Geophagus steindachneri

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1 Geophagus steindachneri
2 Location
3 Care & Breeding
4 References

[edit] Geophagus steindachneri

"Geophagus steindachneri" is a South American Eartheater Cichlid of the genus Geophagus. It is commonly referred to as the Red Hump Eartheater.

[edit] Location

"G. steindachneri" is native to river drainages and lakes in South America, particularly Colombia and Venezuela. It lives in water that is slightly acidic to neutral (6.5 to 7.0 pH) and about 24 to 26 degrees Celsius (75-79 F).

[edit] Care & Breeding

"G. steindachneri" is relatively easy to maintain in the aquarium. Adults should be kept in aquariums of at least 200 liters (50 gallons); juveniles in no less than 110 liters (30 gallons). "G. steindachneri" readily accepts most types of prepared foods, as well as finely chopped vegetables, shelled peas, frozen bloodworms, and blackworms. This fish has a habit of taking substrate into its mouth and spitting it back out or sifting it through its gills. It is likely to uproot aquarium plants if they are not secured or established. "G. steindachneri" tends to be aggressive toward conspecifics, especially large males. Adult males of this species will not tolerate other males or females carrying a brood. Females can be kept in groups, but will become aggressive in smaller aquariums.

These fish grow relatively quickly, and can be sexed as subadults. Sexual dimorphism is clear - males have a large, red nuptial hump on their heads and grow larger than the females. Mature males will develop an iridescence on the scales on their sides and very large humps. "G. steindachneri" is easy to breed and will condition rapidly on a diet of frozen and live foods. Males will display to females by opening their mouths and flaring their gills. Spawning takes place on a smooth rock or clean sand bed. The female will immediately take the eggs into her mouth and will carry them until they are free-swimming and have absorbed their yolk sacs, approximately 2-3 weeks. She will accept little to no food during this period. Eventually, she will release them and allow them to search for food, taking them back into her mouth when threatened. At this point, the breeder may choose to strip the young from the female's mouth and separate them so that she will eat again.