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Smoothcheek eartheater

Gymnogeophagus gymnogenys

Also known as Gymnogenys eartheater

FreshwaterFish

Smoothcheek eartheater (Gymnogeophagus gymnogenys)

Care at a glance

Temperature
61–79°F
16–26°C
pH
6.5–7.8
Adult size
7.1 in
18 cm
Minimum tank
79 gal
300 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Mouthbrooder · Medium
Rarity
Common
Family
Cichlidae
Origin
Uruguay and southern Brazil

Overview

The smoothcheek eartheater is a peaceful subtropical cichlid that needs a large, unheated tank with a sandy floor. It is best kept with a little experience behind you.

Did you know

Collectors track the smoothcheek eartheater by the stream it came from. They trade its localities like vintages, and each Uruguayan stream has its own hump-headed form.

Caring for the smoothcheek eartheater

Keep a group of smoothcheek eartheaters over sand in a tank of at least 79 gal (300 L). They are peaceful for their size and safe with community fish.

The smoothcheek eartheater needs a genuine winter to do well. Keep the water within 61 to 79°F (16 to 26°C) across the year, at a pH of 6.5 to 7.8. Let the temperature fall through the cool months, since the seasonal swing is a care requirement, not a tolerance. Feed sinking foods and frozen fare, easing off as the water cools.

Males develop a pronounced nuchal hump with age. After a proper winter rest they color up hard in spring, and without one they stay dull. It is a mouthbrooder, and the cool rest period is what triggers proper spawning condition. Breeding it is moderately difficult.

Good to know

The smoothcheek eartheater is a member of the family Cichlidae. Many of its local populations differ noticeably in color.

In the wild

The smoothcheek eartheater lives in sandy streams across Uruguay and southern Brazil. Winters there are cold and summers warm.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The smoothcheek 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 smoothcheek eartheater need?

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

What temperature and pH does a smoothcheek eartheater need?

A smoothcheek eartheater is comfortable at 61–79°F (16–26°C) with a pH of 6.5–7.8.

What does a smoothcheek eartheater eat?

A smoothcheek eartheater eats sinking foods and frozen fare. Feed it less as the water cools in winter.

How big does a smoothcheek eartheater get?

An adult smoothcheek eartheater reaches about 7.1 in (18 cm).

How can you tell a male smoothcheek eartheater from a female?

Males develop a pronounced nuchal hump with age. They also color up hard in spring after a proper winter rest, and stay dull without one.

How does a smoothcheek eartheater breed?

A smoothcheek eartheater is a mouthbrooder. A cool winter rest is what triggers proper spawning condition, and breeding it is moderately difficult.

Related species