Common Eartheater (Geophagus proximus) Care Guide
Geophagus proximus is a hardy Amazon eartheater often confused with G. surinamensis in the trade, best kept in groups.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Geophagus proximus is an Amazonian eartheater cichlid widely available to aquarists. Seriously Fish reports a maximum of about 200–225 mm standard length. It is frequently confused with G. surinamensis in the trade, where related species are often shipped under that name.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Subfamily: Geophaginae
- Genus: Geophagus
- Scientific name: Geophagus proximus
Habitat
Seriously Fish reports the species from the Rio Amazonas system in Peru and Brazil, including the Río Ucayali, the Solimões–Amazon mainstream and the rio Trombetas with its tributaries. It occupies lower river reaches and floodplain lakes with clear or black water over sandy, gravelly or muddy substrates in marginal zones.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 350 L
- Temperature: 24–29 °C (75–84 °F)
- pH: 5.5–7.5
- GH: 2–12 °dGH
- Group size: 5 or more individuals
- Lifespan: 8–12 years
Diet
Seriously Fish describes the species as feeding on small aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates, plant material and detritus. In the aquarium it accepts fine-grade prepared foods plus small live or frozen items such as bloodworm, Tubifex and Artemia.
Compatibility
Seriously Fish describes Geophagus proximus 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 over a sand substrate.
Breeding
According to Seriously Fish, Geophagus proximus is a substrate-spawning, ovophilous biparental mouthbrooder, producing broods of up to roughly 200 eggs.
Geophagus proximus Breeding Guide
Overview
Geophagus proximus is an adaptable eartheater from the Amazon River system in Peru and Brazil, recorded from the Rio Ucayali to the Rio Trombetas near Santarem. According to Seriously Fish it is a substrate-spawning, ovophilous, biparental mouthbrooder that has been bred in aquaria, often traded under the name surinamensis.
Sexing
Accurate sexing is difficult in juveniles. Mature males are slightly larger with longer fins, and dominant males may develop a nuchal hump; the female shows a visible ovipositor when spawning. Raising a group and letting pairs form is the reliable route.
Conditioning
There is no specific spawning trigger. A good diet and a stringent maintenance regime with relatively large weekly water changes are the primary requirements to bring adults into condition.
Breeding Setup
- Soft sandy substrate with a flat rock or driftwood spawning site; a tank base of at least 180 × 60 cm
- Temperature: 24-29 °C (KB record range)
- pH: 5.5-7.5 (KB record range)
- Hardness: 2-12 °dGH (KB record range)
- Large weekly water changes
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Courtship involves fin flaring, circling, gaping and head-jerking displays. The pair selects a flat rock, driftwood or the tank base, cleans and defends it, then spawns in typical substrate-spawning fashion with repeated cycles over several hours. No specific trigger is identified.
Egg & Fry Care
Maximum brood size is around 200 eggs. Females typically hold the eggs initially while males defend the territory, though brooding may be shared simultaneously or exchanged daily. Fry become free-swimming at 8-11 days at 25-28 °C; once free-swimming the parents gradually release them for longer feeding periods and the fry return to the mouth when threatened.
Common Challenges
Because the trade name often masks the true species, confirming identity helps set correct expectations. The fish needs a large footprint and soft sand; in community tanks the brood is vulnerable, so protecting fry or isolating the brooding pair improves yield.