Geophagus brasiliensis Breeding Guide

How to breed Geophagus brasiliensis, the pearl eartheater; a hardy open substrate spawner that lays on a cleaned rock and guards eggs and fry as a pair.

Overview

Geophagus brasiliensis, the pearl eartheater, is a large, hardy cichlid of coastal drainages of eastern and southern Brazil and Uruguay, including the Patos Lagoon and Rio Uruguay systems. FishBase records a maximum length of about 28 cm and notes it tolerates a very wide temperature range. Unlike the mouthbrooding Amazonian eartheaters, AquaInfo confirms it is an open substrate spawner with biparental care, making it one of the easier eartheaters to breed.

Sexing

Reliable external sexual differences are not detailed in the consulted sources for this species; pairs are most easily obtained by raising a group and allowing a pair to form. AquaInfo notes the species can begin spawning from about 10 cm in length.

Conditioning

An omnivore, the pearl eartheater is conditioned on a varied diet. It is tolerant of a wide range of conditions, so stable, clean water and a roomy tank with sand and rockwork are sufficient to bring a pair into spawning condition.

Breeding Setup

Provide smooth round stones or flat surfaces, and AquaInfo notes flower pots are also readily used. AquaInfo gives breeding-suitable conditions of about 20-23 C and pH 6-7 with GH/KH around 5-8; the species' broad tolerance makes it forgiving of minor deviations.

Spawning Behavior & Trigger

AquaInfo describes the pair digging and polishing a rock, on which the female deposits the eggs that the male fertilises. Nests can be very productive, containing as many as 600 to 800 eggs. A bonded pair and stable, clean water are the practical triggers.

Egg & Fry Care

According to AquaInfo the parents fiercely defend the eggs and fry against other fish. The fry can be raised on brine shrimp nauplii, moving on to larger foods as they grow.

Common Challenges

Breeding is generally straightforward, so the main issue is managing the parents' strong territorial aggression while guarding a brood, which can stress tankmates. Ample space and cover help keep aggression in check.