Eartheater Cichlid

Geographic Origin and Biotope: Native to the large Amazon basins, in particular Rio Negro and Rio Trombetas (Brazil). Inhabits warm, sandy and calm waters (clear or dark), foraging the bottom in the shelter of flooded woods and submerged roots.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Geophagus (Earth-eating Cichlid). Large (25 cm / 10 inches) and elegant species. Steep cranial profile (hence "altifrons", high forehead), with mouth positioned low to favor benthic nutrition. Laterally compressed body and very extensive fins.

Social Behavior: Essential gregariousness. Must be strictly kept in schools (5-8 specimens) to dissipate hierarchical aggression; single specimens become shy or, conversely, neurotic. Incessantly busy digging ("earth-eater").

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Spectacle of iridescence. Sand or gray background, covered by iridescent light blue, green and golden streaks on the flanks and on the wide fins, which have very long terminal filaments (especially in dominant males). Females are identical but slightly less stocky and less gaudy.

Aquarium Setup: Very large tank (minimum 150 cm / 5 feet in length / 400 liters). THE BOTTOM IS CRITICAL: strictly and only use very fine sand (not sharp quartz or gravel) 5-7 cm deep. Arrange arched woods and Echinodorus (if well anchored, they might be uprooted).

Diet and Feeding: Filters the sand through its gills, extracting benthic invertebrates. In the aquarium they swallow mouthfuls of sand mixed with food, spitting out the gravel. Feed with sinking pellets (max 1-2 mm), bloodworms, tubifex and frozen brine shrimp. Food that doesn't sink will be ignored.

Water Quality: Warm Amazonian waters: 26-30°C (79-86°F), pH 6.0-7.5, soft (GH 4-10). Being constantly moving bottom sifters, they raise a lot of particulate matter: the mechanical filter must be excellent. Nitrates must remain below 20 ppm.

Compatibility and Tankmates: Large but docile cichlid. Perfect in immense South American biotope tanks (Geophagus tank) in the company of large schools of Tetras (Cardinals, Bleheri), Loricariids (Ancistrus, Panaque), Uaru or Severum. Ignores fish that swim high.

Aquarium Reproduction: Delayed maternal mouthbrooders. After laying and fertilizing the eggs (100-200) on a meticulously cleaned smooth stone, at the time of hatching (72h) the female welcomes the larvae into her mouth (mouthbrooding) protecting them for weeks and releasing them only to let them feed.

Risks and Diseases: Sharp substrates, coarse gravel or basalt will cause chronic abrasions to the mouth and gills which will lead them to death (Mouth rot). Sensitive to Hexamita (hole in the head) if subjected to strong stress from poor water quality or vitamin deficiencies.