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Mirabilis eartheater

Geophagus mirabilis

Also known as Aripuana eartheater, Spotted-face eartheater

FreshwaterFish

Mirabilis eartheater (Geophagus mirabilis)

Care at a glance

Temperature
77–84°F
25–29°C
pH
5.5–7.2
Adult size
7.9 in
20 cm
Minimum tank
106 gal
400 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Mouthbrooder · Medium
Rarity
Common
Family
Cichlidae
Origin
Rio Aripuanã, Brazil

Overview

The Mirabilis eartheater is one of the most striking eartheaters, a sand-sifting cichlid for a long tank. It is best with a little experience.

Did you know

Mirabilis means wondrous, and the describers meant the star-map on the fish's cheeks.

Caring for the Mirabilis eartheater

Keep Mirabilis eartheaters in a group of five or six, in a tank of at least 106 gal (400 L). Give them a long, open floor of deep, fine sand.

Keep the water soft, warm and gently acidic, at 77 to 84°F (25 to 29°C) and a pH of 5.5 to 7.2. Soft, warm water and a dark substrate bring out the freckled pattern far better than bright sand and neutral water.

Mirabilis eartheaters eat by sorting sand more or less continuously through the day. Feed small sinking foods frequently, rather than in large amounts.

Give them calm, mid-sized company. They are delayed mouthbrooders, like the rest of the surinamensis group, and breeding them is of medium difficulty.

Good to know

Geophagus mirabilis belongs to the family Cichlidae and was described in 2014. The scattered iridescent freckling over its head and flanks is unique in the genus.

In the wild

Geophagus mirabilis sifts dark sand in the Rio Aripuanã, a clearwater tributary in the southern Amazon.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The Mirabilis 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 Mirabilis eartheater need?

A Mirabilis eartheater needs at least 106 gal (400 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a Mirabilis eartheater need?

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

What does a Mirabilis eartheater eat?

A Mirabilis eartheater eats by sorting sand almost all day. Feed it small sinking foods often, rather than in large amounts.

How big does a Mirabilis eartheater get?

An adult Mirabilis eartheater reaches about 7.9 in (20 cm).

How does a Mirabilis eartheater breed?

Mirabilis eartheaters are delayed mouthbrooders, like the rest of the surinamensis group. Breeding them is of medium difficulty.

Related species