TankBud

Red head Tapajos

Geophagus pyrocephalus

Also known as Tapajos red head, Redhead Tapajos, Geophagus sp. Tapajos

FreshwaterFish

Red head Tapajos (Geophagus pyrocephalus)
Imperial Tropicals · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
79–86°F
26–30°C
pH
5.5–7.0
Adult size
6.3 in
16 cm
Minimum tank
79 gal
300 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Easy
Breeding
Mouthbrooder · Medium
Rarity
Common
Family
Cichlidae
Origin
Rio Tapajos basin of Para and Mato Grosso, Brazil, in warm, soft clearwater rivers over sand.

Overview

The red head Tapajos is a sand-sifting eartheater from Brazil that does best in a group. It is a straightforward fish to keep.

Did you know

The red head Tapajos was formally described as Geophagus pyrocephalus only in 2022. It had spent roughly three decades in the hobby as an undescribed species.

Caring for the red head Tapajos

Keep a group of red head Tapajos in at least 79 gal (300 L), over a deep, soft sand bed. Provide wood and rounded stones, with plenty of open floor and swimming space.

Keep the water warm and soft, at 79 to 86°F (26 to 30°C) and a pH of 5.5 to 7.0. Feed sinking pellets and frozen foods, and they will also eat whatever they sift from the sand.

It is mostly peaceful, and pairs form on their own within a group. The red head Tapajos is a biparental mouthbrooder. The parents lay their eggs on the substrate, then carry the developing young in their mouths. Breeding it takes moderate effort.

Good to know

The red head Tapajos is a true Geophagus in the family Cichlidae. Its bright red head develops as the fish grows past about 8 to 10 cm. It is not Geophagus sveni, which is a separate species from the Tocantins.

In the wild

The red head Tapajos comes from the Rio Tapajos basin in Para and Mato Grosso, Brazil. It lives in warm, soft clearwater rivers over sand.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The red head Tapajos 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 red head Tapajos need?

A red head Tapajos needs at least 79 gal (300 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a red head Tapajos need?

A red head Tapajos is comfortable at 79–86°F (26–30°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.0.

What does a red head Tapajos eat?

A red head Tapajos eats sinking pellets and frozen foods, plus whatever it sifts from the sand.

How big does a red head Tapajos get?

An adult red head Tapajos reaches about 6.3 in (16 cm).

How does a red head Tapajos breed?

The red head Tapajos is a biparental mouthbrooder. The parents lay their eggs on the substrate, then carry the developing young in their mouths, and breeding takes moderate effort.

Related species