TankBud

Eartheater cichlid

Geophagus altifrons

FreshwaterFish

Eartheater cichlid (Geophagus altifrons)
Hectonichus · CC BY-SA 3.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
79–90°F
26–32°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
9.8 in
25 cm
Minimum tank
115 gal
435 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Shoaling
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Hard
Rarity
Common
Family
Cichlidae
Origin
Brazil

Overview

Despite its size this is a peaceful, generally gentle cichlid that does best in a group of five or more, which spreads out any squabbling. It works the lower and middle water, spending much of its day sifting sand for food. It needs a big tank, around 435 liters or more, and a varied diet of sinking pellets, frozen foods, and small live foods. It mixes well with other calm, larger fish that can take the same warm, soft water.

In the wild

This eartheater comes from warm, clear rivers in Brazil, often over sandy bottoms in slow to moderate flow. Sand is essential, since the fish constantly takes in mouthfuls and sifts them for food, and sharp substrate damages its gills and mouth. Use a large tank with a soft sand bed, some driftwood and smooth rocks, and warm water in the high 20s to low 30s C with a pH on the soft, neutral side.

Good to know

This is a large cichlid in the family Cichlidae, growing to around 25 cm. The name eartheater comes from its sand-sifting feeding style. It is a mouthbrooder, with the parents holding eggs and fry in the mouth for protection. It prefers warm water, well up into the high 20s C and above.

Did you know

It feeds by scooping up a mouthful of sand, sorting out the edible bits inside, and spitting the clean grains back out through its gills and mouth. A group working a sandy bottom keeps it churned and clean.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

Eartheater cichlid is a peaceful, shoaling species that keeps to the middle. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does an Eartheater cichlid need?

An Eartheater cichlid needs at least 115 gal (435 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does an Eartheater cichlid need?

An Eartheater cichlid is comfortable at 79–90°F (26–32°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

How big does an Eartheater cichlid get?

An adult Eartheater cichlid reaches about 9.8 in (25 cm).

Does an Eartheater cichlid need a group?

Yes. An Eartheater cichlid is a shoaling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.

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