{"product_id":"bandit-cichlid-guianacara-geayi","title":"Bandit Cichlid | Guianacara geayi","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Bandit Cichlid wears a smart black eye-mask and a matching saddle across a pearly, high-backed body — a distinctive, slightly different cichlid for the soft-water tank. Peaceful and rather shy for its size, it is an eartheater-style sand-sifter reaching around 12–15 cm. Best kept in a group, it makes a characterful, understated centrepiece.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eGuianacara geayi is a South American cichlid from the rivers of French Guiana and northern Brazil, where it lives over sand and among rocks and roots in soft, warm, slightly acidic water. It sifts sand for food like an eartheater. Fine sand, driftwood, smooth rocks and gentle planting recreate its home and let it forage naturally.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA stocky, high-backed cichlid in pearly grey-gold, marked by a bold black bar through the eye and a dark blotch or saddle on the mid-body, with subtle iridescence in the fins. Males grow a little larger with more extended finnage. Markings sharpen and colour warms in a settled fish over dark sand.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eRelatively peaceful and even a little shy, though it becomes territorial when spawning. It is best kept in a group of six or more, which settles its behaviour, and mixes well with other calm, medium-sized South American fish. Provide caves, rockwork and broken sight lines so individuals and pairs can hold small territories.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAn omnivore and natural sand-sifter that takes quality cichlid pellets and flake, and relishes frozen and live foods such as bloodworm, brine shrimp and small invertebrates. A fine sand bed lets it sift naturally. Feed a varied diet and ensure this sometimes-timid fish gets its share.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of around 200 L for a group. Keep temperature at 24–28 °C, pH 6.0–7.2 and soft to moderately soft water, around GH 3–12. Use a fine sand substrate for natural sifting, with smooth rocks, driftwood and caves. It may rearrange décor and shift sand around plants, but generally leaves robust plants alone. Keep water clean and stable.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA cave-spawning, biparental cichlid. A bonded pair spawns inside a cave or under a rock overhang, and both parents guard the eggs and shepherd the fry. Pairs form naturally from a group. Soft, warm, clean water and a settled pair give the best results, and the parents make a rewarding sight tending their brood.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003ctable\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGuianacara geayi\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBandit Cichlid\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFrench Guiana and northern Brazil (South America)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 12–15 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8–10 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSemi-aggressive (territorial when breeding)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e200 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e250 L or larger for a group\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore (sand-sifter): cichlid pellets, flake, frozen and live foods\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–28 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.0–7.2\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoft to moderate, around 3–12 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoft-water South American community aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes (with robust plants; may shift sand and rearrange décor)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003c\/table\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include other calm, medium-sized South American fish such as larger tetras, peaceful eartheaters, corydoras, and other similarly tempered cichlids.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with aggressive or much larger cichlids, boisterous fin-nippers, and very small fish that may be intimidated. Avoid hard, alkaline water.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232808648995,"sku":"AA1511","price":24.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232808681763,"sku":"AA1511-M","price":29.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232808714531,"sku":"AA1511-L","price":34.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/bandit-cichlid-guianacara-ge-43887091417379.webp?v=1790306325","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/bandit-cichlid-guianacara-geayi","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}