Geophagus pellegrini Care Guide
Geophagus pellegrini is a Colombian eartheater cichlid that sifts sand for food. A maternal mouthbrooder for soft, warm water aquaria.
Overview
Geophagus pellegrini, the Yellowhump Eartheater, is a cichlid endemic to northwestern Colombia. The genus name means earth-eater, referring to the habit of sifting substrate for food. It is a benthic-feeding species with a relatively low trophic level.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Geophagus
- Scientific name: Geophagus pellegrini
- Described: Regan, 1912
Habitat
The species occurs in the Atrato, San Juan and Baudó river basins of Colombia. It inhabits forest streams ranging from narrow shallow channels to wider waterways, favouring areas with dense marginal vegetation, clear to moderate flow, and substrates of sand, gravel and organic debris.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 300 L
- Temperature: 25-30 °C (77-86 °F)
- pH: 5.0-6.0
- Substrate: soft sand to allow natural sifting
- Lifespan: 8-12 years
Diet
Geophagus pellegrini is a benthophagous sand-sifter that takes mouthfuls of substrate and filters edible items. It should be offered several small meals daily, including fine prepared foods plus small live or frozen bloodworm, Tubifex and Artemia, along with some vegetable matter such as Spirulina.
Compatibility
The species is surprisingly peaceful outside the breeding season and does not prey on fish larger than a few millimetres. Males may become territorial when spawning. It is a bottom-dwelling fish suited to communities of compatible South American species over a sandy floor.
Breeding
Geophagus pellegrini is a maternal mouthbrooder. The female carries the developing brood, and males may spawn with several females where these are abundant; pair bonds are weak and form only around spawning.