Redstriped eartheater
Geophagus surinamensis
Parameter dashboard
24-28 °C
6-7.5
17.2 cm
10 years
Care guide
The redstriped eartheater is a striking South American cichlid from Suriname, French Guiana, and Brazil, named for its characteristic behaviour of taking mouthfuls of sand and sifting them for edible items. It displays an attractive pattern of horizontal red-orange stripes along a silver-blue body, with extended fin rays in dominant males. Adults reach approximately 17 cm in standard length (25-30 cm total length), making them one of the larger Geophagus species.
Despite their size, eartheaters are generally peaceful cichlids suitable for community tanks with other non-aggressive, similarly-sized fish. They are best maintained in groups of 4-6 individuals, which promotes natural social behaviour and reduces any territorial aggression. A soft sand substrate is absolutely mandatory — sharp gravel will injure their mouths and gills during feeding. A tank of at least 300 litres with strong filtration, driftwood hiding places, and hardy potted plants (they will uproot delicate species) provides an ideal home. They are mouthbrooders: the female carries eggs and fry in her mouth for several weeks.
Water conditions: 24-28°C, pH 6.0-7.5, with soft to moderately hard water. Diet consists of quality sinking pellets, supplemented with frozen bloodworm, Artemia, and vegetable matter. They are not efficient surface feeders, so food should be allowed to sink. Regular weekly water changes of 20-30% are important to maintain good health. Aquarium lifespan estimates are around 10 years with suitable care.
Sources
- aquainfo.nl — https://aquainfo.nl/en/artikel/geophagus-surinamensis-redstriped-eartheater/
- fishbase.de — https://www.fishbase.de/summary/Geophagus-surinamensis.html
Further reading on identification and aquarium care.
Tankmate compatibility (sample)
Pairwise screening against other species in the database (prioritizing the same family when data is available).
Review first (12)
Caution or avoid from automated rules — confirm before mixing.
| Species | Assessment | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bluegray mbuna Melanochromis johannii Caution | Caution | Multiple territorial species in the same swim layer cause stress · Species with non-overlapping pH ranges may not thrive together · close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space Open pair in Compare → |
| Chessboard cichlid Dicrossus filamentosus Caution | Caution | Multiple territorial species in the same swim layer cause stress · the two share only a narrow band of temperature, so one of them sits at the edge of its range · close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space Open pair in Compare → |
| Cockatoo cichlid Apistogramma cacatuoides Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space · one is boisterous and the other a much smaller peaceful fish sharing the same floor, where it can be intimidated and outcompeted at feeding time Open pair in Compare → |
| Gold Cap Caudopunctatus Neolamprologus caudopunctatus Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · Multiple territorial species in the same swim layer cause stress · Species with non-overlapping pH ranges may not thrive together · the two share only a narrow band of temperature, so one of them sits at the edge of its range · close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space Open pair in Compare → |
| Gold Shell Dweller Lamprologus ocellatus Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · Species with non-overlapping pH ranges may not thrive together · close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space Open pair in Compare → |
| Hump-head Cyrtocara moorii Caution | Caution | Multiple territorial species in the same swim layer cause stress · Species with non-overlapping pH ranges may not thrive together · close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space Open pair in Compare → |
| Humphead cichlid Cyphotilapia frontosa Caution | Caution | Species with non-overlapping pH ranges may not thrive together · close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space Open pair in Compare → |
| Panda Uaru Uaru fernandezyepezi Caution | Caution | the two share only a narrow band of temperature, so one of them sits at the edge of its range · close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space Open pair in Compare → |
| Rainbow krib Pelvicachromis pulcher Caution | Caution | close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space Open pair in Compare → |
| Ram cichlid Mikrogeophagus ramirezi Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · the two share only a narrow band of temperature, so one of them sits at the edge of its range · close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space Open pair in Compare → |
| Umbrella cichlid Apistogramma borellii Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space · one is boisterous and the other a much smaller peaceful fish sharing the same floor, where it can be intimidated and outcompeted at feeding time Open pair in Compare → |
| Green terror Andinoacara rivulatus Avoid | Avoid | Species with non-overlapping temperature ranges cannot coexist · the two share only a narrow band of temperature, so one of them sits at the edge of its range · close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space Open pair in Compare → |
Same rule engine as Compare. Not a substitute for observation, tank size, or acclimation.
Related species
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