Sven's Eartheater

Geophagus sveni

The *Geophagus sveni* is unquestionably one of the most spectacular and sought-after discoveries of the last decade among large South American cichlids. Described only in 2010, this adult 'Eartheater' is a dazzling spectacle: a high, compressed body adorned with sparkling alternating neon red, iridescent blue and gold stripes, surmounted by kilometer-long filamentous extensions on the red dorsal, caudal and pelvic fins. In addition to its unparalleled regal beauty, it possesses the typical and peaceful temperament of Geophagus: a 20 cm (8-inch) gentle giant that spends its days peacefully sifting the bottom sand in search of food.

Family: Cichlidae
Origin: Sud America (Medio corso del fiume Tocantins, Brasile)
Tank use: Used in 0 tanks

Temperature

25 °C - 30 °C

6 - 7.5

Water type

Freshwater

Tank level

Zona inferiore. Rimangono sempre a stretto contatto con il fondale sabbioso.

Adult size

20 cm

Description

The Most Colorful of the Group:

Until a few decades ago, the *Geophagus altifrons* or *surinamensis* (less showy) were the norm. The arrival of the *sveni* on the market has unseated the other variants: it has a lateral red and blue coloration so bright (especially under adequate lighting) that as an adult it is more reminiscent of a tropical coral reef fish than an Amazonian freshwater cichlid.

Care and observations

The Absolute Requirement: Fine Sand:

You cannot keep *Geophagus* without extremely fine filter sand. Their scientific name literally means "Eartheater". Their lifestyle consists of continuously plunging their huge mouth into the bottom and spitting out sand from their gills to eat what was hidden in it. If you use sharp gravel or crushed stone they will not be able to swallow it, they will die of stress and starvation, scratching their throats and getting infected. No fine sand, no Geophagus.

Titanic Dimensions and Overcrowding:

Do not buy them small forgetting that they will become 20-25 cm (8-10 inches) frying pans. And being strictly gregarious, you cannot buy just one (it would become depressed) but you must house AT LEAST 5 or 6. This means that your tank must measure one and a half meters (5 feet) in length and have a capacity of 400-500 liters (100-130 gallons), equipped with a colossal external filter to dispose of their considerable organic bioload.

Immaculate Water (Water Quality):

They are not fish resistant to organic pollution. They come from exceptionally pure South American rivers. They tolerate Nitrate levels above 15-20 ppm very poorly; otherwise they will quickly get the notorious "Hole in the Head" disease (HITH) or develop lethal pathologies to inflamed gills.

Fish profile

Temperament: Estremamente pacifico con specie diverse, moderatamente territoriale infragruppo. I maschi ingaggiano 'lip-locking' (prese per la bocca) e parate laterali con le pinne spiegate per stabilire la gerarchia, raramente ferendosi.
Diet: Bentonico / Geofago specializzato. Ingoiano enormi bocconi di sabbia, filtrano i macro-nutrienti (vermi, detriti vegetali, micro-crostacei) espellendo la sabbia pulita dalle branchie. Nutrire con chironomus congelato, artemia mysis e ottimi granuli affondanti morbidi mescolati alla sabbia.
Tank level: Zona inferiore. Rimangono sempre a stretto contatto con il fondale sabbioso.
Minimum group: 5
Adult size: 20 cm
Minimum tank: 400 L
GH: 2 dGH - 10 dGH
KH: n/a
TDS: n/a
Conductivity: n/a
Sex ratio: Gruppi misti. I maschi dominanti sono i pesci più belli del gruppo, leggermente più grandi, con filamenti delle pinne mostruosamente lunghi che si trascinano oltre la coda.
Feeding frequency: Piccole quantità 2-3 volte al giorno (in natura brucano costantemente senza sosta).
Bioload: Alto (banco di pesci grandi e pesanti)
Flow: Corrente da Debole a Moderata
Reproduction: Incubatori orali ritardati (Delayed mouthbrooders) biparentali. Depongono prima centinaia di uova su una pietra liscia (o foglia spessa). Dopo la schiusa, entrambi i genitori aspirano le larve in bocca per settimane proteggendole; rilasciano la nuvola di avannotti solo per farli mangiare, riaspirandoli al primo pericolo.
Compatibility: I giganti gentili ideali. Conviveranno in totale armonia con grandi Tetras di mezzo mondo (Bleeding Heart, Congo Tetras), Loricaridi, e Ciclidi Sudamericani dal carattere mite come Heros (Severum) o Mesonauta. Non abbinare MAI a ciclidi Centroamericani aggressivi (es. Jack Dempsey o Convict) che li farebbero a pezzi.

Image gallery

Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.