|
Name: Geophagus surinamensis |
| Size |
Tank | pH | Temp |
|
Origin: Suriname, French Guiana |
|
30 cm |
200 L |
7.0 |
25°C |
Geophagus surinamensis, or the Red-Striped Eartheater, is a fairly peaceful fish from the Cichlidae family. They are extremely beautiful fish with almost iridescent shades of yellow, blue, red and sometimes green. They also have a dark spot near the center of their bodies. Eartheaters are bottom dwellers that are unique in that they move and sift through sand in search for food. Their bodies are specificly designed for this ability.
This is a slower growing Cichlid species and it may take many years for them to reach adult size. Juveniles are often more bland in color and don't show the iridescent colors that arrive more-so in maturity, though, once they mature, their colors are magnificent. Males can reach 30 cm in length while females often reach only about 24-28 cm.
The Red-Striped Eartheater is a very hardy species. They can tolerate a pretty wide range of pH. Although most South American fish prefer softer water, it is not a necessity. A neutral pH is just fine.
From the rivers in which this fish originates there are not too many plants. Due to their constant digging, don't be surprised to find your Amazon Sword plant floating at the surface. Make sure they have a fine sand substrate and a cave or two to hide in, as they can be fairly shy and become spooked easily.
Although I am personally yet to witness this extraordinary act, and unlike most South American cichlids, Geophagus surinamensis are partial mouthbrooders, meaning that until hatching, either one of the parents will take the fertilised eggs in their mouthes and carry them until hatching.
You can tell the difference between males and females by their length and the extensions on their fins. More often than not, males are longer and have long extensions on their fins. Females are slightly smaller and don't tend to have any extensions on their fins at all.
I have had a female Red-Striped Eartheater in a 200 liter community tank for close to a year now. When I first bought her she was pretty colorless, but over this year she has started to mature and shows very pretty shades of red, blue and yellow along her body. She often spends entire days moving handfuls of sand from one side of the tank to the other. It is one of the most spectacular acts I've seen in the world of fish keeping. For anyone wanting a single specimen as a centerpiece fish I would completely recommend Geophagus surinamensis. They are such a personable fish. Mine will come up to the front of the glass to greet me everyday. She is the center of attraction for everyone that happens to see my tank and they all have the same remarks: "Wow, that fish is COOL, what is it?"
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