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Neambi eartheater

Geophagus neambi

Also known as Tocantins eartheater

FreshwaterFish

Neambi eartheater (Geophagus neambi)

Care at a glance

Temperature
77–84°F
25–29°C
pH
5.5–7.2
Adult size
9.4 in
24 cm
Minimum tank
172 gal
650 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Mouthbrooder · Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Cichlidae
Origin
Tocantins basin, Brazil

Overview

The Neambi eartheater is a medium-large, peaceful sand-sifter from Brazil, kept in a group in a very large tank. It is best with a little experience.

Did you know

The Neambi eartheater's name honors NEAMB, the environmental research group at the Federal University of Tocantins. That group surveyed the fish of the Tocantins river, and the lab's acronym became the fish's name.

Caring for the Neambi eartheater

Give a group of Neambi eartheaters at least 172 gal (650 L), so they have room to work the floor. A deep bed of soft, fine sand is essential, since they pick it up and pass it through their gills. Add open swimming space and some wood or smooth rock to break up the layout.

The water should be warm and soft to neutral, at 77 to 84°F (25 to 29°C) and a pH of 5.5 to 7.2. Feed fine sinking foods in several small servings, such as quality granules plus frozen bloodworm and brine shrimp.

Keep a group of five or more to spread out any squabbling. Neambi eartheaters are peaceful and spend the day on the bottom, taking mouthfuls of sand and sifting them for food. They will not harm anything they cannot swallow, so they make good companions for other calm fish.

The Neambi eartheater is a substrate-spawning, biparental mouthbrooder. The pair spawns on a cleaned surface, then takes the eggs into the mouth, and both parents share the brood. Breeding it is of moderate difficulty.

Good to know

The Neambi eartheater, Geophagus neambi, belongs to the cichlid family and has a long face suited to sifting sand. It was described in 2010.

In the wild

The Neambi eartheater comes from the Tocantins basin in Brazil. There it sifts sand in warm, fairly clear water.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The Neambi 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 Neambi eartheater need?

A Neambi eartheater needs at least 172 gal (650 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a Neambi eartheater need?

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

What does a Neambi eartheater eat?

A Neambi eartheater eats fine sinking foods, best offered in several small servings. Give it quality granules plus frozen bloodworm and brine shrimp.

How big does a Neambi eartheater get?

An adult Neambi eartheater reaches about 9.4 in (24 cm).

How does a Neambi eartheater breed?

A Neambi eartheater pair spawns on a cleaned surface and then takes the eggs into the mouth. Both parents share the brood, and breeding is of moderate difficulty.

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