Geophagus steindachneri

Geophagus steindachneri

Geophagus steindachneri can reach a length of about 14 centimeters, females 11 centimeters. The base color is cream with a black horizontal stripe. Furthermore, they have mostly metallic green spots over their bodies. The females are less colored. The males develop a bump, they are also called “Redhump Eartheater”.

It is a fairly peaceful fish towards its fellow inhabitants, but they can be territorial towards members of the same species (especially during the breeding period), so it is better to keep 1 male with several females.

Synonyms: Geophagus hondae, Geophagus magdalena.

Origin

Colombia, Venezuela.

The Aquarium

These fish require an aquarium of at least 1.50 meters. Furnish the aquarium with hard plants, driftwood and stones to create sufficient hiding places. The plants are best anchored in a flower pot in the substrate, because this species likes to root around in the ground. The bottom may consist of sand or fine round gravel, no sharp gravel, otherwise they can injure themselves. It is advisable to use a powerful filter and to change the water regularly.

Water parameters

Temperature: 25 degrees Celsius
PH: 6-7,5
GH: 8-12

Diet

Both live food and frozen food can be given as food, such as pieces of beef heart, shrimp, mosquito larvae and insects (make sure if you feed insects that they do not come from contaminated water). Dry food is also accepted.

Character

It is a fairly peaceful fish towards its fellow inhabitants, but they can be territorial towards members of the same species (especially during the breeding period), so it is better to keep 1 male with several females.

Breeding Geophagus steindachneri

Geophagus steindachneri is a mouthbrooding cichlid, the female chooses a place, this can be a stone or a hole or on the substrate, where she lays the eggs which are then fertilized by the male. The female then takes the eggs into her mouth and the young are released after about 15 to 20 days. The fry can be raised on small pieces of shrimp or crushed dry food.

Video

Author

Coby

Copyright images

Hélène Lagueux

Ben Lee – Amiidae.com