Dicrozoster Eartheater (Geophagus dicrozoster) Care Guide
Geophagus dicrozoster is a peaceful Orinoco eartheater from acidic blackwater that is kept in groups.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Geophagus dicrozoster is an eartheater cichlid from Venezuela, described by López-Fernández & Taphorn in 2004. Seriously Fish reports the largest type specimen at about 202 mm. It is a substrate-sifting species suited to soft, acidic water and group maintenance.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Subfamily: Geophaginae
- Genus: Geophagus
- Scientific name: Geophagus dicrozoster
Habitat
FishBase records the species from Venezuela. Seriously Fish details Orinoco basin tributaries including the ríos Cinaruco, Cataniapo, Ventuari and Atabapo, plus the Caura and Caroní systems on the Guyana Shield. It favours acidic blackwater with soft sandy or muddy substrates and occurs more in still lagoons than in river channels, often in loose aggregations.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 350 L
- Temperature: 26–30 °C (79–86 °F)
- pH: 5.0–6.8
- GH: 1–6 °dGH
- Group size: 5 or more individuals
- Lifespan: 8–12 years
Diet
Seriously Fish describes the species as a benthophagous substrate-sifter feeding on small invertebrates, seeds and organic detritus. In captivity it requires fine-grade prepared foods plus small live or frozen items such as bloodworm, Tubifex and Artemia, offered as multiple small meals.
Compatibility
Seriously Fish describes Geophagus dicrozoster as surprisingly peaceful outside breeding and unlikely to predate fish larger than a few millimetres. It is gregarious and should be kept in groups of at least five to eight individuals.
Breeding
According to Seriously Fish it is a substrate-spawning, larvophilous biparental mouthbrooder; eggs hatch in approximately 72 hours and both parents share brood care.
Conservation status
The IUCN Red List classifies Geophagus dicrozoster as Least Concern (assessed 28 October 2020).
Geophagus dicrozoster Breeding Guide
Overview
Geophagus dicrozoster is an eartheater from the Orinoco basin in Venezuela. According to Seriously Fish it is a substrate-spawning, larvophilous, biparental mouthbrooder that has been bred in aquaria: eggs are first laid on a surface and the larvae are taken into the mouth after hatching. This delayed (larvophilous) strategy contrasts with the sympatric G. abalios, an ovophilous (immediate) mouthbrooder.
Sexing
No external differences have been observed except during spawning, when the female's ovipositor is visible. Start with juveniles and allow pairs to form naturally rather than trying to sex young fish.
Conditioning
There is no specific spawning trigger. The main requirements are a good diet and a stringent maintenance regime involving relatively large weekly water changes.
Breeding Setup
- Soft sand with flat stones or driftwood as spawning sites
- Temperature: 26-30 °C (Seriously Fish maintenance range)
- pH: 4.0-7.0 (Seriously Fish)
- Hardness: ideally below 5 °dH (Seriously Fish)
- Large weekly water changes
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Courtship includes fin flaring, circling, gaping and head-jerking displays. The pair spawns on a cleaned surface; no particular environmental trigger is required beyond diet and maintenance.
Egg & Fry Care
Eggs hatch around 72 hours after spawning, and the larvae are picked up and brooded in the mouth. Fry become free-swimming at 8-11 days of age. Once free-swimming they accept powdered dry foods, Artemia nauplii and microworm. Parents shepherd the fry back into the mouth when sensing danger, with the time spent away from the parents increasing as the fry grow.
Common Challenges
In a community tank the fry become easy prey, so brooding females are best removed. Soft, very low-hardness water is preferred, demanding careful water preparation, and reliable sexing requires a group to obtain a pair.