Chocolate Cichlid 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 and gets along with other South American cichlids and grows to about the same size as an Oscar.  Scientific Name: Hypselecara temporalis Origin: Central America Lifespan: 15 years Max Size: 10 inches Food: Flake, live, frozen, pellet Shipping Size: Approx. 2 inches