Description
General Information:
Geophagus steindachneri, commonly called the Redhump Eartheater, is a large, graceful cichlid from the Amazon Basin known for its distinctive red forehead hump (especially in mature males) and its habit of sifting substrate for food. Its calm demeanour and fascinating feeding behaviour make it a captivating centrepiece in spacious South American biotope aquariums. Though peaceful, its size and substrate-sifting require careful tank design and maintenance.
Species Overview:
Common Name: Redhump Eartheater
Scientific Name: Geophagus steindachneri
Origin: Amazon Basin (Brazil, Peru)
Diet: Omnivorous (prefers benthic invertebrates and detritus)
pH Range: 6.0–7.5
Temperature: 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
Max Size: 25–30 cm (10–12 in)
Tank Size: Minimum 200 L (50 gal), ideally 300 L+
Water Quality:
Redhump Eartheaters thrive in soft to moderately hard water with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Provide excellent filtration to handle their high bioload and frequent substrate disturbance. Aim for gentle water flow, replicate seasonal leaf litter by adding Indian almond leaves or driftwood, and perform weekly 25–30% water changes to maintain clarity.
Feeding:
Offer a varied diet of high-quality sinking pellets, granules, and frozen or live foods such as bloodworms, brine shrimp, and tubifex. Supplement with vegetable matter—blanched zucchini or spinach—and occasional earthworms to mimic their natural benthic foraging. Feed once or twice daily in amounts they can sift and fully consume within a few minutes.
Tank Mates:
Ideal companions include other large, peaceful South American cichlids (e.g., Symphysodon, Uaru, Satanoperca) and robust catfish like Plecos and large Corydoras. Avoid small or timid fish that may be outcompeted during feeding or stressed by substrate activity. Provide open swimming areas and defined sandy foraging zones to reduce territorial conflicts.
Sexing:
Mature males develop a pronounced red or orange nuchal hump and may exhibit slightly more intense body colouration. Females remain more streamlined, with subtler hues and a smaller or absent hump. During breeding, both sexes develop breeding tubercles on the head and opercular region, aiding in sex identification.
Breeding:
Redhump Eartheaters are substrate spawners that form monogamous pairs. They excavate shallow pits in soft sand or fine gravel, where the female lays adhesive eggs. Both parents guard and fan the eggs; after hatching, fry are moved to a secondary pit and continue to be protected. A separate breeding tank with soft substrate and flat stones promotes higher success.
Maximum Size and Longevity:
With proper care, they can reach up to 30 cm and live 10–12 years. Their longevity hinges on spacious, well-filtered tanks, a varied diet, and stable water conditions.
Fun Fact:
Unlike many cichlids that peck at rocks, Redhump Eartheaters literally “eat” the earth—sifting mouthfuls of sand or gravel to extract edible microorganisms, then expelling the cleaned substrate through their gills!
