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Maroni eartheater

Geophagus harreri

Also known as Harrer's eartheater

FreshwaterFish

Maroni eartheater (Geophagus harreri)

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
Mouthbrooder · Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Cichlidae
Origin
Maroni basin, Suriname and French Guiana

Overview

The Maroni eartheater is a large, sand-sifting cichlid that is rarely imported. It suits a big tank with deep, open sand and a keeper with a little experience.

Did you know

The Maroni eartheater lives in just one river, the Maroni, which forms the border between Suriname and French Guiana. That river is its entire natural range, so it is a true endemic.

Caring for the Maroni eartheater

Maroni eartheaters are social and do best in a group of their own kind rather than singly, so keep several. A group of these large fish needs 119 gal (450 L) or more. Give them a wide floor of deep, soft, open sand they can sift freely, with some smooth rock and wood.

Keep the water clean, moving and soft to neutral, at 77 to 84°F (25 to 29°C) and a pH of 5.5 to 7.2. Stay on top of maintenance, since a big sifter produces a big waste load.

They spend their time over the bottom, taking in sand and filtering out food. Feed sinking foods and frozen invertebrates.

Maroni eartheaters are broadly peaceful, but they run a bit pushier than most eartheaters. Give them space, let the group work out a hierarchy, and choose calm tank mates of a similar size. They are mouthbrooders that pick up their eggs to protect them, and breeding them is of medium difficulty.

Good to know

The Maroni eartheater belongs to the family Cichlidae and has brassy flanks with red-striped fins. Its heavy build sets it apart from the eartheaters more often seen in the hobby.

In the wild

Geophagus harreri lives in the Maroni river basin, often below rapids in bright, shallow channels with a decent current.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The Maroni eartheater is a mostly peaceful, social species that keeps to the bottom. 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 a Maroni eartheater need?

A Maroni eartheater needs at least 119 gal (450 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a Maroni eartheater need?

A Maroni eartheater is comfortable at 77–84°F (25–29°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.2.

What does a Maroni eartheater eat?

A Maroni eartheater takes in sand over the bottom and filters out its food. Feed it sinking foods and frozen invertebrates.

How big does a Maroni eartheater get?

An adult Maroni eartheater reaches about 8.7 in (22 cm).

How does a Maroni eartheater breed?

Maroni eartheaters are mouthbrooders, and a parent picks up the eggs to protect them. Breeding them is of medium difficulty.

Related species