Red Head Tapajós Eartheater

Geographic Origin and Biotope: Endemic to the Rio Tapajós, in Brazil. Swims in "clear" rivers (Clearwater) with a strong water flow, boundless bottoms of blinding white sand and few natural obstacles.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Red Head Tapajos (Geophagus sp. "Orange Head" / "Red Head"). One of the most sought after Geophagus. Massive morphology, steep head for digging. Presents very extensive pelvic and caudal filaments in healthy specimens.

Social Behavior: Peaceful, but "spectacular". A school (minimum 6-8 individuals) will give rise to continuous displays with spread fins, opening the mouth enormously and slapping the tail to visually dominate the opponents.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Mind-blowing: coppery base body, with a phosphorescent orange/bright red cap covering the entire nape of the adult fish (hence "Red Head"). The fins are an expanse of blue and red cobwebs. Males larger and with a more colored and pronounced head.

Aquarium Setup: Sand, sand, sand. An endless expanse of sugar sand, combined with round river pebbles and scattered smooth roots. No rough gravel, to avoid irreparable gill injuries. 150 cm (60 inch) tank.

Diet and Feeding: Swallows huge gulps of sand and filters them by expelling the grains from the gill slits. Offer cichlid feeds (very soft and sinking), frozen brine shrimp, krill. The intestine is long, avoid mammalian-based foods (beef heart).

Water Quality: The Tapajós is a warm river. This fish wastes away dramatically if the temperature drops below 26°C (79°F). The water must be perfect: nitrates instantly turn off its orange reflections.

Compatibility and Tankmates: Fabulous with large Amazonian characins (Bleeding Heart, Rummy-Nose), Angelfish or peaceful Cichlids like Uaru, Heros (Severum). Not to be joined with piranhas, Arowanas, or bellicose Central American Cichlids.

Aquarium Reproduction: Delayed biparental mouthbrooder. The pair cleans a rock or flat wood, lays, and after 72 hours swallows the eggs ready to hatch or the larvae, keeping them in the jugular sac for two weeks in absolute fasting!

Risks and Diseases: Hole in the Head disease (HITH) is very frequent due to unclean sand and water pollution (nitrates). Stagnant water leads them to anoxia.