Silverspot eartheater

Geophagus argyrostictus

Also known as Argyrostictus eartheater, Blue lip geophagus

FreshwaterFish

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: 119 gal (450 L)
Temperament: Mostly peaceful
Social behavior: Social
Swim level: Bottom
Difficulty: Medium
Breeding: Medium
Rarity: Common
Origin: Rio Xingu, Brazil
Family: Cichlidae

Overview

An eartheater that wants current as well as sand, which sets it apart from most of the genus. Build a river tank: a deep sand bed for sifting, smooth stone, and pumps that keep real flow across the floor. Keep a group of five or six with calm mid-sized company. Feed sinking granules and frozen foods little and often. Given flow and clean water it settles far faster than it does in a still tank.

In the wild

Geophagus argyrostictus works sand pockets between the rapids of the Rio Xingu, in warm, clear, soft water moving quickly over rock. Keep it at 25 to 29 degrees Celsius and pH 5.5 to 7.2, with fine sand, smooth stone and strong circulation.

Good to know

Geophagus argyrostictus reaches about 24 centimeters and is named for the rows of silver spangles along its flanks. It is a delayed mouthbrooder. Its preference for flowing, rocky stretches rather than quiet lagoons is unusual in the genus and is worth building the tank around.

Did you know

It sifts sand in a river famous for rapids, panning for food where the current does half the digging.

Tank mates

Silverspot eartheater is a mostly peaceful, social species that keeps to the bottom. These picks match on water type, temperature, pH, size and temperament.