Redhump Eartheater

Geographic Origin and Biotope: Magdalena and Cauca river basin in Colombia. Inhabits crystal clear mountain rivers with fast and oxygen-rich waters, on beds covered with gravel, smooth sand and round pebbles.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Redhump Eartheater (Geophagus steindachneri). Unique in its genus for its appearance: unlike classic "torpedo" Geophagus, it has a squat body, huge sucker-like lips and a disproportionate fleshy red "hump" on the forehead of dominant males.

Social Behavior: Polymorphic cichlid that lives in a "harem". The dominant male is a tireless despot who patrols the territory and drives away rivals, gathering a group of 3-5 females that he tolerates only if they are ready to reproduce.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Sand-gray background with golden iridescence; lacks the lateral black spot typical of Geophagus. Dimorphism is drastic: the male is larger and develops a giant bright red bump (nuchal hump), as well as pointed filaments.

Aquarium Setup: Requires a lot of bottom surface area (minimum 120 cm / 48 inches). Fine sand MANDATORY (swallows sharp small stones that kill it). Many woods and smooth rocks to break the line of sight, so that females can escape the male's suffocating attentions.

Diet and Feeding: Sand sifter (Eartheater). Doesn't bite prey, sucks the sand and filters it. Offer small-sized sinking pellets, chopped krill and bloodworms. Also grazes encrusting algae on rocks.

Water Quality: Requires very clean waters and very strong currents. If nitrates exceed 20 ppm or the water is stagnant, the fish loses vitality, the male deflates the hump and they develop hole in the head (HITH).

Compatibility and Tankmates: Excellent with lively schooling characins (Buenos Aires Tetra, Astyanax) which act as "dither fish" to reassure it. Terrible with aggressive Cichlids or with other Geophagus (which the male will attack incessantly).

Aquarium Reproduction: Maternal Mouthbrooder. The male does not participate in care. The female lays on the sand and, comically, the male waves his sperm in her face. The mother will brood the young in her mouth for 3 weeks, starving herself.

Risks and Diseases: Exhaustion of females. If kept in single pairs (1 Male / 1 Female), the male will stress the partner to death by forcing her to spawn endlessly, until she dies of starvation.