Pearl Cichlid
Geophagus brasiliensis
South America's 'earth eater': takes mouthfuls of sand, filters them through the gills extracting micro-organisms, and spits out the residue. This 'earth eating' behavior is unique and hypnotic to watch. Olive-green body with pearly iridescent scales and a central black spot. Tolerant of low temperatures (down to 14 °C). Reaches 25+ cm — large tank mandatory.
Température de l’eau
20 - 28 °C
Valeur du pH
6 - 8
Type d'eau
Eau douce
Niveau dans le bac
Fond et milieu
Taille adulte
25 cm
Volume minimal du bac
>= 200 L
Groupe minimal
>= 2
GH
4 - 15 dGH
KH
2 - 7 dKH
TDS
80 - 295 ppm
Conductivité
125 - 461 uS/cm
Description de l'espèce
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Extremely widespread throughout southern Brazil and Uruguay. It is not a true Amazonian fish: it inhabits coastal rivers, lakes and even brackish lagoons with muddy bottoms and distinctly cooler temperatures compared to the Amazon basin.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Pearl Cichlid. Belongs to the "brasiliensis" complex (often not true Geophagus). Much stockier and more aggressive build compared to classic eartheaters; easily reaches 25-28 cm (10-11 inches) in length and considerable thickness.
Social Behavior: Unlike true Geophagus (peaceful and gregarious), the brasiliensis is an extremely territorial, irascible and solitary fish (or to be kept in a single pair). Closely resembles the brawling character of large Central American Cichlids.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Background varying from dark olive green to gray, literally studded with hundreds of huge light blue, golden and white "pearls". A large black ocellus stands out in the center of the flank. Adult males develop a colossal and evident nuchal hump and pointed fins.
Soins, reproduction et cohabitation
Aquarium Setup: Robust tank of at least 300 liters (80 gallons) for a pair. Despite the name, they dig the sand much less, preferring to move large pebbles to delimit their territory. Spartan furnishings with heavy stones glued to the bottom, large woods. They destroy delicate plants.
Diet and Feeding: Extremely voracious omnivore (not a filter-feeding micro-predator). Greedily accepts huge cichlid pellets, whole earthworms, shelled shrimp, mussels and strips of fish. Supplement weekly with peas and spirulina for intestinal health.
Water Quality: A stainless rock. Perfect fish for beginners of large cichlids thanks to its frightening tolerance: pH 6.0-8.0, GH 4-15, temperatures even very cool (20-28°C / 68-82°F). Also tolerates and thrives in slightly brackish waters.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: In small tanks it will kill its own kind and other fish. Cohabits well only in giant tanks (over 600 liters / 150 gallons) with other giants with a strong temperament: Jack Dempsey, Oscars, large armored Loricariids. Absolutely unsuitable for peaceful fish or true Geophagus.
Aquarium Breeding: Open substrate spawners (not mouthbrooders). The pair obsessively cleans a flat stone or the bottom glass, laying up to 800 eggs. The violence with which they defend the offspring is unprecedented: they will ruthlessly attack the breeder's siphon.
Risks and Diseases: Very robust from a pathological point of view. The most serious risk in the aquarium hobby is mistaken identity: sold as a peaceful eartheater, it ends up decimating tankmates. Subject to Hexamita (holes in the head) only if kept in filthy water.
Origine et répartition géographiques
Extremely widespread throughout southern Brazil and Uruguay. It is not a true Amazonian fish: it inhabits coastal rivers, lakes and even brackish lagoons with muddy bottoms and distinctly cooler temperatures compared to the Amazon basin.
Origine
Cosmopolite ou introduitAmazonie, Orénoque et Guyanes
Profil de poisson
- Tempérament
- Semi-aggressive
- It is a mild-mannered cichlid. Unprovoked aggression is very rare. It is a wonderful centerpiece fish.
- Régime alimentaire
- Omnivore
- It is an eartheater. Feed sinking pellets and frozen bloodworms. A fine sand substrate is mandatory.
- Espérance de vie
- 8-15 years
- Taille adulte
- 25 cm
- Ratio des sexes
- Group
- Keep them in groups. This diffuses natural aggression. Pairs will emerge as they mature.
- Fréquence d'alimentation
- Twice daily
- It constantly sifts the sand. Feed multiple small meals daily. This mimics natural continuous foraging.
- Charge biologique
- High
- This fish produces a high bioload. Robust biological filtration is essential. Frequent water changes are necessary.
- Courant
- Strong
- It originates from riverine environments. It prefers moderate water flow. Provide resting areas with calm water.
- Risque de saut
- No
- Reproduction
- Mouthbrooder
- Many are mouthbrooders. Parents fiercely guard eggs and fry. Breeding pairs form naturally over time.
- Compatibilité et compagnons
- Aggressive
- It is generally peaceful. It fits well in community tanks. It becomes territorial during spawning.
- Niveau dans le bac
- Middle/Bottom
- It stays at the bottom. It continuously sifts the sand. A large footprint is required.
Modèles et paramètres scientifiques
FishBase
Fenêtre sur les données scientifiques officielles de l’espèce
FishBase v25.04Données synchronisées le : 15/06/2026
- Niveau trophique
- 2,6 ± 0,26 se
- Résilience
- Moyenne (1,4 - 4,4 ans)
- Singularité phylogénétique (PD50)
- 0.5
- Relation bayésienne longueur-poids
- a = 0.01905, b = 3.02
- VulnérabilitéVulnérabilité faible (18 / 100)
Galerie d'images
Images sous licence liées à l'espèce ou, lorsqu'elles sont indiquées, au taxon représentatif le plus proche.
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