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Thicklip gymnogeophagus

Gymnogeophagus labiatus

Also known as Labiatus eartheater

FreshwaterFish

Thicklip gymnogeophagus (Gymnogeophagus labiatus)

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
Rio Grande do Sul and Uruguay drainages

Overview

The thicklip gymnogeophagus is a subtropical eartheater for the coldwater cichlid niche. It is moderately demanding to keep.

Did you know

Male thicklip gymnogeophagus reach their peak red and blue only after a proper cold season. Without one, they stay dull, and their colors never quite pay out in full.

Caring for the thicklip gymnogeophagus

Keep a group of thicklip gymnogeophagus in a tank of at least 79 gal (300 L). Give them a sandy floor and stones to probe.

They need a genuine winter, so let the temperature fall through the cool months. Over the year, let the water range across 61 to 79°F (16 to 26°C), at a pH of 6.5 to 7.8. Holding them at a tropical temperature year round shortens their life.

Feed sinking foods and frozen fare, and taper off as the water cools. The thicklip gymnogeophagus is peaceful for a cichlid of its size, so calm community tank mates suit it.

Males develop a nuchal hump with age. It is a mouthbrooder, and breeding it is of moderate difficulty.

Good to know

The thicklip gymnogeophagus, Gymnogeophagus labiatus, has thickened, fleshy lips that it uses to probe crevices in stone for invertebrates. Unrelated cichlids in Africa and Central America share the same adaptation. It is also known as the Labiatus eartheater.

In the wild

The thicklip gymnogeophagus lives in rocky, sandy streams in Rio Grande do Sul and Uruguay, where the seasons swing hard.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The thicklip gymnogeophagus 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 thicklip gymnogeophagus need?

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

What temperature and pH does a thicklip gymnogeophagus need?

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

What does a thicklip gymnogeophagus eat?

A thicklip gymnogeophagus eats sinking foods and frozen fare. Feed it less as the water cools.

How big does a thicklip gymnogeophagus get?

An adult thicklip gymnogeophagus reaches about 7.1 in (18 cm).

How can you tell a male thicklip gymnogeophagus from a female?

Males develop a nuchal hump as they age.

How does a thicklip gymnogeophagus breed?

The thicklip gymnogeophagus is a mouthbrooder. Breeding it is of moderate difficulty.

Related species