Pearl cichlid - Geophagus brasiliensis
- Food and feeding. Use a quality flake or cichlid pellets for the staple diet. ...
- Origin. South America; Pearl cichlids are to be found in the waterways of Brazil and Uruguay.
- Sexing. There are no visible differences between the sexes. ...
- Breeding. ...
- Lifespan. ...
- Short description. ...
- Picture. ...
Full Answer
What is a Geophagus?
Geophagus is a genus of cichlids that takes its name from the ancient Greek word for eartheater. These fishes are named so because of their unique feeding behavior, which involves sifting through the substrate in search of food. Geophagus includes over 30 described species, which vary widely in size and appearance.
What kind of water does a Geophagus Tapajos like?
The Geophagus Tapajos enjoys their tank water to have a pH that falls between 5.5 and 6.5, with a slightness in acidity. This species also relies on soft water to support their natural habitat. The Geophagus Tapajos will reach a maximum size of 6 inches, with some members of the species rarely growing up to 8 inches.
What do altifrons eat in aquarium?
Geophagus Altifrons are omnivorous and benthophagous by nature. They will accept most aquarium foods. In the wild, they feed on small insects, insect larvae, crustaceans, worms, mollusks, snails, and other vegetable matter that they dig up from the substrate.
How do you set up a Geophagus Tapajos tank?
The Geophagus Tapajos tank should be set up to closely match its natural habitat, including fine, sand substrate and multiple places to hide for shelter. Shelter in the tank can include driftwood, rock structures, and dense vegetation.
What does geophagus fish eat?
Diet. Geophagus Surinamensis is easy to feed and appreciates some variety in their diet. Since they are bottom sifters, sinking pelletized omnivore food is a good all-around choice. Mixing in protein foods such as bloodworms, brine shrimp, chopped shrimp, or daphnia is a good idea.
What do you feed geophagus Tapajos?
Food & Diet The Geophagus Tapajos mainly feeds from the bottom of the aquarium as an omnivore but will surface aquarium tanks for frozen bloodworms. The Tapajos species should be fed with variety in mind and most enjoy brine shrimp, blackworms, krill, flake food, and soft Cichlid pellets.
Is geophagus fish Hardy?
While they are hardy fish, they may be susceptible to certain bacterial and viral infections. The Red-striped Eartheater (Geophagus Surinamensis), is one of the most peaceful species of cichlid one can keep.
How big do geophagus get?
6 - 8 inchesAverage adult size: 6 - 8 inches (15 - 20 cm), though 6 inches is most common. Average purchase size: 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) for Juveniles, 2 - 3 inches (5 - 7.6 cm) for Subadults.
What do you feed geophagus fry?
4:269:13Geophagus tapajos Breeding and Care - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFood frozen bloodworms frozen brine shrimp they seem to eat just about anything we put in the tankMoreFood frozen bloodworms frozen brine shrimp they seem to eat just about anything we put in the tank which is makes it easier tank.
Should geophagus be kept in groups?
2:298:28Geophagus Tapajos | Care Guide & Species Profile - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipHowever i would recommend keeping them in a group of five to eight so they can develop a hierarchyMoreHowever i would recommend keeping them in a group of five to eight so they can develop a hierarchy with one another.
Are geophagus bottom feeders?
Geophagus. Our number 5 top pick is the Geophagus. Geophagus translates to sand-sifter or eartheater. These fish will go to the bottom of your tank, grab mouthfuls of sand, sift through it, and then spit it out.
Do geophagus eat snails?
Slow Swimmers & Eaters (): Safe. Shrimps, Crabs, Snails: May be aggressive - Will feed on small invertebrates that are in the substrate.
What is the biggest geophagus?
Geophagus altifrons is a fairly peaceful species, commonly sought out for their intense coloration as well as their larger size (they are one of the largest geophagus species). They are native to various rivers and streams within the Amazon River basin of South America.
How many different types of geophagus are there?
Geophagus altifronsPearl cichlidRedstriped eartheaterStripetailRedhump eartheaterYellowhump eartheaterGeophagus/Lower classifications
What is the smallest geophagus?
Geophagus parnaibae is one of the smallest in the genus with the largest type specimen measuring just 7.5cm/3" and the maximum size from aquarium specimens believed to be around 16cm/6".
How many geophagus species are there?
20As of today, there are more than 20 scientifically described species in the genus Geophagus,and every year exporters offer new color varieties and undescribed species.
How big do geophagus Winemilleri get?
6 - 8 inchesAverage adult size: 6 - 8 inches (15 - 20 cm) Average purchase size: 1.5 inches (3.8 cm)
Is geophagus territorial?
Males are territorial particularly during reproduction.
How big do Firemouth cichlids get?
around 6 inchesThe average firemouth cichlid size is around 6 inches for makes and 5 inches for females. These fish have a rather fast growth rate, so it won't take long for them to reach their max size.
Are geophagus Mouthbrooders?
The South American maternal mouthbrooders are all members of the subfamily Geophaginae (commonly known as "eartheaters" on account of their substrate-sifting feeding mode) such as Gymnogeophagus balzanii and Geophagus steindachneri. Biparental mouthbrooding occurs where both parents take some of the eggs.
Geophagus Surinamensis Facts
There are countless facts about the Red-striped Eartheater that makes it so interesting:
Geophagus Surinamensis Temperature
The temperature of the Geophagus Surinamensis is mostly between 76.0 to 84.0 degrees Fahrenheit, which is about 24 to 29 degrees Celsius. Since they have been found in waters that are about 76°F to 88°F (24 – 27°C), it is also advisable to house them in those familiar conditions.
Geophagus Surinamensis Size
As pointed out at the onset of this article, it may take about 2 to 3 years for a Red-striped Eartheater to achieve its full size. However, on average, red-striped eartheaters can grow as long as 10 – 12 inches (about 25 – 30 cm). Due to its size, a large aquarium is a requisite for the healthy keeping of these species of cichlids.
Geophagus Surinamensis Water pH
With Red-striped Eartheaters, the pH of the aquarium water should range between 6.0 to 8.0 at best. The Geophagus Surinamensis as well prefers a water dGh ranging from 5 to 19.
Geophagus Surinamensis Tank Size
Red-striped Eartheaters are quite easy to care for, but their potential to attain up to 12 inches in size makes a large aquarium tank a requirement to appropriately set up and house these species of cichlids.
Geophagus Surinamensis Food and Diet
The Geophagus Surinamensis are not difficult to feed. As an omnivorous species, the Geophagus surinamensis requires a variety of high-quality dry, frozen, and live meaty foods.
Geophagus Surinamensis Lifespan
The lifespan of the Geophagus Surinamensis is mostly known to be about 5 – 6 years on average. But when given extensive care, the Red-striped Eartheater can live up to 7 years, and on rare occasions up to 10 years.
Species Summary
Appearance
Geophagus Altifrons Size
Lifespan
Care and Tank Setup
Food & Diet
- Geophagus Altifronsare omnivorous and benthophagous by nature. They will accept most aquarium foods. In the wild, they feed on small insects, insect larvae, crustaceans, worms, mollusks, snails, and other vegetable matter that they dig up from the substrate. The foundation of their diet can be high-quality sinking fish flakes or pellets. To help gr...
Geophagus Altifrons Tank Mates
Final Thoughts