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Pearl Eartheater
Geophagus brasiliensis
- Temperature
- 18–28 °C
- pH
- 6 – 8
- Min. tank size
- 304 L
- Lifespan
- 10-15 years
- Diet
- omnivore
- Care level
- moderate
| Scientific classification | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name: | Geophagus brasiliensis |
| Family: | Cichlidae |
| Origin: | South America (coastal drainages of eastern Brazil and Uruguay) |
| Care Characteristics | |
| Care Level: | moderate |
| Diet: | omnivore |
| Max Size: | 28.00 cm |
| Water Type: | freshwater |
| Temp Group: | subtropical |
| Temperament: | semi aggressive |
| Min Group: | 5+ together |
| Varieties: | No cultivated strains, but substantial geographic variation — the species has an enormous range down the Brazilian coastal drainages, and populations differ in ground colour, in the intensity of the pearl spangling and in adult size. Fish are sometimes traded with a collection locality attached, and these are worth keeping separate rather than mixing. Taxonomy is unsettled. Geophagus brasiliensis as currently understood is widely regarded as a species complex, and several populations will likely be described separately in time. The genus assignment has also moved, with some authorities placing this group in Australoheros-adjacent lineages and others retaining Geophagus. Related fish in the trade include Geophagus altifrons, G. steindachneri and the redhump eartheater, all of which are mouthbrooders, and Satanoperca species, which are more delicate and more strictly sand-sifting. Among the eartheaters this is the hardy one — the widest tolerances, the toughest constitution and the least demanding water — and correspondingly the least suited to a shared community tank. |
| Lifespan: | 10-15 years |
Quick Tips
- Bioload:High
- Min Tank:304 L
- Substrate:Soft sand (essential - it sifts mouthfuls); rocks and driftwood
- Plant Safe:Not reliably plant-safe (sifts sand and uproots)
- Filtration:High (large, messy sand-sifter)
Pearl Eartheater (Geophagus brasiliensis) is a species of fish in the family Cichlidae. It is native to South America (coastal drainages of eastern Brazil and Uruguay). The pearl eartheater is the hardiest and most widely distributed of the Geophagus, and the one least like the rest of them. It reaches 250 mm standard length, which makes it a large fish, and it is covered in the iridescent blue-green spangling that gives the group its "pearl" names. Mature males develop extended finnage and considerable bulk. Two things separate it from its relatives. It sifts substrate less than other Geophagus, spending more time foraging in the open water column and over surfaces. And it is a biparental substrate spawner rather than a mouthbrooder — most of the popular Geophagus carry eggs and fry in the mouth, and this one does not. It is also not a community fish. Specialists are clear that it is unsuitable for the general community aquarium, and it needs at least 304 litres.
Compatibility
- Temperament
- semi aggressive
- Keep in
- Groups of 5+
- Swims
- bottom
- Fin nipper
- No
- Delicate fins
- No
Species similar to Pearl Eartheater
Matched on family, then category, then water type