TankBud

Yellowhump eartheater

Geophagus pellegrini

Also known as Pellegrin's eartheater, Yellow hump geophagus

FreshwaterFish

Yellowhump eartheater (Geophagus pellegrini)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
77–84°F
25–29°C
pH
5.5–7.0
Adult size
7.1 in
18 cm
Minimum tank
106 gal
400 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Mouthbrooder · Medium
Rarity
Common
Family
Cichlidae
Origin
Pacific-slope rivers of Colombia

Overview

The yellowhump eartheater is a sand-sifting cichlid for the bottom of the tank. The hump on mature males is the reason most keepers seek it out. It is best with a little experience.

Did you know

Male yellowhump eartheaters inflate their hump seasonally. The hump holds fat and works as a signal at the same time.

Caring for the yellowhump eartheater

Keep a group of five or six yellowhump eartheaters in at least 106 gal (400 L), with a long open floor. Lay several centimeters of deep, fine sand, soft enough for the fish to sift without damaging its mouth.

Keep the water warm, at 77 to 84°F (25 to 29°C) and a pH of 5.5 to 7.0. Feed sinking granules and frozen foods in small, frequent amounts. It is mostly peaceful and steady, so give it calm, mid-sized company.

Mature males raise a yellow-orange nuchal hump over barred flanks, and the hump develops with age rather than only in breeding condition. It is a delayed mouthbrooder, and breeding it is of moderate difficulty.

Good to know

Geophagus pellegrini is an eartheater in the family Cichlidae. A hump like the one its males grow is unusual in the genus.

In the wild

Geophagus pellegrini sifts sand in the Chocó rivers of Colombia's Pacific slope, in warm rainforest water that runs soft. That puts it on the Pacific side of the Andes, away from most of its relatives.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The yellowhump 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 yellowhump eartheater need?

A yellowhump eartheater needs at least 106 gal (400 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a yellowhump eartheater need?

A yellowhump eartheater is comfortable at 77–84°F (25–29°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.0.

What does a yellowhump eartheater eat?

A yellowhump eartheater eats sinking granules and frozen foods, offered in small, frequent amounts.

How big does a yellowhump eartheater get?

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

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

Mature males raise a yellow-orange nuchal hump over barred flanks. The hump develops with age, not only in breeding condition.

How does a yellowhump eartheater breed?

A yellowhump eartheater is a delayed mouthbrooder, and breeding it is of moderate difficulty.

Related species