Red hump eartheater
Geophagus steindachneri
Also known as Redhump eartheater, Colombian redhead eartheater, Geophagus hondae, Geophagus magdalenae, Red Hump Cichlid, Red hump geophagus
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 72–82°F
- 22–28°C
- pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Adult size
- 5.9 in
- 15 cm
- Minimum tank
- 53 gal
- 200 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Breeding
- Easy
- Rarity
- Very common
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- Magdalena, Cauca, and Sinu river systems of Colombia and the Maracaibo basin of Venezuela, in sandy forest streams and slow backwaters.
Overview
Keep a group in a tank of at least 200 liters at 22 to 28 C and pH 6.0 to 7.5, with one male to several females to spread out his attention. Give them a deep sand bed and open swimming space with some rocks and wood. They eat sinking pellets, frozen foods, and anything they sift from the sand. They are mostly peaceful, but males chase rivals, so avoid keeping two males in a small tank.
In the wild
The red hump eartheater lives in the Magdalena, Cauca, and Sinu river systems of Colombia and the Maracaibo basin of Venezuela. It prefers sandy stretches of forest streams and slow backwaters. These fish spend the day taking mouthfuls of sand and sifting out food. A soft sand bottom is important so they can feed naturally.
Good to know
Geophagus steindachneri belongs to the steindachneri species-group rather than the true Geophagus. Mature males develop a bright red or orange nuchal hump, which gives the fish its common name. It is an immediate mouthbrooder, with the female holding eggs in her mouth for around two weeks.
Did you know
It is one of the easiest eartheaters to breed and will spawn readily, though it hybridizes just as easily with related species.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
Red hump 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.
Bleher's rainbowfish
Chilatherina bleheri
Freshwater4.7 in (12 cm) · 53 gal (200 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Celebes halfbeak
Nomorhamphus liemi
Freshwater3.5 in (9 cm) · 40 gal (150 L)68–77°F (20–25°C)
Zamora catfish
Auchenipterichthys thoracatus
Freshwater5.5 in (14 cm) · 53 gal (200 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Checkered rainbowfish
Melanotaenia splendida inornata
Freshwater4.7 in (12 cm) · 53 gal (200 L)72–86°F (22–30°C)
Forest halfbeak
Hemirhamphodon pogonognathus
Freshwater3.5 in (9 cm) · 34 gal (130 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Green turushuki catfish
Hemidoras morrisi
Freshwater6.3 in (16 cm) · 53 gal (200 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a Red hump eartheater need?
A Red hump eartheater needs at least 53 gal (200 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a Red hump eartheater need?
A Red hump eartheater is comfortable at 72–82°F (22–28°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.
How big does a Red hump eartheater get?
An adult Red hump eartheater reaches about 5.9 in (15 cm).
Related species
6.3 in (16 cm)79 gal (300 L)79–86°F (26–30°C)Red head Tapajos
Geophagus pyrocephalus
6.3 in (16 cm) · 79 gal (300 L)
6.7 in (17 cm)106 gal (400 L)77–84°F (25–29°C)Brachybranchus eartheater
Geophagus brachybranchus
6.7 in (17 cm) · 106 gal (400 L)
6.7 in (17 cm)106 gal (400 L)77–84°F (25–29°C)Cheekband eartheater
Geophagus taeniopareius
6.7 in (17 cm) · 106 gal (400 L)
7.1 in (18 cm)106 gal (400 L)77–84°F (25–29°C)Yellowhump eartheater
Geophagus pellegrini
7.1 in (18 cm) · 106 gal (400 L)
7.9 in (20 cm)106 gal (400 L)77–84°F (25–29°C)Mirabilis eartheater
Geophagus mirabilis
7.9 in (20 cm) · 106 gal (400 L)
7.9 in (20 cm)119 gal (450 L)77–84°F (25–29°C)Sveni eartheater
Geophagus sveni
7.9 in (20 cm) · 119 gal (450 L)