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Tiraparae eartheater

Gymnogeophagus tiraparae

Also known as Tirapara gymnogeophagus

FreshwaterFish

Tiraparae eartheater (Gymnogeophagus tiraparae)

Care at a glance

Temperature
61–79°F
16–26°C
pH
6.5–7.8
Adult size
4.7 in
12 cm
Minimum tank
66 gal
250 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Mouthbrooder · Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Cichlidae
Origin
Rio Negro drainage, Uruguay

Overview

The Tiraparae eartheater is a peaceful subtropical cichlid from South America that lives over a sandy bottom. It suits an intermediate keeper.

Did you know

The Tiraparae eartheater is named after Maria Luisa Tiraparae, a Guarani woman linked to San Borja del Yi, a vanished settlement in Uruguay. A person and a lost town both live on in its scientific name.

Caring for the Tiraparae eartheater

A tank of at least 66 gal (250 L) suits a small group of Tiraparae eartheaters. It takes mouthfuls of sand and sifts them for food, so a soft, fine sand floor is essential for feeding and healthy gills. Add some wood and rounded rock, and leave open swimming space.

It comes from a cooler climate than most tropical fish, so give it a seasonal drop in temperature over winter. Across the year, a wide range of 61 to 79°F (16 to 26°C) and a pH of 6.5 to 7.8 suit it. Feed sinking foods along with frozen items such as bloodworm.

The Tiraparae eartheater is peaceful and does well in a group, so keep several together. Choose calm, similarly sized tank mates.

Males show colorful markings along the dorsal fin. It is a larvophilic mouthbrooder. The pair first spawns on the substrate, then the female takes the young into her mouth to brood them. Breeding is of moderate difficulty.

Good to know

The Tiraparae eartheater, Gymnogeophagus tiraparae, was described in 2011, making it one of the most recently named members of its genus. It is also known as the Tirapara gymnogeophagus.

In the wild

The Tiraparae eartheater lives in the Rio Negro drainage of Uruguay, well to the south of the tropics. It is found in clear, flowing rivers over sand.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The Tiraparae 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 Tiraparae eartheater need?

A Tiraparae eartheater needs at least 66 gal (250 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a Tiraparae eartheater need?

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

What does a Tiraparae eartheater eat?

A Tiraparae eartheater eats sinking foods along with frozen items such as bloodworm. It also sifts mouthfuls of sand for food.

How big does a Tiraparae eartheater get?

An adult Tiraparae eartheater reaches about 4.7 in (12 cm).

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

Males show colorful markings along the dorsal fin.

How does a Tiraparae eartheater breed?

The Tiraparae eartheater is a larvophilic mouthbrooder. The pair spawns on the substrate, then the female takes the young into her mouth to brood them.

Related species