Species Profile
Green Chromide
Etroplus suratensis
Also known as: Pearl Spot, Banded Etroplus
Cichlidssemi-aggressive
Adult size
16″
Minimum tank
125 gal
Temperature
72–82°F
pH
7.5–8.5
Schooling
Solitary OK
Water level
mid
Grows from juvenile
Typically sold at ~3″ and reaches 16″ over ~2 years. Plan tank size for the adult, not the fish at purchase.Diet
Veggie flake, blanched lettuce, spirulina pellets, frozen krill
Notes
Big green-and-pearl Asian cichlid. The largest of the Etroplus and a serious tank investment. Adults need brackish (specific gravity 1.005–1.015) for long-term health and don't survive in pure freshwater for more than a few years. Territorial during breeding.
Photo: Arayilpdas at Malayalam Wikipedia. / Wikimedia Commons · Source · CC-BY-2.5