocolate Cichlid:

APPROXIMATELY 90 GALLONS OR LARGER

is a much better long-term recommendation.

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👫 Pair or Community Aquarium

For:

• A bonded pair
• Chocolate Cichlid with other large cichlids
• Multiple large community fish

I recommend:

125+ GALLONS

with larger aquariums preferable when several large fish are present.

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📐 Aquarium Length

A mature Chocolate Cichlid should have substantial horizontal swimming room.

Aim for approximately:

5 FEET OR LONGER

whenever possible.

A longer aquarium provides:

• More swimming space
• Better territorial separation
• More décor options
• Greater compatibility with tankmates

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💩 Adult Bioload

A 10–12 inch cichlid produces substantial:

• Solid waste
• Dissolved waste
• Food debris

Use appropriately sized:

MECHANICAL + BIOLOGICAL FILTRATION

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💧 Water Parameters

A practical long-term range is:

• 🌡️ Temperature: Approximately 76–84°F
• 💧 pH: Approximately 5.0–7.5
• 💦 Hardness: Soft to moderately mineralized
• 🌊 Water Movement: Gentle to Moderate
• 💨 Oxygenation: Good
• ☠️ Ammonia: 0 ppm
• ☠️ Nitrite: 0 ppm
• 🔄 Nitrate: Keep reasonably low

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🌡️ Temperature

A good general maintenance range is:

76–84°F

Chocolate Cichlids can tolerate relatively warm tropical conditions.

However, stability is more important than constantly adjusting temperature within the acceptable range.

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💧 Soft, Slightly Acidic Water

Much of the species' natural distribution consists of soft Amazonian water.

A slightly acidic aquarium is ideal.

However, established aquarium fish can often adapt to reasonably stable:

NEAR-NEUTRAL WATER

provided extremes are avoided.

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⚠️ Stability Matters

Avoid sudden changes in:

• Temperature
• pH
• Hardness
• Total dissolved solids

Gradual acclimation is especially important when moving fish between substantially different water conditions.

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🔄 Regular Water Changes

Large cichlids benefit greatly from consistent water changes.

The exact schedule depends on:

• Aquarium volume
• Fish size
• Number of tankmates
• Feeding
• Filtration

Maintain:

AMMONIA = 0

and:

NITRITE = 0

at all times.

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🍽️ Diet – Omnivore

The Chocolate Cichlid is best described as:

OMNIVOROUS

and should receive a varied diet.

FishBase gives the species a relatively low omnivorous trophic level based on recorded food items, rather than identifying it as a specialized predator.

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🥣 Quality Cichlid Pellets

A good-quality cichlid pellet can form the foundation of the captive diet.

Choose a food appropriate for:

• Large South American cichlids
• Omnivorous species
• The fish's mouth size

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🦐 Animal & Insect Foods

Useful supplementary foods include:

• Mysis shrimp
• Brine shrimp
• Krill
• Bloodworms
• Earthworms
• Insect-based foods
• Quality frozen cichlid foods

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🌿 Plant-Based Foods

Plant ingredients should also be represented in the overall diet.

Suitable options include:

• Spirulina-containing pellets
• Vegetable-containing cichlid foods
• Quality omnivore formulas
• Occasional appropriate vegetables

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⚖️ Balanced Diet

The goal should be:

QUALITY PREPARED FOOD + INSECT / AQUATIC PROTEIN + PLANT MATERIAL

rather than feeding only:

• Meat

or only:

• Vegetable matter

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🚫 Avoid Feeder Fish

There is no nutritional need to feed live feeder fish.

Feeders can introduce:

• Parasites
• Bacterial disease
• Poor nutrition

Quality prepared and frozen foods are safer.

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🍽️ Avoid Overfeeding

Chocolate Cichlids are enthusiastic feeders and can become overweight when given excessive rich food.

Feed enough to maintain:

• Good body condition
• Strong growth
• Healthy coloration

without allowing large amounts of uneaten food to accumulate.

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😌 Temperament – Peaceful for a Large Cichlid

One of the Chocolate Cichlid's greatest attractions is its generally:

CALM TEMPERAMENT

Compared with many similarly sized cichlids, Hypselecara temporalis is often:

• Less aggressive
• Less confrontational
• More tolerant of tankmates

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⚠️ Peaceful Does Not Mean Defenseless

Every cichlid is an individual.

A Chocolate Cichlid may still:

• Defend territory
• Chase tankmates
• Guard food
• Become aggressive while breeding

Provide enough space for fish to avoid one another.

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💕 Breeding Aggression

A normally peaceful pair can become significantly more territorial when:

• Pairing
• Spawning
• Guarding eggs
• Protecting fry

Tankmates may need substantially more space during these periods.

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🐠 Tankmates

Potential tankmates may include appropriately sized:

• Severums
• Geophagus
• Large peaceful Acara-type cichlids
• Silver dollars
• Large tetras
• Peaceful catfish
• Plecos
• Other mild large South American species

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⚠️ Avoid Extremely Aggressive Cichlids

Chocolate Cichlids may be intimidated by highly aggressive species.

Avoid forcing them to compete constantly with extremely territorial fish that:

• Chase continuously
• Control the entire aquarium
• Prevent feeding
• Prevent access to shelter

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🐟 Small Fish

A large Chocolate Cichlid has a relatively modest mouth compared with many predators, but:

VERY SMALL FISH MAY STILL BE AT RISK

Tankmates should be appropriately sized.

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🧠 Personality

Chocolate Cichlids often become very responsive to their keeper.

Established adults may:

• Recognize feeding routines
• Approach the front glass
• Follow movement outside the aquarium
• Learn where food is offered

This combination of size and relatively calm behavior makes them excellent:

CENTERPIECE FISH

for large aquariums.

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♂️ Male vs. Female

Chocolate Cichlids are not always easy to sex when young.

Sexual differences become more obvious with maturity.

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♂️ Mature Males

FishBase notes that mature males may develop a:

WELL-DEVELOPED FRONTAL HUMP

also commonly called a:

• Nuchal hump
• Forehead hump

Mature males may also become:

• Larger
• Deeper-bodied
• More robust

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♀️ Mature Females

Females generally remain:

• Somewhat smaller
• Less strongly humped

than mature males.

However:

DO NOT SEX JUVENILES BY COLOR ALONE

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🥚 Captive Breeding – Confirmed

Chocolate Cichlids are:

BIPARENTAL SUBSTRATE SPAWNERS

Captive breeding is well established.

Both parents participate in:

• Protecting eggs
• Guarding larvae
• Defending fry

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💕 Pair Formation

Chocolate Cichlids can be selective when choosing mates.

A naturally bonded pair is generally preferable to simply forcing two random mature fish together.

Introductions should be monitored carefully.

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🪨 Spawning Site

Aquarium pairs may choose:

• Flat rocks
• Slate
• Large smooth surfaces
• Prepared substrate areas
• Excavated pits

FishBase specifically records spawning in:

HOLES DUG IN THE SUBSTRATE

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🥚 Egg Laying

A pair cleans and prepares the selected spawning location.

The female deposits eggs and the male follows to fertilize them.

Large mature females may produce:

SEVERAL HUNDRED EGGS

although clutch size varies.

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👨‍👩‍👧 Biparental Care

Both parents participate in brood care.

They may:

• Fan the eggs
• Remove damaged eggs
• Guard the spawning site
• Move larvae
• Dig nursery pits
• Protect free-swimming fry

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🕳️ Moving the Larvae

Chocolate Cichlids may excavate pits in the substrate and move developing young between protected locations.

This behavior is normal.

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🐣 Fry

Once free swimming, fry can be offered appropriately sized foods such as:

• Baby brine shrimp
• Fine quality fry food
• Crushed high-quality flakes
• Fine cichlid foods

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🛡️ Excellent Parents

Established pairs can provide impressive parental care.

Both adults may aggressively defend the brood against perceived threats.

For this reason:

BREEDING PAIRS REQUIRE ADEQUATE TERRITORY

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⚠️ First-Time Parents

Young or inexperienced pairs may occasionally:

• Eat eggs
• Abandon a spawn
• Fight
• Fail to protect fry

This does not necessarily mean the pair will never breed successfully.

Experience often improves subsequent spawning attempts.

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🌎 Conservation Status

Hypselecara temporalis is currently classified as:

LEAST CONCERN

on the IUCN Red List.

The assessment dates to:

2020

The species has a broad Amazonian distribution.

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⭐ Why Keep a Chocolate Cichlid?

The Chocolate Cichlid combines:

• 🍫 Beautiful chocolate and burgundy coloration
• 🟢 Olive and emerald-green tones
• 🔴 Striking mature red coloration
• 👁️ Amber-to-red eyes
• ⚫ Distinctive dark body blotch
• 📏 Impressive 10–12 inch adult potential
• 😌 Comparatively peaceful temperament
• 🌊 Amazon River heritage
• 🧠 Interactive personality
• 🥚 Fascinating breeding behavior
• 👨‍👩‍👧 Excellent biparental care
• 🌈 Dramatic color changes

into one of the most interesting large South American cichlids available to aquarium keepers.

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⚠️ Important Considerations

Before purchasing a Chocolate Cichlid:

• The correct scientific name is Hypselecara temporalis.
• The species remains scientifically valid.
• Older literature may use Heros temporalis or Cichlasoma temporale.
• The species is native to the Amazon River Basin.
• Current scientific records include Brazil, Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador.
• Remove Venezuela from the current origin description.
• Natural habitat includes slow-flowing and turbid waters.
• Do not provide extreme current.
• Provide gentle to moderate water movement.
• Adult coloration can change dramatically.
• Exact adult color cannot be guaranteed.
• A dark mid-body blotch is characteristic.
• Mature males may develop a pronounced frontal hump.
• The current listing size is approximately 5–6 inches.
• Do not use 8 inches as the adult maximum.
• FishBase documents approximately 12 inches / 30 cm total length.
• Plan for approximately 10–12 inches.
• Increase the permanent aquarium recommendation above 55 gallons.
• Approximately 90 gallons or larger is recommended for one adult.
• Approximately 125+ gallons is preferred for a pair or large-fish community.
• A 5-foot or longer aquarium is strongly preferred.
• Maintain approximately 76–84°F.
• Maintain approximately pH 5.0–7.5.
• Stable water conditions are important.
• Maintain ammonia and nitrite at zero.
• Feed a varied omnivorous diet.
• Use quality cichlid pellets as a staple.
• Supplement with insect and aquatic-animal foods.
• Include appropriate plant ingredients.
• Do not use feeder fish.
• The species is generally peaceful for its size.
• Individuals can still become territorial.
• Breeding pairs can become significantly more aggressive.
• Choose similarly peaceful, appropriately sized tankmates.
• Chocolate Cichlids are confirmed substrate spawners.
• Both parents guard the eggs and young.
• The species is currently classified as Least Concern.
• Never release aquarium fish into natural waterways.

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🧬 Taxonomy

The currently accepted scientific name is:

Hypselecara temporalis (Günther, 1862)

Classification:

• Order: Cichliformes
• Family: Cichlidae
• Subfamily: Cichlinae
• Genus: Hypselecara
• Species: temporalis

Original scientific combination:

Heros temporalis

For this product, use:

Chocolate Cichlid – (Hypselecara temporalis)

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🚚 Live Fish Shipping

Live fish are professionally packed for safe transport.

Shipping availability depends on:

• Fish size
• Destination
• Weather conditions
• Carrier availability
• Applicable state and local regulations

Larger Chocolate Cichlids may require:

• Larger insulated shipping boxes
• Additional water
• Heavy-duty shipping bags
• Multiple protective bag layers
• Specialized packing
• Airline cargo shipping depending on size and destination

Please review our Shipping & Payment Information and Live Arrival Guarantee / DOA Policy before ordering.

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⚠️ Buyer Responsibility

Customers are responsible for confirming that Hypselecara temporalis may legally be purchased, possessed, transported, and received in their state or local jurisdiction before ordering.

Never release aquarium fish into natural waterways.