Hypselecara temporalis, the Chocolate Cichlid, is native to the Amazon River basin in Brazil and Peru, where it inhabits slow-moving rivers, flooded forests, and blackwater lagoons characterised by soft, warm, acidic water with heavy tannin staining. It belongs to the 'heroini' tribe of New World cichlids and is closely related to the Festivum and Severum cichlids.
Adult Chocolate Cichlids are large, laterally compressed fish reaching up to 30 cm. The body is a rich brown to olive-chocolate color with emerald-green iridescent scaling, a dark spot on the shoulder, and reddish-orange tones on the belly and lower fins of breeding adults. The overall appearance is one of understated elegance compared to more vibrantly patterned cichlids.
Despite their size, Chocolate Cichlids are considered semi-aggressive rather than highly aggressive. They are generally peaceful toward fish of similar or larger size but may bully smaller or more submissive tankmates. They are not significant diggers and do not destroy planted aquariums as aggressively as many large cichlids, making them somewhat more compatible with robust planted setups.
Chocolate Cichlids are best kept in pairs or groups of compatible individuals in a large aquarium. They are biparental broodcarers, and a bonded pair will spawn readily in the home aquarium when well-conditioned. The species is moderately available in the hobby and appeals to cichlid enthusiasts seeking a large, relatively peaceful species.
