Maroni eartheater

Geophagus harreri

Also known as Harrer's eartheater

FreshwaterFish

Care at a glance

Temperature: 77–84°F (25–29°C)
pH: 5.5–7.2
Adult size: 8.7 in (22 cm)
Minimum tank: 119 gal (450 L)
Temperament: Mostly peaceful
Social behavior: Social
Swim level: Bottom
Difficulty: Medium
Breeding: Medium
Rarity: Rare
Origin: Maroni basin, Suriname and French Guiana
Family: Cichlidae

Overview

A heavy-bodied sand-sifting eartheater that is rarely imported. It is social and does best in a group of its own kind rather than singly, so keep several and let them work out a hierarchy across a large floor. It spends its time over the bottom, taking in sand and filtering out food, and while it is broadly peaceful it runs a bit pushier than most eartheaters, so give it space and similarly sized, calm tankmates. Feed sinking foods and frozen invertebrates. A group of these large fish wants about 450 liters or more with deep open sand.

In the wild

Geophagus harreri is found only in the Maroni river basin on the border of Suriname and French Guiana, often below rapids in bright, shallow channels with a decent current. Give it a deep bed of soft sand it can sift freely, some smooth rock and wood, and clean, moving water. Keep it warm at 25 to 29 C in soft to neutral water at a pH of 5.5 to 7.2, and stay on top of maintenance, since a big sifter produces a big waste load.

Good to know

This species belongs to the Cichlidae and reaches about 22 centimeters, brassy-flanked with red-striped fins. It is restricted to a single river system, which makes it a true endemic. It is a mouthbrooder that breeds at medium difficulty, picking up its eggs to protect them. Its heavy build and comparatively bold temperament set it apart from the milder eartheaters more often seen in the hobby.

Did you know

This eartheater lives in just one river. The Maroni forms the border between Suriname and French Guiana, and it is the whole of the fish's natural range, so the river is at once its habitat and, in effect, its entire address.

Tank mates

Maroni eartheater is a mostly peaceful, social species that keeps to the bottom. These picks match on water type, temperature, pH, size and temperament.