Redhump Eartheater (Geophagus steindachneri)

Scientific Name(s): Geophagus steindachneri, Geophagus hondae, Geophagis hendai

 

Common Name(s): Redhump Eartheater, Redhump Geophagus

 

Family: Cichlidae

 

Species Type: South American Cichlids

 

Maximum Size: 6 inches

 

Life Span: 12 years

 

Natural Habitat: South American rivers

 

Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons

 

Tank Region: All over

 

Possible Tank Mates: Other mildy aggressive South or Central American cichlids.

 

Description: Geophagus steindachneri is a rarity— a mouthbrooding South American cichlid. Originally typed by Eigenmann and Hildebrand in 1910, it is native to the Rio Magdalena in Columbia and the Maracaibo basin in Venezuela. Geophagus steindachneri's common name, the Red Humped Eartheater, is an apt description. Males of breeding age exhibit a reddish-hued nuchal (head) hump. Both males and females sift through the substrate frequently for food. Males get up to about 6 inches and female are somewhat smaller, topping out at about 5 inches. Geophagus steindachneri exhibits fascinating behavior and is quite easy to breed. Geophagus steindachneri is not the most colorful fish, but it does have nice spangles of yellow and blue on the sides that are visible in the right light. I think it is an attractive fish and a offers a great "break" for the hobbyist who has bred a lot of African cichlids and is looking for something new.

 

Temperature Range 74°F - 82°F

60°F

65°F

70°F

75°F

80°F

85°F

90°F

 

pH Range 6.4 - 7

pH 5.0

pH 6.0

pH 7.0

pH 8.0

pH 9.0

 

Hardness 5° - 15°

0°

10°

20°

30°

40°

 

Breeding Information: Male intices the female by opening his mouth and shaking his jaw. Use higher temperatures of 80-82°C. Geophagis Hendai is a mouth brooder. After breeding, separate the male from the female. The eggs are laid on carefully cleaned rocks and immediately taken into the mouth of the female. After this, do not offer food to the female until after the fry become visible as the eggs may be accidentally swallowed. Mating rituals can take up to 6 hours.

 

Sexing Information: Males have an orange patch at the corners of its mouth. Males are larger, more colourful, with elongaded fins and a defined red bump on the top of his head.

 

Diet: Omnivorous - feed with flake or pellet foods.

 

Temperment: Generally peaceful for a cichlid, but males may become aggressive towards unreceptive females.

 

Common Diseases: This fish requires relatively pristine water quality to stay healthy

 

This profile has been viewed 337 times.

 

VIEW THIS FISH ON TANKPLANNER.COM

Redhump Eartheater (Geophagus steindachneri)