{"product_id":"orange-head-tapajo-pair-geophagus-sp-tapajos","title":"Orange Head Tapajo Pair | Geophagus sp. 'Tapajos'","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a bonded pair of the Orange Head Tapajos, one of the most beautiful and peaceful South American eartheaters. Glowing orange foreheads sit above pearlescent, blue-flecked bodies, and the pair will constantly sift mouthfuls of sand in search of food. Reaching around 15 cm, they are an elegant, characterful centrepiece for a soft-water display and offer the bonus of fascinating parental behaviour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGeophagus sp. 'Tapajos' comes from the clear, warm, soft and slightly acidic waters of the Rio Tapajós and associated tributaries in the Amazon basin of Brazil. These fish live over sandy substrates that they constantly sift for small invertebrates, so a fine sand bed and warm, clean water are essential to keeping them well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Orange Head Tapajos has a fiery orange to red head that contrasts with a silvery, pearl-spangled body marked with rows of iridescent blue-green spots and faint vertical bars. Fins are trimmed with blue and orange, and colour intensifies dramatically when the fish are settled, well-fed and in soft water. This is a true pair, so one fish is typically slightly larger and bolder than the other.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTapajos are among the most peaceful of the larger cichlids, spending their time grazing the substrate rather than defending territory. A bonded pair will become more territorial around a spawning site but remains gentle by cichlid standards. They are best kept in a group or with peaceful mid-water dither fish that help them feel secure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn omnivorous sand-sifter that takes mouthfuls of substrate and expels it through the gills, sorting out edible morsels. Feed sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp and similar foods; avoid too many rich, dry foods, as this genus is prone to bloat. A fine sand bed lets them feed naturally, which is important for their health.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProvide a spacious tank of at least 200 litres (300 litres-plus for a group) with a fine sand substrate, gentle current, driftwood and clean, warm, soft water. They are sensitive to poor water quality and nitrate, so efficient filtration and regular water changes are essential. This is an intermediate species, mostly because of its need for pristine, soft, warm water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOrange Head Tapajos are biparental, delayed mouthbrooders: the pair spawns on a cleaned surface, then takes the eggs and fry into their mouths for protection, releasing free-swimming young to forage under guard. A settled, bonded pair such as this one may spawn readily in soft, warm water, and both parents share the care.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGeophagus sp. 'Tapajos' (Orange Head)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrange Head Tapajos, Tapajos Eartheater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRio Tapajós, Amazon basin, Brazil\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 15 cm (occasionally to 18 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 only 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\u003e200 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e300 litres or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore – sand-sifting; sinking pellets and frozen foods\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e26–30 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5.5–7.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2–8 dGH (soft)\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\u003eSoft-water South American community and cichlid 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 – does not eat plants but may unsettle shallow-rooted ones while sifting sand\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeaceful South American fish such as tetras, pencilfish, larger rasboras, other Geophagus, Corydoras and peaceful mid-water dithers. They also suit calm, soft-water community tanks with plenty of open sand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAggressive or boisterous cichlids, hard-water Rift Lake species, fin-nippers, and anything that will outcompete these gentle feeders at mealtimes.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232814219555,"sku":"BA9338-S","price":75.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232814252323,"sku":"BA9338-M","price":85.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232814285091,"sku":"BA9338","price":100.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/orange-head-tapajo-pair-geophagus-sp-tapajos","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}