{"product_id":"gold-dust-geophagus-geophagus-alto-sinu","title":"Gold Dust Geophagus | Geophagus 'Alto Sinu'","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Gold Dust Geophagus shimmers with metallic gold scaling and the gentle, sand-sifting manners the genus is loved for. An undescribed eartheater from Colombia, it is a peaceful, glittering cichlid that spends its day mouthing fine sand for food. Reaching around 20–25 cm, it makes a graceful, good-natured centrepiece for a large, soft-water community.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eNative to the Río Sinú drainage in northern Colombia, South America, in warm rivers with sandy beds and gentle to moderate flow. It forages in loose groups over open sand, sifting the substrate for small food items.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA tall, elegant eartheater with a sloping forehead and long, flowing finnage on mature fish. The body is dusted with rows of metallic gold and green spangles that catch the light, deepening in colour as the fish matures and settles.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePeaceful and social, best kept in a group of five or more to spread mild squabbling and encourage natural behaviour. It becomes territorial only around breeding and mixes well with other calm, medium-sized soft-water fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn omnivore that sifts sand for small invertebrates and organic matter. Feed a quality sinking pellet or granule alongside frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp and mysis. A soft sandy substrate is essential so it can feed naturally without damaging its mouth or gills.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBest suited to intermediate keepers. It needs a large tank with a deep, soft sand bed, driftwood and open foraging space, plus warm, clean, well-filtered water. It is sensitive to poor water quality and nitrate, so steady filtration and regular water changes are important.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eLike many Geophagus, it is a biparental substrate-spawner that may take up eggs or larvae to brood, with the pair sharing guarding duties. A settled group in warm, clean water and a firm spawning surface gives the best chance of success.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGeophagus sp. 'Alto Sinú'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGold Dust Eartheater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRío Sinú drainage, northern Colombia, South America\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20–25 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8–10 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful (territorial when breeding)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e250 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e450+ litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore (sand-sifter)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–28 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.5–7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2–12 dGH (soft to moderate)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLarge, soft-substrate South American aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMostly (sifts sand but does not usually eat plants)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePeaceful, medium soft-water fish such as larger tetras, rainbowfish, severums, angelfish, other eartheaters, peaceful catfish and Corydoras that share its warm, clean water.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAggressive or boisterous cichlids, hard-water species, fin-nippers, and very small fish that may be outcompeted at feeding time.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232806093091,"sku":null,"price":40.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232806125859,"sku":"AA3342","price":45.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232806158627,"sku":null,"price":50.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Gold_Dust_Geophagus_8231222e-f505-4320-9fad-afd2f7be1850.jpg?v=1781699428","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/gold-dust-geophagus-geophagus-alto-sinu","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}