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Proximus eartheater

Geophagus proximus

Also known as Cichla-band eartheater

FreshwaterFish

Proximus eartheater (Geophagus proximus)

Care at a glance

Temperature
77–84°F
25–29°C
pH
5.5–7.2
Adult size
11.8 in
30 cm
Minimum tank
159 gal
600 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Mouthbrooder · Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Cichlidae
Origin
Upper Amazon basin

Overview

The Proximus eartheater is a large, peaceful sand-sifting cichlid from the upper Amazon. Keeping it well takes some experience.

Did you know

The Proximus eartheater's name records a case of mistaken twins. Proximus is Latin for nearest or next, and for years the fish stood right beside the very similar Geophagus surinamensis in identification keys. The two were easily confused.

Caring for the Proximus eartheater

A group of Proximus eartheaters needs at least 159 gal (600 L), with plenty of open floor and some driftwood. Use a deep bed of fine, soft sand rather than gravel, which can harm a sifting fish. Run strong filtration to handle the constant sifting.

Keep the water at 77 to 84°F (25 to 29°C), soft to neutral, with a pH of 5.5 to 7.2. Change water regularly to keep nitrate low. It takes mouthfuls of sand and sifts them through its gills for food. Offer sinking pellets and granules along with frozen foods, and make sure a fair share settles to the sand.

Keep one male with several females, which keeps its social life balanced and its color at its best. It is calm with other easygoing tank mates, but it grows big and needs floor space.

The Proximus eartheater is a mouthbrooder, and breeding it takes moderate effort. After spawning, it takes the eggs and young into its mouth for protection.

Good to know

Geophagus proximus is a cichlid of the family Cichlidae and one of the larger true eartheaters. It is marked with a dark bar on the flank and a red-striped tail. It also goes by the name Cichla-band eartheater.

In the wild

The Proximus eartheater sifts sandbars and channel margins in the upper Amazon basin. It ranges over open sand with scattered wood.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The Proximus 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 Proximus eartheater need?

A Proximus eartheater needs at least 159 gal (600 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a Proximus eartheater need?

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

What does a Proximus eartheater eat?

A Proximus eartheater eats sinking pellets and granules along with frozen foods. Make sure a fair share settles to the sand, where it sifts mouthfuls through its gills.

How big does a Proximus eartheater get?

An adult Proximus eartheater reaches about 11.8 in (30 cm).

How does a Proximus eartheater breed?

The Proximus eartheater is a mouthbrooder, and breeding it takes moderate effort. After spawning, it takes the eggs and young into its mouth for protection.

Related species